VitaminE

Vitamine is a term traditionally used to describe a group of organic compounds necessary in small amounts for normal metabolism. In English, the standard term is vitamin, while vitamine appears in some languages or older texts. Most vitamins cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities by the human body and must be obtained from the diet, sometimes through fortified foods or supplements.

Vitamins are commonly categorized by solubility into fat-soluble and water-soluble groups. Fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K, are stored in fat tissue and the liver and can accumulate with excessive intake. Water-soluble vitamins, including the B-complex vitamins (such as B1 thiamin, B2 riboflavin, B3 niacin, B5 pantothenic acid, B6 pyridoxine, B7 biotin, B9 folate, B12 cobalamin) and vitamin C, are generally not stored to a large extent and are excreted in urine, necessitating regular dietary intake.

Functions of vitamins range from roles as enzyme cofactors and antioxidants to involvement in vision, bone health, immune function, and blood formation. Deficiencies can cause diseases such as scurvy (vitamin C), rickets (vitamin D), pellagra (niacin), beriberi (thiamin), and pernicious anemia (vitamin B12). Adequate intake supports growth, reproduction, and maintenance of health across life stages.

Dietary sources are varied: fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, fortified foods, and animal products. Recommended intakes vary by age, sex, pregnancy, and health status. Excessive intake of fat-soluble vitamins can lead to toxicity, while high doses of some water-soluble vitamins may cause adverse effects with prolonged supplementation.