Main content

    Health Information

    Vitamins: Their Functions and Sources

    Vitamins: Their Functions and Sources



    Topic Overview

    The tables below list the Reference vitamins Opens New Window, what they do in the body (their functions), and their sources in food.

    Water-soluble vitamins

    Water-soluble vitamins travel freely through the body, and excess amounts usually are excreted by the kidneys. The body needs water-soluble vitamins in frequent, small doses. These vitamins are not as likely as fat-soluble vitamins to reach toxic levels. But niacin, vitamin B6, folate, choline, and vitamin C have upper consumption limits. Vitamin B6 at high levels over a long period of time has been shown to cause irreversible nerve damage.

    A balanced diet usually provides enough of these vitamins. People older than 50 and some vegetarians may need to use supplements to get enough B12.

    Water-soluble vitamins
    Nutrient Function Sources

    Thiamine (vitamin B1)

    Part of an Reference enzyme Opens New Window needed for energy metabolism; important to nerve function

    Found in all nutritious foods in moderate amounts: pork, whole-grain or enriched breads and cereals, legumes, nuts and seeds

    Reference Riboflavin Opens New Window (vitamin B2)

    Part of an enzyme needed for energy metabolism; important for normal vision and skin health

    Milk and milk products; leafy green vegetables; whole-grain, enriched breads and cereals

    Niacin (vitamin B3)

    Part of an enzyme needed for energy metabolism; important for nervous system, digestive system, and skin health

    Meat, poultry, fish, whole-grain or enriched breads and cereals, vegetables (especially mushrooms, asparagus, and leafy green vegetables), peanut butter

    Pantothenic acid

    Part of an enzyme needed for energy metabolism

    Widespread in foods

    Biotin

    Part of an enzyme needed for energy metabolism

    Widespread in foods; also produced in intestinal tract by bacteria

    Pyridoxine (vitamin B6)

    Part of an enzyme needed for protein metabolism; helps make Reference red blood cells Opens New Window

    Meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, fruits

    Reference Folic acid Opens New Window

    Part of an enzyme needed for making Reference DNA Opens New Window and new cells, especially red blood cells

    Leafy green vegetables and legumes, seeds, orange juice, and liver; now added to most refined grains

    Cobalamin (vitamin B12)

    Part of an enzyme needed for making new cells; important to nerve function

    Meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, milk and milk products; not found in plant foods

    Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

    Reference Antioxidant Opens New Window; part of an enzyme needed for protein metabolism; important for immune system health; aids in iron absorption

    Found only in fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, vegetables in the cabbage family, cantaloupe, strawberries, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, papayas, mangoes, kiwifruit

    Fat-soluble vitamins

    Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body's cells and are not excreted as easily as water-soluble vitamins. They do not need to be consumed as often as water-soluble vitamins, although adequate amounts are needed. If you take too much of a fat-soluble vitamin, it could become toxic. Your body is especially sensitive to too much vitamin A from animal sources (retinol) and too much vitamin D. A balanced diet usually provides enough fat-soluble vitamins.

    Fat-soluble vitamins
    Nutrient Function Sources

    Vitamin A (and its precursor*, beta-carotene)

    *A precursor is converted by the body to the vitamin.

    Needed for vision, healthy skin and mucous membranes, bone and tooth growth, immune system health

    Vitamin A from animal sources (retinol): fortified milk, cheese, cream, butter, fortified margarine, eggs, liver

    Beta-carotene (from plant sources): Leafy, dark green vegetables; dark orange fruits (apricots, cantaloupe) and vegetables (carrots, winter squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin)

    Vitamin D

    Needed for proper absorption of Reference calcium Opens New Window; stored in bones

    Egg yolks, liver, fatty fish, fortified milk, fortified margarine. When exposed to sunlight, the skin can make vitamin D.

    Vitamin E

    Antioxidant; protects cell walls

    Polyunsaturated plant oils (soybean, corn, cottonseed, safflower); leafy green vegetables; wheat germ; whole-grain products; liver; egg yolks; nuts and seeds

    Vitamin K

    Needed for proper blood clotting

    Leafy green vegetables and vegetables in the cabbage family; milk; also produced in Reference intestinal Opens New Window tract by bacteria



    By: Reference Healthwise Staff Last Revised: Reference February 4, 2011
    Medical Review: Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
    Reference Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator


    This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.


    Topic Contents