Vitamin Overview

Vitamins are a class of micronutrients, meaning we only need them in small amounts, that are vitally important for human health. Many of these vitamins function as cofactors for enzymes. Enzymes are proteins which catalyze chemical reactions in the body. A cofactor is a chemical that is necessary for an enzyme to properly function. 

Many of the vitamins we need, such as vitamins B6 and B12, act as cofactors crucial to enzyme function, or otherwise help enzymes function properly. For example, vitamin C is a crucial component in collagen synthesis. Collagen is the molecule that keeps skin flexible and pliable. Without vitamin C, the body cannot produce collagen and the skin becomes fragile, leading to a condition known as scurvy. 

Other vitamins, like vitamin E, function as antioxidants, scavenging harmful chemicals from our system before they can damage our DNA or cells. Some vitamins have very specific, specialized functions, such as vitamin A having a role in vision. All vitamins have a condition associated with a deficiency, such as beriberi for vitamin A. 

Some vitamins also have a condition associated with an overdose, although getting a vitamin overdose from food sources is exceedingly rare, and generally only happens through a misuse of supplements. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble vitamins, while vitamin C and the B-complex vitamins are water-soluble.