[STUDY] USE OF ENGLISH1. NETM 1996

Vitamins are organic compounds necessary in small amounts in the diet for the normal growth and maintenance of life of animals, including man.

They do not provide energy, nor do they construct or build any part of the body. They are needed for transforming foods into energy and body maintenance. There are thirteen or more of them, and if any is missing a deficiency disease becomes apparent.

Vitamins are similar because they are made of the same elements-usually carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and sometimes nitrogen. They are different in that elements are arranged differently, and each vitamin performs one or more specific functions in the body.

Getting enough vitamins is essential to life, although the body has no nutritional use for excess vitamins. Many people, nevertheless, believe in being on the “safe side ”and thus take extra vitamins. However, a well balanced diet will usually meet all the body’s vitamins needs.