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Function of vitamins. The main functions of vitamins in the human body

Of course, everyone knows that forThe body needs vitamins to function normally. We are regularly told about the need to eat fruits and vegetables, they say, they are replete with useful substances. We often hear that during the period of seasonal “dominance” of viruses and bacteria, as well as after physical and mental stress, we need to compensate for the deficiency of vitamins, micro- and macroelements. And sometimes a simple man in the street does not know why it is needed. The thing is that not everyone knows what the function of vitamins in the human body is.

Who needs them first?

Surely few people dare to challenge the factthat nutrients are necessary for everyone. The function of vitamins is to maintain the body’s normal health. Their deficiency leads to poor health, which leads to diseases of various types. One way or another, there are categories of people for whom vital substances are vital: children, adolescents, the sick, pregnant and lactating women.

Однако это вовсе не значит, что другие люди могут do without them. The fact is that another important function of vitamins is the strengthening of immunity, which means that everyone who cares about their own health is obliged to take them regularly. However, before we consider the question of what role the above-mentioned substances play in our body, we will determine what they are.

What do we know about them?

Vitamins are a special kind of organic compounds that the body cannot produce on its own. Naturally, this deficiency is compensated with food.

It should be noted that the function of vitamins is different,depending on the structure of the chemical compound. In particular, there are acids, such as, for example, vitamin "C". There are also salts - vitamin "B15". Vitamin A is one of the high molecular weight alcohols that are also sensitive to oxygen and heat.

One part of the vitamins is a homogeneous chemical compounds, and the other - vitamins "B", "C", "D" - consists of many chemicals.

How do they act?

And yet, let's move on to the main question: “What are the functions of vitamins?”

Практически все они имеют низкий молекулярный вес.What does it mean? Only that the main functions of vitamins are complex constructions of all the processes occurring in our body. Despite the fact that we need only a small concentration of nutrients, we need vitamins, first of all, because they play a primary role in metabolism, which is a complex system for converting food from the outside in the form of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, salts, vitamins and water. First, the food is crushed, then digested during organic changes, and at the final stage it is transformed into building material to form new molecules or converted into energy. It must be emphasized that the supply of building material for cells and providing them with energy is not a function of vitamins. They only control that the metabolic processes in the body proceeded normally. Due to the above-mentioned beneficial substances in our body, biochemical reactions are possible. Their action is equivalent to the action of water, which, having a rarefied structure, can leak into all tissues and organs.

And yet, why are they so needed?

In the figurative sense of the word, the organism is a huge chemical enterprise, where energy production and the manufacture of building material for the cells of the body are carried out.

Vitamins are an integral part of allliving beings, they are needed to activate chemical reactions in our tissues. In other words, they act as a catalyst, not directly participating in these reactions. In particular, they “track” the breakdown of food into soluble and simple components, and “control” it so that simple substances are transformed into an energy source. Of course, these are the unique and vital functions of vitamins in the human body. They seem to act as managers: they do not take direct part in the work, but their presence ensures the smooth and normal functioning of the vital activity systems. This is what invaluable help is provided for our health by vitamins, the functions in the body of which are not limited to this. On top of that, they activate the formation of enzymes. Speaking in the role of coenzyme, vitamin is very mobile: under its influence all processes in the body proceed very quickly, for example, when it comes to splitting starch.

As already noted, each group of the abovebeneficial substances affect certain organs and tissues, and their deficiency can lead to impairment of health. So, we have considered two main questions, namely: why vitamins, functions of vitamins are so important for a person. Avitaminosis, unfortunately, is not uncommon now.

Vitamin A"

First of all, it promotes the growth of a young body, improves the condition of the epithelium, affects the formation of the skeleton.

In symbiosis with vitamin C, vitamin A reduces the level of lipids and cholesterol in the blood. Deficiency of this substance leads to dysfunction of the liver, adrenal glands and thyroid gland.

Vitamin B1

It controls fat, protein metabolism, synthesis of fatty acids, as well as activates the process of converting carbohydrates into fat. In addition, vitamin B1 improves the functioning of the digestive organs and the heart.

Vitamin B2

This organic compound contributes to the conversion of fats and carbohydrates into energy. It is from its quantity that the temperament and energy of a person depend.

Vitamin B3

It also has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the thyroid gland, liver and adrenal glands. Also, vitamin B3 normalizes the function of the nervous system, with its deficiency a person has a feeling of anxiety.