Water Soluble Vitamins: In the previous article B-complex vitamins were given. The last vitamin was vitamin- B12. The deficiency of cyanacobalamin causes various problems. Some of them are related to blood cell production , epithelial cells may be affected and also debility.

Folic acid: It is also known as PGA. PGA stands for pteryl glutamic acid. Folic acid is present in green vegetables, yeast and also liver. Folic acid is required by all body tissues. The deficiency of folic acid causes anaemia, diarrhoea and problems related to mouth. Iron and folic acid demand increases in pregnant ladies.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid. It is also water soluble vitamin. It is present in various citrus fruits. Guava also contains vitamin C. Amla also contains vitamin C. The demand of vitamin C increases during stress, strain and during convalescence.

Fat Soluble Vitamins:

Fat soluble vitamins are vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Vitamin K.

Vitamin A: Retinal is the other name for vitamin A. Carrots, green vegetables are sources of vitamin A. It is also present in butter, cheese, egg and milk. Vitamin A is also available in Cod, liver etc., The daily requirement of Vitamin A is 6ooo I. U. in adults. It is helpful in dark adaptation and night vision. Vitamin A also maintains the structural and functional integrity of epithelial cells in the body. The deficiency of vitamin A causes night blindness, dry conjunctiva, dry cornea and ultimately blindness may occur. Deficiency of vitamin A is common in various diseases. (Deficiency of Vitamin is also known as Avitaminosis A).Excess intake of Vitamin A also causes problems. It may be acute or chronic. It is known as hypervitaminosis A. Excess of Vitamin A causes nausea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen, headache, etc.,

Vitamin D: Vitamin D contains a group of sterols that prevent rickets. The vitamin is a fat soluble vitamin. Vitamin D increases the absoption of calciun and phosphorus. Vitamin D also helps in calcium absorption and proper bone formation. The daily requirement of vitamin D may be 600 + or – 200 units. The deficiency of vitamin D in adults causes osteomalecia and in childrenc causes rickets. Excessive amounts of intake of vitamin D is known as hypervitaminosis D. The result is hypercalcimia. The symptoms of hypercalcimia are weakness, headache, diarrhoea, nausea and vomting etc.,

Vitamin K: Vitamin K helps in the synthesis of prothrombin. Liver diseases, Jaundice cause deficiency of vitamin K. The vitamin K plays an important role in the process of blood clotting.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is present in green leaves of lettuce, rice germ oil, wheat germ oil and soyabean oil. This vitamin is very useful to males and females. This vitamin is used in strility.

Thus water soluble vitamins and fat soluble vitamins play an important role in day to day life. Proper intake of vitamins is necessary to prevent deficiency diseases.