What Are Vitamins ?

1. What Are Vitamins? A substance can be classified as vitamin as it satisfies 2 criteria. vitamin must be a vital, organic dietary substance, which is neither a carbohydrate, fat, protein, or mineral and is necessary for only a very small amount to perform a specific metabolic function. It cannot be manufactured by the body and therefore must be supplied by the diet. Vitamin's Functions ●Vitamins participate in many metabolic reactions in the body which take place as the food is being utilized. The fat-soluble vitamins act as a regulator of specific metabolic activity and the water soluble vitamins function as coenzymes. Coenzymes combine with a protein to form enzymes that promote, release and utilization of energy. The energy comes

2. from mainly carbohydrates, fat, and protein respectively but not from the vitamins. ●The Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) provides scientific and accurate information on Vitamins that are easily lost from the food sources. Some vitamin loss occurs when the food is harvested. The modern method of harvesting, storage, transportation, processing, and preparation minimizes these losses. Vitamin loss occurs by oxidation, by light, by heat, by exposure to acids and alkali, and by leaching onto the water. Food Preparation Methods To Prevent Vitamin Loss Are: - ●Peel vegetables and fruits thinly or cook some vegetables with the skin if palatable like small potatoes, bitter gourd, etc. ●Cut vegetables into large pieces. ●Use a minimum amount of water for cooking. ●Cook the vegetables with the lid on. ●Cook until just tender but not mush. — Dt. Gautam Jani