Vitamins are micronutrients that are essential for our health. They are present in small amounts in most of the foods that we eat.
Classification of vitamins
Fat-soluble (A, D, E & K) - stored in the body
Water-soluble (B group and C) - cannot be stored by the body, must be eaten every day
Hypervitaminosis
As fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E & K) are stored in the fatty tissue of the body, supplies can build up to toxic levels. This is called hypervitaminosis. It normally occurs when people overuse vitamin supplements. Hypervitaminosis A and D are most common.
Folate or folic acid
Given special attention because of its link with neural tube defects, e.g. spina bifida
How to prevent spina bifida
Every girl should have enough folic acid from the age of 14...eat lots of fortified breakfast cereals, fortified milk and take folic acid tablets
Vitamin C
Can be easily destroyed by careless food preparation and cooking. To keep vitamin C in foods, buy only really fresh foods and eat raw when possible.
