This collection of fact sheets and other resources from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) and other federal government sources provides information about dietary supplements and their ingredients. These include vitamins, minerals, herbs and botanicals, probiotics, and more. Many of these resources are available in versions written for health professionals and for consumers (in both. Vitamin, any of several organic substances that are necessary in small quantities for normal health and growth in higher forms of animal life. Vitamins generally cannot be synthesized in amounts sufficient to meet bodily needs and therefore must be obtained from the diet or from some synthetic source. Shop high-quality vitamins, supplements, and health products at The Vitamin Shoppe to support your wellness journey. Learn what vitamins are, their functions, sources, deficiencies, and why they’re essential for health in this complete biochemistry guide. Vitamins are among the most fascinating and essential nutrients for human health. Though tiny in quantity, their impact on life is monumental. They do not provide energy like carbohydrates, fats, or proteins, yet they serve as catalysts and regulators, ensuring that every chemical reaction in your body runs smoothly. Without them, even the most basic functions—breathing, healing, moving. Vitamins are a great way to ensure your body gets the essential nutrients it needs beyond what you eat, but the vitamins you should take daily depend on your health goals. Learn more about vitamin supplementation. Did You Know? Vitamins and their precise requirements have been controversial since their discovery in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was the combined efforts of epidemiologists, physicians, chemists, and physiologists that led to our modern day understanding of vitamins and minerals. Learn about vitamins A through K, their benefits, deficiency risks, and the best foods to eat for daily nutrition and lasting energy. Some writers include choline as a vitamin. [6] Vitamins have diverse biochemical functions. Vitamin A acts as a regulator of cell and tissue growth and differentiation. Vitamin D provides a hormone-like function, regulating mineral metabolism for bones and other organs. The B complex vitamins function as enzyme cofactors (coenzymes) or the precursors for them. Vitamins C and E function as. Find out from WebMD's slideshow which vitamins and minerals your body needs, what they do, and what foods you can eat to get them..