Vitamins are usually designated by selected letters of the alphabet, as in vitamin D or vitamin C, though they are also designated by chemical names, such as niacin and folic acid. Biochemists traditionally separate them into two groups, the water-soluble vitamins and the fat-soluble vitamins. In this article, we will explore the 10 most important vitamins, their functions, their sources, and why they are so critical for survival. Along the way, we’ll uncover how these microscopic nutrients hold the key to vitality, longevity, and the prevention of disease. 1. Vitamin A – The Vision and Growth Vitamin. Multivitamins contain several vitamins and minerals in varying amounts, depending on the brand and the population it targets. Buy natural vitamins and supplements at The Vitamin Shoppe to support health and wellness for you and your family. Explore all supplements and vitamins today. Thinking about upping your intake? Our experts explain when and why it actually pays off. Get dietician-backed tips on making the macro math work—without overdoing it. Need an Energy Reset? Stack These Key Supplements. Trusted by nutritionists. Designed to keep your energy locked in—and you on track. Why The Vitamin Shoppe ®? One type comes from animal sources of food. It helps you see at night, make red blood cells, and fight off infections. The other type is in plant foods. It helps prevent damage to cells and an eye. Vitamins are organic compounds that living organisms require in small amounts for the normal growth, metabolism, and health. Unlike carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, vitamins do not provide energy or serve as structural building blocks. Vitamins are organic molecules (or a set of closely related molecules called vitamers) that are essential to an organism in small quantities for proper metabolic function. These essential nutrients cannot be synthesized in the organism in sufficient quantities for survival, and therefore must be obtained through consumption. This article explains what vitamins are, what they do, and which foods are good sources. Follow the links in blue below for more information about each vitamin. Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients required by the body to carry out a range of normal functions. However, these micronutrients are not produced in our bodies and must be derived from the food we eat. Vitamins are organic substances that are generally classified as either fat soluble or water soluble.