Vitamins

You need only small amounts (that's why they are often referred to as micronutrients) because the body uses them without breaking them down, as happens to carbohydrates and other macronutrients. So far, 13 compounds have been classified as vitamins. DEAK- Vitamins A, D, E, and K, the four fat-soluble vitamins, tend to accumulate in the body. Vitamin C and the eight B vitamins-biotin, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12-dissolve in water, so excess amounts are excreted. The "letter" vitamins sometimes go by different names. These include: Vitamin A = retinol, retinaldehyde, retinoic acid Vitamin B1 = thiamin Vitamin B2 = riboflavin Vitamin B6 = pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine Vitamin B12 = cobalamin Vitamin C = ascorbic acid Vitamin D = calciferol Vitamin E = tocopherol, tocotrienol Vitamin K = phylloquinone