Vitamins: repeat the basics

Vitamins are a group of low-molecular organic compounds with a relatively simple structure and diverse chemical nature. They participate in many biochemical reactions, performing a catalytic function as part of the active centers of a large number of various enzymes or acting as regulatory information mediators, performing the signaling functions of exogenous prohormones and hormones.

The participation of vitamins in the metabolism is determined to a large extent by the fact that most of them are coenzymes or their constituent parts. Most vitamins are not synthesized in the body. Their source is usually food products. Only vitamin D3 (in the skin under the influence of ultraviolet rays) and nicotinamide (vitamin PP) are synthesized in body tissues. A number of vitamins (for example, vitamin K) can be formed by microorganisms in the intestine.

Three pathological conditions are associated with a violation of the vitamin balance:

• hypovitaminosis - vitamin deficiency;
• avitaminosis - lack of vitamin;
• hypervitaminosis - vitamin excess.

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