They belong to the category of micronutrients: in fact, very small quantities are needed to meet the biological requirements of the organism.
The term vitamin means «Amine of life», indicating that it is an organic compound essential for human life. Vitamins, if not for some exceptions such as vitamin D, cannot be synthesized by our body: therefore they must be introduced through nutrition.
In contrast, the plant world has the ability to produce vitamins on its own, which is why foods of plant origin are the most important vitamin resource for humans.
What are they?
According to their degree of solubility in fats, vitamins are divided into:
Vitamins are essential to regulate most of the chemical and energetic reactions of our body. Some act as antioxidants, protecting the body from dangerous factors such as free radicals, while others play an important role in hormonal regulation, bone growth, skin and hair health; others are essential for the proper functioning of the eyes and nervous system.
In the cosmetic field, vitamins A, group B, C, E and F are important because they allow to maintain healthy skin: they stimulate the metabolic functions, protect it from environmental aggressions, increasing its immune system and maintaining its water balance.
Sources: milk, eggs, fish, large leaf vegetables.
Sources: wholemeal flours, rice, bananas, hazelnuts, brewer’s yeast, carrots.
Sources: Tomato, kiwi, citrus fruits
Sources: olive oil, cereals, dried fruits and vegetables
Sources: fish, walnuts, legumes, olive oil, soy and linseed
