Updated On: 28 August, 2012 09:25 AM IST | | The Guide Team
It was a hundred years ago, in 1912, when scientist Casimir Funk coined the term 'Vitamins'. Since then, researchers have identified 13 vitamin types, which are essential for a healthy body. The Guide gives you a cut-and-keep checklist of each of these vitamins, their sources as well as their signs of deficiency or excess consumption
VITAMIN A
Important for> Vision, immune system, bones, skin health
Sources> Liver, egg yolk, butter, milk, cheese, orange-coloured fruits such as melon and leafy vegetables
VITAMIN DEFICIENCY> Symptoms include night blindness, dry skin, sluggish immune system, delayed growth
VITAMIN excess> Causes hair loss, birth defects, liver and skin problems
VITAMIN D
Important for> Bone and teeth development, muscles, immune system
Sources> Sunlight on skin, oils, saltwater fish such as salmon and mackerel, eggs, meat, milk, butter, mushrooms
VITAMIN DEFICIENCY> Symptoms include rickets, reduced muscle strength, deformations, bone loss, softening of bones, Osteoporosis
VITAMIN excess> Causes hair and weight loss