Vitamins are essential compounds for the body, known simply as vitamin A, B, vitamin C, D, etc., instead of long and difficult names like other substances.
Vitamin is a term that describes various organic compounds necessary for metabolism to maintain life as well as the vital functions of humans, but the body cannot synthesize them on its own and must obtain them from daily food intake.
Vitamins are essential for the body. (Photo: Getty).
These substances are crucial for the body, but vitamins are simply named and easily remembered, such as vitamin A, B, C, D, etc., rather than having long, complex names like other compounds or medications.
Who Discovered Vitamins?
The term vitamin, originally spelled “vitamine,” is derived from “vita” (life in Latin) and “amine” (a type of nitrogen-containing chemical compound).
This term was coined by Polish-American biochemist Casimir Funk in 1912, when he discovered that certain diseases were caused by the deficiency of specific components in the diet.
In 1912, Funk identified four diseases: Beriberi (which can affect the circulatory and nervous systems), Scurvy (causing decay of teeth and gums), Pellagra (leading to complications such as dermatitis), and rickets, all stemming from deficiencies of certain nutrients.
His revolutionary view that diseases could arise from a lack of essential nutrients, rather than solely from infections or toxins, was particularly significant at a time when germ theory was dominant, indicating that certain diseases originated from pathogenic microorganisms.
However, Funk proposed that certain vitamins needed to be included in the human diet, and that even a very small amount could help prevent and treat diseases.
At the Lister Institute in London, England, Funk conducted experiments to isolate a complex of essential micronutrients for life, which he termed vital amines.
In his research, he named this substance “vitamin” because he believed it was essential for life and could cure diseases. Funk stated: “To be healthy, one should avoid a monotonous diet.”
The Origin of Vitamin Names
There is not just one type of vitamin, and the idea of using the familiar alphabetical system we have today to name vitamins originated from Cornelia Kennedy, who in her master’s thesis in 1916 “used the letters ‘A’ and ‘B’ to designate essential dietary factors.”
Vitamins are named in the order they were discovered. From 1910 to 1920, vitamins A, B, C, D, and E were discovered and named according to the letters of the alphabet.
The discoveries encompassed both fat-soluble and water-soluble components, leading to the separation of vitamins from A to E.
Vitamin C is abundant in oranges. (Source: bewellnova).
By 1920, more vitamins were discovered, specifically B1 and B2. However, these vitamins were later grouped together due to similarities in properties, distribution in natural sources, and overlapping physiological functions. They were then referred to as “vitamin B complex.”
Vitamin B includes many types, including vitamin B12 (cobalamin) discovered in 1926, B5 (pantothenic acid), B7 (Biotin) in 1931, B6 (pyridoxine) in 1934, B3 (Niacin), and B9 (folic acid) in 1941.
However, over time, other researchers found that Funk’s original theory was not entirely accurate; not all vitamins are amines.
For instance, vitamin D is synthesized when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet light and is actually a steroid hormone. This is why the “e” in “vitamine” was dropped to form the term “vitamin” as we know it today.
Vitamins also do not only influence a single disease as Funk initially suggested. For example, vitamin D deficiency is linked to various chronic diseases such as metabolic bone disorders, heart disease, and diabetes.
A total of 13 types of vitamins were identified from 1913 to 1948. They are divided into two main categories: water-soluble vitamins (B vitamins and C) and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).
The Role of Vitamins in the Body
Vitamins play an extremely important role in enhancing health and maintaining human life; a deficiency in vitamins can lead to many dangerous diseases.
Vitamins are one of the essential components for cell formation, helping to develop and sustain cell life; they act as catalysts in the metabolism of nutrients, transforming food into energy to support all bodily functions.
Vitamins are abundant in the foods we eat daily. (Illustrative photo: Harvard Health).
Vitamins support the treatment of bodily diseases, enhance the immune system, help prevent and treat illnesses, thereby improving overall health; they participate in regulating and enhancing the functions of the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
Vitamins protect the body’s cells from attacks by pathogenic agents thanks to their antioxidant properties, detoxifying characteristics, and ability to repair damaged structures, thus aiding in the rapid recovery of injuries.
However, although vitamins are essential for the body, vitamin supplementation should not be abused and should be done under medical advice because both excess and deficiency of vitamins can lead to health issues and negatively impact overall health.
