Each type of vitamin benefits your body and health in a different way. Working in tandem with each other, it’s essential to understand the importance of each vitamin, the signs that you are deficient, and how to boost your levels. Our guide to the different types of vitamins takes you through all the information you need to know.
The Importance of Vitamins for Health
Vitamins support our bodies in essential ways, from aiding wound healing to boosting our immune system. Without all types of vitamins we could find ourselves with deficiencies feeling lethargic, weak muscles, feeling low in mood, and experiencing gut problems.
Fat-Soluble vs Water-Soluble Vitamins
There are two types of vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble. The two types refer to what substance the vitamin dissolves in.
- Fat-soluble Vitamins - Vitamins A, D, E, and K. Fat-soluble vitamins cannot dissolve in water and so are more easily absorbed into your bloodstream. These types of vitamins are stored in your body’s fatty tissue and muscles.
- Water-soluble Vitamins - Vitamin C and B-complex vitamins. Whilst water-soluble vitamins are dissolved in water and not normally stored within the body. As this type of vitamin is not stored in the body, and is instead passed out through urine, it must be consumed regularly to avoid becoming deficient.
13 Types of Vitamins
When broken down into their individual parts, there are 13 types of vitamins. This includes all the B-complex vitamins.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A, also known as retinol, comes in two types: preformed Vitamin A and provitamin A.
Benefits of Vitamin A
Vitamin A is responsible for supporting the immune system. The key benefits of Vitamin A include:
- Contributes to normal iron metabolism
- Helps to maintain normal skin - A is a type of vitamin that contributes to the production of sebum, which helps to maintain optimum levels of moisture making this vitamin ideal as a skin supplement.
- Supports the maintenance of normal vision - This type of vitamin is essential in converting light that hits your retina into a signal your brain can convert to an image.
- Aids the immune system - By supporting the production of mucous barriers that trap bacteria, as well as being involved in the production of white blood cells.
Vitamin A Deficiency
Any type of vitamin deficiency can impact our health negatively. Here are the signs of Vitamin A deficiency that you should look out for:
Sources of Vitamin A
To boost your levels of this type of vitamin, you should look to include these foods and supplements in your diet:
B-Complex Vitamins
In total there are eight types of Vitamin B, together these are known as the B-complex. Each type of vitamin has its own role in supporting your wellbeing.
The Different Types of Vitamin B
The majority of the different types of B vitamins have both their numbered name and their chemical name. For those such as B9, you may be more familiar with the chemical name ‘folic acid’ whereas types such as B12 go by their number.
Benefits of B Vitamins
It’s essential to maintain optimum nutrient levels of this type of vitamin as it has many important functions within the body. The benefits of Vitamin B include:
Vitamin B Deficiency
The symptoms of Vitamin B deficiency can leave you feeling low. Here are the symptoms to look out for:
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Pale skin
- Low mood
Insufficient dietary intake as well as pernicious anaemia can leave you depleted of this type of vitamin. If you’re worried about your symptoms you should consult your General Practitioner.
Sources of B-Complex Vitamins
To ensure you see the benefits of this type of vitamin, you need to know how to boost your levels.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the most well known types, with it being commonly found in citrus fruits such as oranges. In Vitamin C supplements the most common type of this vitamin is ascorbic acid.
Benefits of Vitamin C
C types of vitamins benefit the body in a number of ways, from supporting the immune system, to maintaining bone health. Here are some of the top ways Vitamin C could benefit you:
Vitamin C Deficiency
The most common symptom associated with a deficiency in this type of vitamin is scurvy. If you’re concerned about Vitamin C deficiency then watch out for these signs:
Sources of Vitamin C
Boosting your levels of this vital type of vitamin is effortless by adding food supplements to your routine and increasing your intake of certain foods.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D comes in two types: Vitamin D3 and D2. Where these differ is how they are produced. Vitamin D2 is found in plants, so is perfect as a vegan supplement or vegetarian supplement. Whereas D3 is formed in both human and animal skin when exposed to sunlight, making it a type of vitamin not suitable for those on a vegan diet.
Benefits of Vitamin D
The types of Vitamin D boast many advantages for your wellbeing. The benefits of Vitamin D include:
- Muscle Function - Supporting faster muscle recovery this type of vitamin is perfect as a sports supplement. In combination with magnesium supplements, Vitamin D can ensure your muscles have the nutrients they need.
- Immune System Support - Vitamin D increases the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and aids production of immune cells. It’s an essential type of vitamin included in immune supplements.
- Supports Normal Bone Health - Vitamin D plays a vital role in regulating the calcium and phosphorus levels in your bones. This helps to ensure your bones are strong and healthy.
Vitamin D Deficiency
In places like the UK, there often isn't enough sun to produce the optimum levels of Vitamin D naturally. This means many of us could be suffering from a Vitamin D deficiency and its symptoms:
If you think you are experiencing a deficiency in this vitamin type, our vitamin at-home health tests can help you confirm. Ensure you consult with your doctor if you believe you are deficient.
Sources of Vitamin D
The most well known source of Vitamin D is from the sun - in this way our skin converts direct sunlight into the essential nutrient. There are however other ways to boost your levels:
- Vitamin D Supplements
- Oily Fish
- Eggs
- Dairy Products
- Fortified Foods (cereal, bread, juice)
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is fat-soluble, and also known as tocopherol. Another antioxidant type of vitamin, E is known for its immune boosting properties.
Benefits of Vitamin E
The benefits of Vitamin E focus on supporting the immune system, and it does this in a few ways.
Vitamin E Deficiency
Vitamin E deficiency is quite rare, however it’s important to understand the symptoms to look out for in case you struggle with intake.
Sources of Vitamin E
Keeping your Vitamin E levels at optimum is effortless with these key sources:
Vitamin K
The two main types of Vitamin K are K1 and K2. K1 is mainly found in leafy green vegetables, whereas K2 is found in fermented food and animal products.
Benefits of Vitamin K
The benefits of Vitamin K are threefold, and essential for the human body to work efficiently.
Vitamin K Deficiency
A Vitamin K deficiency can be very dangerous due to its essential role in blood and circulation health. The most common signs of deficiency in this type of mineral include:
Sources of Vitamin K
Regulating your Vitamin K to intake the optimum levels can be simple with these sources:
BetterYou’s Types of Vitamins
Supporting your wellbeing by boosting every type of vitamin is effortless with BetterYou. Our range of supplements are formulated as vitamin oral sprays. These all for easy and fuss-free supplementation.
It’s important that everyone has the types of vitamins they need, which is why we have formulations for every stage of life. Our children’s vitamins, women’s health vitamins and men’s health supplements all include types of vitamins to support energy levels, immune health, and your bones and muscles.
BetterYou’s Innovative Supplements
We pioneered oral spray and topical magnesium. Our collection of zinc supplements, selenium supplements, and magnesium flakes to help aid your wellbeing.
