The
History of Vitamins
The History of Vitamins
By: Dr. George Obikoya
Vitamins are organic substances that usually are
separated into water-soluble (such as B vitamins and vitamin C),
and fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E, K). Vitamins
are necessary for normal health and growth in higher forms of animal
and human life.
Vitamins are diverse in chemical structure and function. They were
originally defined as organic compounds obtainable in a normal diet
and capable of maintaining life and promoting growth. We know now
that vitamins play a huge role in our daily well-being and nutrition.
Vitamins are distinct from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in
function, as well as in the quantities in which we require them.
A number of compounds such as choline and carnitine once grouped
with vitamins no longer are considered vitamins. If a vitamin is
absent from the diet or we don’t properly absorbed it, a specific
deficiency disease may develop. This was first noted by the Englishman
William Fletcher in 1905 while researching the causes of the disease
Beriberi, which he observed was prevented by eating unpolished rather
than polished rice. He concluded that there husk of rice must have
special nutrients, which we know not today as vitamins.
In 1906, English biochemist Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins also discovered
that certain food factors were important to health. The term vitamin
originated from “vitamine,” a word first used in 1911 by the Polish
scientist Cashmir Funk to designate a group of compounds considered
vital for life; each was thought to have a nitrogen-containing component
known as an amine. The final e of vitamine was dropped when it was
discovered that not all of the vitamins contain nitrogen, and, therefore,
not all are amines. The term accessory food factor sometimes is
used instead of vitamin to refer to these substances. The following
is a brief history of the discovery of the different vitamins.
Vitamin A: Elmer V. McCollum and M. Davis discovered vitamin A during
1912–1914. In 1913, Yale researchers, Thomas Osborne and Lafayette
Mendel discovered that butter contained a fat-soluble nutrient soon
known as vitamin A. Vitamin A was first synthesized in 1947. Vitamin
B was discovered by Elmer V. McCollum discovered sometimes around
1915–1916 and Vitamin B1 by Casimir Funk in 1912.
Vitamin B2 was discovered by D. T. Smith, E. G. Hendrick in 1926.
Max Tishler invented methods for synthesizing the essential vitamin
B2. Niacin was discovered by American, Conrad Elvehjem in 1937,
folic acid by Lucy Wills in 1933. Vitamin BB6 was discovered by
Paul Gyorgy in 1934. The Scottish naval surgeon James Lindin observed
in 1747 that a nutrient in citrus foods, now known to be Vitamin
C, prevented scurvy. Vitamin C was rediscovered by Norwegians, A.
Hoist and T. Froelich in 1912. Vitamin C was the first vitamin to
be artificially synthesized in 1935.
In 1922, Edward Mellanby discovered Vitamin D while researching
a disease called rickets. Vitamin E was discovered in 1922 in green
leafy vegetables by University of California researchers, Herbert
Evans and Katherine Bishop discovered vitamin E in green leafy vegetables.
Most vitamins generally cannot be synthesized by animals or humans,
and if synthesized, the amounts are insufficient to meet body needs
and must be obtained from the diet or from some synthetic source.
FOr this reason, vitamins are called essential nutrients because
they are essential for life and optimum well-being.
A good multivitamin is the foundation of health
and nutrition. Take a look at our scientific reviews of many of
the popular brands for factors such as ingredients, areas of improvement,
quality level, and overall value. If you are looking for a high
quality liquid multivitamin, we suggest that you take a look at
the Multivitamin
Product Comparisons.
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