The value of eating certain foods in order to health maintain has been recognized since ancient times. However, it has only been since the early 20th century that the idea of the vitamin was even formulated. But what is a vitamin, exactly?

What is a Vitamin?

A vitamin is defined as any water or fat soluble organic micronutrient necessary for life. This means essentially that a vitamin is any substance that is necessary for normal, healthy growth and development (as well as maintenance of adult health), but in much smaller amounts than macronutrients like carbohydrates or proteins. Although vitamins are necessary for life, the human body cannot produce them (with the exception of Vitamin D) and therefore they must be ingested.
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