Majid Ali, M.D.

Dr. Ali’s Nutrition Course Part One

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Vitamins Are Oxygen’s Darlings

Oxygen nurses and coddles vitamins. They, in turn, serve oxygen as loyal assistants. The term “vitamin” was coined by by Polish scientist Casimir Funk to indicate his belief that these substances are vital to life.

In a general sense, a vitamin is a substance which serves as an essential nutrient in very small amounts, but cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities in the body. by an organism, and must be obtained from the diet. At this time, 13 vitamins are universally recognized. The term vitamin is not used for other essential nutrients (dietary minerals, essential fatty acids or essential amino acids) which are needed in larger amounts than vitamins.

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Discovery of Vitamins

1913 Vitamin A (Retinol) Cod liver oil

1910 Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Rice bran

1920 Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) Citrus, most fresh foods

1920 Vitamin D (Calciferol) Cod liver oil

1920 Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Meat, eggs

1922 Vitamin E (Tocopherol) Wheat germ oil, unrefined vegetable oils

1926 Vitamin B12 (Cobalamins) Liver, eggs, animal products

1929 Vitamin K (Phylloquinone/phytol naphthoquinone) Leafy green vegetables

1931 Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) Meats, whole grains,

in many foods

1931 Vitamin B7 (Biotin) Meats, dairy products, eggs

1934 Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) Meat, dairy products.

1936 Vitamin B3 (Niacin) Meat, eggs, grains

1941 Vitamin B9 (Folic acid) Leafy green vegetables