Vitamins perform important functions for the body. They are necessary to sustain life. The body takes in vitamins from the food that we eat and it needs the proper amount of each vitamin. The recommended daily requirement of each vitamin is published by the Food and Drug Administration and most foodstuffs have their ingredients on labels with the amount of the requirement that they fulfill. The vitamins required by humans are vitamin, A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D, E, K and niacin, folic acid, biotin and pantothenic acid. Some of these are fat soluble, like A, D, E and K which means if the intake is greater than the need, they can build up in the fatty tissues and liver where they are stored. The others are water soluble which means the body uses what it needs and then expels the rest through urination. They can't build up and store problems.

Since vitamins are so necessary for the proper functioning of the body, not having enough of a vitamin can lead to problems. Pregnant women are always given special pre-natal vitamins to take during pregnancy to guard against birth defects. During pregnancy women need certain amounts of vitamins and minerals to protect their health and promote the proper development of the baby. A deficiency of folic acid can cause birth defects. A lack of proper amounts of vitamin D can lead to bone problems. A lack of vitamin K can lead to bleeding problems and hemorrhaging in the baby.

Vitamin deficiencies can lead to numerous health problems. Insufficient amount of vitamin A can lead to visual problems. Ricketts and bone problems can be results of a vitamin D deficiency. A deficiency of vitamin E can result in cystic fibrosis and celiac disease. A deficiency of the various B-complex vitamins can lead to a variety of problems. Heart problems, sensory disorders, nervous system disorders, memory loss, anemia, dementia, hypertension, weakness, painful limbs, mucous membrane problems, dermatitis, and death are some of the problems that a deficiency in the B-complex vitamins can lead to. A deficiency in vitamin C can lead to weak capillaries and bleeding.

This list of deficiencies is not inclusive but it can illustrate the importance of proper diet and proper vitamin intake. If you do not eat the proper diet that gives you the proper amount of vitamins, you might want to consider taking multiple vitamins.