Vitamins are necessary organic compounds that are needed by the body. The compound can pass up as a vitamin if that compound cannot be synthesized by the organism in right quantities and thus the organism may need to get it from the diet. Vitamins are usually classified not by their structure but by their biological and chemical activity. Usually these set of chemicals are grouped under the alphabetized generic descriptor, which is why we have Vitamin A.

This first group of chemicals will include the retinal, retinol and many carotenoids. Essential nutrients that the body may need are different from the vitamins. Some of these essential nutrients are the dietary minerals, the fatty acids and the amino acids. Vitamins that can be absorbed by the body may assume different biochemical functions.

Some of these vitamins act as hormones like the Vitamin D, others may act as antioxidants like the Vitamin E and others may also assume the role of mediators in cell signaling and regulators of cell and tissue growth in the body. The other examples of vitamins, like the largest group B complex act as precursors for enzyme co-factor biomolecules. These vitamins are there to act as catalysts and substrates in the metabolism of the body.

Vitamins are usually obtained by the person thru the intake and the consumption of food that is rich in vitamins. But with the advancement of technology, vitamins are now produced and marketed as commodity chemicals.

The vitamins that can be consumed by a person can either be grouped as a water-soluble vitamin or a fat soluble vitamin. The water soluble vitamin is the one that can easily dissolve on water. The fat-soluble on the other hand are absorbed thru the intestinal tract with the help of lipids. There are 13 vitamins that can be helpful for humans; four of which are fat-soluble and the rest are water soluble.

The intake of vitamins is necessary in order to facilitate the normal growth and the development of any multicellular organism. For example the fetus at the mother's womb may need the vitamins in order for its body parts to develop well. The nutrients are necessary in order to effectively facilitate the chemical reactions that can produce and develop its skin, bone and muscles.

The moment the right amount of vitamins is not absorbed by the fetus then the child may develop serious health issues later on. In general, the vitamins that may be needed by the body can be taken thru the intake of food.

But there are other ways and means present in order to obtain these nutrients. There are some organisms within the body of a person that can produce the vitamin needed by the person. An example is the gut-flora and this can produce Vitamin K. Vitamin on the other hand is produced by the help of the ultraviolet in the sunlight. The moment the growth and development of the person has been completed, these vitamins are still needed so that cells, tissues and organs can be properly maintained.