Some say they are healthy. Some say they are in great shape and excellent health, perhaps the best health of their lives. Others say their health is not very good. What do you think makes these two groups of people different in their lives when it comes to health? Could vitamins have something to do with it, or are they overrated? Vitamins aren’t just for “health freaks.” It is a fact that they are essential to life. By definition, vitamins are “organic compounds that the body needs to maintain health and function” (Merritt). The definition clearly states that vitamins are essential in our daily diet. In general, what can happen if people don't get the right amounts of vitamins? There are four stages of deficiency. The first is “Preliminary”, which means that there is an insufficient amount of vitamins available to the body. The second stage is “biochemical deficiency,” which means all of your stored vitamins are depleted. The third stage is “physiological impairment,” meaning there are no specific signs or symptoms of a health problem; however, general weakness, fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite may occur. The last step is the most serious of all the steps. “Clinical malnutrition” has specific signs and symptoms of health problems, but they depend on the vitamin deficiency. (Merritt) There are thirteen different vitamins. They were named in alphabetical order as they were discovered: A, C, D, E, K and the B vitamins which are thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, B -6, B-12 and folate. B vitamins are chemically identical, but their composition is different. All thirteen are micronutrients, meaning you need them in small amounts (Merritt). Some find this next fact a little surprising. Vitamins contain no calories...... middle of paper ......montage. The RDA is 80 mg for men and 65 mg for women. There are no known symptoms of vitamin K toxicity (Merritt). The chemical formula for vitamin K is C31H46O2. There are 31 carbon atoms, 46 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms. The molar mass is 173 g/mol (Hermenstine). Vitamins are necessary. Without them, we would be non-existent. After looking at everything they do for us, like their functions, and what happens when we don't have enough of them, do you now see why they are so important to us? After comparing the foods you should be eating to those you actually eat as part of your regular diet, can you safely say you're eating correctly? If not, why not start today? You may notice a drastic change in how you feel. By eating well and consuming the appropriate amounts of the 13 vitamins, you will discover what true health is...