Vitamins and Minerals - Chemical Name, Deficiency Diseases and Sources

Vitamins and Minerals are essential for the human body. These are required in appropriate quantities in the body to function properly; otherwise, the deficiency may lead to various defects/diseases. Read the complete list of Vitamins and minerals along with their deficiency diseases and sources.

Vitamins are organic substances that we require in adequate quantities for good health. The human body cannot synthesize vitamins; therefore, various food sources need to be consumed to fulfil the requirement.

Vitamins are fat soluble (Vitamins A, D, E, and K) and water soluble (Vitamin B and C).

Minerals are the nutrients that are important for proper growth and functioning of our body and are required in small amounts. Vitamins and Minerals are the micronutrients i.e. these are required in smaller amounts.

Vitamin/Minerals and their Chemical names	Deficiency Diseases	Sources
Vitamin A (Retinol)	Night Blindness, Irregular growth of teeth	Green leafy Vegetables, Guava, Milk, Nuts, etc.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)	Beri-Beri	Fresh Fruits, Potatoes, Peas, Corn, fish, etc.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)	Skin diseases, retarded growth	Banana, Almonds, Mushrooms, Grapes, Spinach, etc.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)	Pellagra (affects skin, alimentary canal and nervous system)	Whole cereals, tomatoes, potatoes, meat and fish
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)	Anaemia	Egg, Yogurt, Liver, Fish, etc.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)	Scurvy (Gums swell and bleed)	Broccoli, Goat Milk, Winter squash, Fresh fruits, etc.
Vitamin D (Calciferol)	Rickets	Fish, Egg, Liver oil, Chicken breast, Cheese, etc.
Vitamin K (Phylloquinone)	Excessive bleeding due to injury	Tomatoes, Broccoli, Chestnuts, cauliflower, Grapes, etc.
Vitamin E (Tocopherols)	Nerve and Muscle damage, Less fertility	Nuts, Pumpkin, Sunflower seeds, Milk, Nuts, etc.
Calcium	Brittle Bones and excessive bleeding, Defective teeth	Cheese, Milk, egg, okra, Dates, cereals, etc.
Phosphorus	Bad teeth and bones	Passion fruits, pomegranate, beans, beef, nuts, fish, etc.
Iron	Anaemia	Cashews, Beans, Spinach, Baked Potatoes, etc.
Iodine	Goitre, enlarged thyroid gland	Fish, yogurt, breads, cereals, seafood, etc.
Copper	Low appetite, retarded growth	Fish, beans, mushrooms, dark chocolate, potatoes, etc.
Potassium	Nervous disorder; poor muscle control leading to paralysis	Vegetables, molasses, banana, dates, etc.
Magnesium	Heart and vascular irregularities; dilated blood vessels, loss of muscle coordination	Green leafy vegetables, soyabean, whole grain, etc.
Chlorine	Vomiting and hypochloremic alkalosis	Common salt