Sixth Grade
Worksheets
Vitamins from Food or Supplements
Do you make sure your food is rich in vitamins? Maybe you take a vitamin pill every day. What exactly are vitamins? Why do you need them? Where can you find them?
Vitamins are substances the body needs in order to work, grow, and develop properly. They are found in foods. There are thirteen vitamins the human body needs. They are vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, along with eight different B vitamins. Each type of vitamin has a special job.
Vitamins come in two categories: fat-soluble and water-soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in fat and the liver until the body needs them. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins include vitamins C, B1, B2, B6, B12, folic acid, biotin, and pantothenic acid. They don't just stick around in the body. They travel through the bloodstream and are used. If they are not used, they leave the body when urinating. Therefore, they need to be replaced regularly. Normally, vitamins you need are in the foods you eat. Your body can make vitamins D and K. Eating healthy foods is usually enough for the right amount of vitamins without taking or needing a daily supplement.
Each vitamin plays a special role. Vitamin A has a part in vision. It is very important for night vision specifically. Vitamin A helps people grow and helps maintain healthy skin. It is found in eggs, milk, apricots, carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and liver, among other foods.
There are many kinds of B vitamins. They help with metabolism in our body's cells and with the metabolism of food in our bodies. They help make proteins. They also help make red blood cells. B vitamins are found in whole grains, fish and seafood, poultry and meats, leafy green vegetables, eggs, dairy products, and citrus fruits.
