vitamin

/'vitəmin/

Thân thiện

A child takes a daily vitamin with breakfast.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Any of a group of organic substances essential in small quantities to normal metabolism: A vitamin is a natural substance found in food that is necessary for good health and normal bodily function. The body needs only tiny amounts of these substances, but they are crucial for processes like growth, digestion, and nerve function.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Oranges are a good source of vitamin C.
  • A lack of certain vitamins can lead to health problems.
  • She takes a daily multivitamin supplement.

Advanced Usage

• "Fat-soluble vitamin": A vitamin (such as A, D, E, or K) that dissolves in fat and can be stored in the body's fatty tissues.
  • Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin important for bone health.
• "Water-soluble vitamin": A vitamin (such as C or the B-complex vitamins) that dissolves in water and is not stored in the body, so it must be consumed regularly.
  • Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that must be replenished through your diet.

Variants and Related Words

• Multivitamin (n): A pill or tablet containing several different vitamins.
  • He takes a multivitamin every morning with breakfast.
• Vitaminize (v, rare): To add vitamins to a food product.
  • Some companies vitaminize breakfast cereals.

Synonyms

• Nutrient: A substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life. (Note: Vitamins are a specific type of nutrient.)
• Micronutrient: A chemical element or substance required in trace amounts for the normal growth and development of living organisms. (Vitamins are a category of micronutrients.)

Related Phrases

• "Vitamin deficiency": A condition resulting from a lack of a specific vitamin in the diet.
  • Scurvy is a disease caused by a vitamin C deficiency.
• "Daily value (DV) for vitamins": The recommended daily intake level of a nutrient used on food labels.
  • Check the nutrition label to see the percentage of the daily value for each vitamin.

Related Idioms

• "An apple a day keeps the doctor away": This proverb suggests that eating healthy foods (which contain vitamins and other nutrients) helps maintain good health and prevents illness. While not containing the word "vitamin," the concept is directly related.
  • My grandmother always said, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," and now I understand it's because of the vitamins and fiber.

Học thuật

Noun

1. any of a group of organic substances essential in small quantities to normal metabolism