The word "vitamin" means vital for life. As scientists discovered nutrients that were vital to life, they assigned letters. As knowledge increased, it was determined that some of these nutrients were not vital and so, became ignored, leaving spaces (like vitamin f). Each letter was also known by the vitamin's function in the body, so, it began to make sense to assign numbers representing other nutrients that performed similar or supporting roles in the body. That's why there is only one vitamin C, but so many Vitamin B's (B-1 through B-17 at my last count). Of course, over time, many of those were found not to be vital, leaving blanks in the numbering system. PABA, for example, was discovered and assigned as B-10 and then found not to be vital. We continued to use the alpha-numeric system out of habit, despite its weaknesses.
Over time, many of these vital nutrients became known by their name and properties, rather than an arbitrary letter or number. Many others were best known by their classification, like Vitamin D (actually more than one vitamin). Confused? So is everyone...So much so that there is disagreement as to which letter number combination represents which nutrients in some cases.
That's why many have started using the nutrient name even for those nutrients that have numbers. For example, Niacin, in most cases, isn't known as B-3. In hope of avoiding confusion as much as possible, we've included both the alpha-numeric classification and the names in our titles.
It seems this classification system will outlive your humble author, but, at least we have some understanding as to why the system is so hard to understand.
People looking for nutrient information usually want to avoid health problems, get the most out of life and the most life they can. Not just physical existence, but mental and spiritual. If you're looking for more than body or looks in your health and fitness goals, you can find it spiritually through God. He can heal the stuff your diet doesn't control and bring real health and fitness to your life. If you want His help, go to Healing From God.
Nutrition Tips
Vitamin A For Body
Vitamin B-1 Thiamine
Vitamin B-2
Riboflavin
Vitamin B-3 Niacin
Vitamin B-4 Adenine
Vitamin B-5
Pantothenic
Vitamin B-6
Pyridoxine
Vitamin B-8 Biotin
Vitamin B-9 Folic
Acid
Vitamin B-10 PABA
Vitamin B-12
Cyanoco...
Vitamin B Complex
Vitamin C Facts
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