More than 100 years have passed since the time when scientists first started talking about vitamins. They penetrate the body through food, various additives, sunbathing.

Vitamins are involved in the regulation of metabolism, prevent the appearance of unstable radicals. However, only 13 combinations are related to vitamins, while others are similar. Separately, people are interested in the designation of substances. Vitamins A, E, C are usually called only letters. Group B substances are additionally labeled with numbers. Why was this designation established?

Vitamin Discovery History

Interest in the relationship between human health and food consumed arose in ancient Egypt. Doctors claimed that he could get rid of night blindness with the help of a bird’s liver. Now it can be argued that the product contains vitamin A, which improves vision at dusk.

With the development of civilization, doctors have more than once linked the diet and well-being of a person. In 1747, Dr. James Lind, who was traveling on a ship, revealed an interesting fact. Sailors who consumed acidic foods were less likely to suffer scurvy. The discovery was not recognized in the scientific world, and experiments were in vain.

Only in 1923 it was found that indeed the presence of ascorbic acid in the body reduces the likelihood of scurvy. This is what James Lind previously claimed. Lemons were introduced to the diet of sailors,since the captains wished to have a capable team on board.

The history of vitamin E discovery began in 1922. Scientists Katherine S. Bishop and Herbert Evans decided to conduct experiments involving rodents. Rats were given a different diet. Those who had salts, animal fats, and yeast in their diets lost their ability to reproduce. It turned out to be returned by adding lettuce and wheat germ to the menu.

Scientists have been able to confirm that in green plants and vegetable oils there is a substance associated with the reproductive system. In 1936, it turned out to synthesize vitamin.

Of particular interest is the group of vitamins B. It contains substances that are required for the full functioning of the body. Moreover, each element is equally important regardless of the number.

Interesting fact: Vitamin B7 was opened 4 times and was re-named. At first it was called biotin, then coenzyme R, then vitamin H (from the German word Haut (skin)). Only in 1940, scientists realized that all of these substances are one and the same. Vitamin named B7.

Why are vitamins of the group indicated by letters and numbers?

The lettering of substances appeared in the 20th century. At that time, chemical analysis was scarce and inaccurate. Vitamins were usually divided according to their effect on the body, and not according to their chemical composition. All substances in group B have a similar effect. It is also worth noting that they are present in the same products.

At first there was no digital designation, and there was only vitamin B. Later, scientists discovered that this was a group of substances of different chemical nature.They are not considered interchangeable. Then all the substances got the indices B1, B2, B3, etc. After a while it turned out that a certain part had no vitamin signs. Some vitamins were excluded from the group, and only seven remained. B1 to B6, B9, B12.

In the last century, scientists believed that there is only vitamin B. Then the substances were classified by their effect on the body, since chemical analysis was difficult. Later studies showed that this is a whole group of substances with a similar effect, but different chemical composition. They began to be denoted by numbers in order to separate them from each other. A similar situation occurred exclusively with vitamin B, so the rest, for example, vitamin E, are indicated only by letters.

Useful substances can prevent many diseases, premature aging. With their help strengthen health. For this reason, scientists still study the effect of vitamins and try to apply knowledge to the benefit of mankind.