Vitamin |
What the vitamin does |
Significant food sources |
B1 (thiamin) |
Supports energy metabolism and nerve function |
spinach, green peas, tomato juice, watermelon, sunflower seeds, lean ham, lean pork chops, soy milk |
B2 (riboflavin) |
Supports energy metabolism, normal vision and skin health |
spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, eggs, milk, liver, oysters, clams |
B3 (niacin) |
Supports energy metabolism, skin health, nervous system and digestive system |
spinach, potatoes, tomato juice, lean ground beef, chicken breast, tuna (canned in water), liver, shrimp |
Biotin |
Energy metabolism, fat synthesis, amino acid metabolism, glycogen synthesis |
widespread in foods |
Pantothenic Acid |
Supports energy metabolism |
widespread in foods |
B6 (pyridoxine) |
Amino acid and fatty acid metabolism, red blood cell production |
bananas, watermelon, tomato juice, broccoli, spinach, acorn squash, potatoes, white rice, chicken breast |
Folate |
Supports DNA synthesis and new cell formation |
tomato juice, green beans, broccoli, spinach, asparagus, okra, black-eyed peas, lentils, navy, pinto and garbanzo beans |
B12 |
Used in new cell synthesis, helps break down fatty acids and amino acids, supports nerve cell maintenance |
meats, poultry, fish, shellfish, milk, eggs |
C (ascorbic acid) |
Collagen synthesis, amino acid metabolism, helps iron absorption, immunity, antioxidant |
spinach, broccoli, red bell peppers, snow peas, tomato juice, kiwi, mango, orange, grapefruit juice, strawberries |
A (retinol) |
Supports vision, skin, bone and tooth growth, immunity and reproduction |
mango, broccoli, butternut squash, carrots, tomato juice, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, beef liver |
D |
Promotes bone mineralization |
self-synthesis via sunlight, fortified milk, egg yolk, liver, fatty fish |
E |
Antioxidant, regulation of oxidation reactions, supports cell membrane stabilization |
polyunsaturated plant oils (soybean, corn and canola oils), wheat germ, sunflower seeds, tofu, avocado, sweet potatoes, shrimp, cod |
K |
Synthesis of blood-clotting proteins, regulates blood calcium |
Brussels sprouts, leafy green vegetables, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, liver |