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Vitamins

Vitamins are organic compounds your body needs in small amounts for energy metabolism, immunity, bone health, and dozens of other functions. Most cannot be made in sufficient quantities by the body, so they must come from food or supplements. Browse 17 entries in this category.

Amber vitamin softgels and citrus peel arranged on warm paper
Editorial illustration

Illustrated guides

Selected entries interpreted through varied editorial art and photography.

Painted field-guide arrangement of an egg, almonds, seeds, and mushroom

Biotin

The 'hair skin nails' vitamin — proven for deficiency, oversold for growth, and notorious for messing with lab tests.Watercolor arrangement of spinach, avocado, lentils, and asparagus

Folate (Folic Acid)

The B vitamin that powers DNA synthesis and prevents neural tube defects — with an important distinction between folic acid and methylfolate.Pencil still life of an amber jar, powder and ochre fabric

PABA

A compound historically called vitamin B10, but not an essential human vitamin; removed from the U.S. OTC sunscreen monograph in 2026.Watercolor food-source study with red crystalline texture, egg, and mushrooms

Vitamin B12

The nerve-and-DNA vitamin found almost exclusively in animal foods — a must-supplement for vegans and many older adults.Fine vitamin C-like powder with a restrained curl of citrus peel

Vitamin C

An essential water-soluble vitamin and antioxidant, used orally for immunity and topically for brightening and collagen support.Golden softgels and an amber dropper with a small oil droplet

Vitamin D3

A fat-soluble vitamin made in skin from sunlight, widely supplemented for bone, muscle, and immune health.Painted study of sunflower seeds, almonds, wheat, and pale golden oil

Vitamin E

The fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin — essential in small amounts, disappointing as a mega-dose disease preventer.

Vitamins

  1. 01BiotinThe 'hair skin nails' vitamin — proven for deficiency, oversold for growth, and notorious for messing with lab tests.
  2. 02CholineThe brain's underrated nutrient — essential for memory chemistry and liver function, and most people don't get enough.
  3. 03Folate (Folic Acid)The B vitamin that powers DNA synthesis and prevents neural tube defects — with an important distinction between folic acid and methylfolate.
  4. 04InositolThe PCOS breakthrough B-vitamin — myo-inositol improves ovulation and insulin sensitivity with unusually solid trial data.
  5. 05PABAA compound historically called vitamin B10, but not an essential human vitamin; removed from the U.S. OTC sunscreen monograph in 2026.
  6. 06Vitamin A (Retinol)The vision-and-skin vitamin with a double life — essential nutrient and top anti-aging skincare ingredient.
  7. 07Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)The energy-metabolism vitamin — essential for turning food into fuel, with a deficiency story that shaped food policy.
  8. 08Vitamin B12The nerve-and-DNA vitamin found almost exclusively in animal foods — a must-supplement for vegans and many older adults.
  9. 09Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)The energy coenzyme vitamin — and, surprisingly, a trial-backed preventive for migraine at high doses.
  10. 10Vitamin B3 (Niacin)The NAD vitamin — essential for every cell, with a famous flush and a lipid-lowering prescription career.
  11. 11Vitamin B5The coenzyme-A vitamin — ubiquitous in food, nearly impossible to be deficient in, and famous for a contested acne claim.
  12. 12Vitamin B6The enzyme vitamin behind over 100 reactions — with a genuine safety trap: high doses can damage nerves.
  13. 13Vitamin CAn essential water-soluble vitamin and antioxidant, used orally for immunity and topically for brightening and collagen support.
  14. 14Vitamin D3A fat-soluble vitamin made in skin from sunlight, widely supplemented for bone, muscle, and immune health.
  15. 15Vitamin EThe fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin — essential in small amounts, disappointing as a mega-dose disease preventer.
  16. 16Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone)The clotting vitamin from leafy greens — essential for blood coagulation, with a famous warfarin interaction.
  17. 17Vitamin K2The bone-and-artery vitamin that directs calcium where to go — the rising star paired with vitamin D.