Vitamin C may be the most famous vitamin. Tens of thousands of British sailors were dying of the disease scurvy until they began taking limes and other citrus fruit along on voyages. The vitamin C in the citrus prevented the disease. Vitamin C also works as an anti-oxidant and supports the synthesis of collagen, which helps keep the skin healthy and youthful. A good way to get some daily vitamin C is to drink a glass of orange juice with breakfast.

Vitamin D is famous for saving children from the bone disease called rickets. This vitamin was so important to health it was added to milk. All milk products are now enriched with Vitamin D and the disease of rickets has been eradicated. This vitamin is important to maintain strong bones and joints.

Vitamin B became well known when it was discovered to stop the disease beriberi. Vitamin B actually includes a complex of the vitamins thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6), folic acid (B9), cyanocobalamin (B12) pantothetic acid, choline and biotin. B vitamins help the body to breakdown carbohydrates. Choline is thought to help with fat metabolism. Vegetarians may not get enough of the B vitamins since they don