Vitamins are crucial organic compounds that support our body’s growth, metabolism, immunity, and overall health. However, have you ever paused to think about all vitamin's names and why each vitamin is assigned a unique scientific name? These scientific names reflect their chemical composition, discovery history, and biological role. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore every essential vitamin, its official (scientific) name, key food sources, deficiency diseases, and a few bonus facts to help you understand the significance of these micronutrients better.

What Exactly are Vitamins?

Vitamins are micronutrients because our bodies require them in small amounts. They are vital for:

Metabolism: Helping break down nutrients to release energy.
Immunity: Supporting the immune system in defending the body against diseases.
Cellular & Tissue Repair: Assisting in the repair and growth of body tissues.

The word “vitamin” comes from “vita,” meaning life, and “amine,” hinting at the nitrogen-containing compounds some vitamins were first thought to be. Modern research shows that not all vitamins are amines, yet the term remains in use because of its historical significance.

Classification of Vitamins

One major aspect of vitamin scientific name and disease understanding involves classifying vitamins based on how they dissolve and function in the body:

Fat-soluble Vitamins:

Vitamin A
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K

These vitamins are stored in the body's fatty tissues and liver, so they do not need daily replenishment in the same way water-soluble vitamins do.

Water-soluble Vitamins:

Vitamin B complex (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12)
Vitamin C

These vitamins generally need regular intake because they are not stored in large quantities and excess amounts are excreted through urine.

Also, read Vitamins and Minerals

All Vitamins Names, Their Scientific Names, Sources & Deficiency Diseases

Below is a handy reference table of all vitamins name, their official scientific names, common food sources, common deficiency diseases, and approximate daily requirements. Incorporating these vitamins into your diet can help prevent many health concerns and maintain overall well-being.

Vitamin	Scientific Name	Common Food Sources	Deficiency Disease/Condition	Approx. Daily Requirement<br>(Adults)
Vitamin A (Fat-soluble)	Retinol	Carrots, spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, milk, liver, oranges	Night blindness, poor immunity	~700–900 µg RAE*
Vitamin B1 (Water-soluble) (Part of vitamin b scientific name)	Thiamine	Whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, pork, fortified cereals, oranges	Beriberi (affecting nerves & heart), Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome	~1.1–1.2 mg
Vitamin B2 (Water-soluble) (Part of vitamin b scientific name)	Riboflavin	Milk, eggs, leafy greens, meat, whole grains, mushrooms	Ariboflavinosis (sore throat, swelling of mouth)	~1.1–1.3 mg
Vitamin B3 (Water-soluble) (Part of vitamin b scientific name)	Niacin	Meat, poultry, fish, peanuts, whole grains, mushrooms	Pellagra (dermatitis, diarrhoea, dementia)	~14–16 mg NE**
Vitamin B5 (Water-soluble) (Part of vitamin b scientific name)	Pantothenic Acid	Meat, kidney, egg yolk, broccoli, peanuts, chicken, milk, yoghurt, legumes, mushrooms	Rare deficiency (fatigue, irritability, numbness)	~5 mg
Vitamin B6 (Water-soluble) (Part of vitamin b scientific name)	Pyridoxine	Poultry, fish, pork, wholegrain cereals, eggs, soya beans, bananas	Anaemia, dermatitis, confusion	~1.3–1.7 mg
Vitamin B7 (Water-soluble) (Part of vitamin b scientific name)	Biotin	Walnuts, peanuts, cereals, milk, egg yolks, salmon, pork, mushrooms, cauliflower, avocados, raspberries	Hair thinning, skin rashes, brittle nails	~30 µg
Vitamin B9 (Water-soluble) (Part of vitamin b scientific name)	Folic Acid	Citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, legumes, whole grains, beets	Megaloblastic anaemia, birth defects in foetus (spina bifida)	~400 µg DFE***
Vitamin B12 (Water-soluble)	Cobalamin	Fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, fortified cereals	Pernicious anaemia, nerve damage	~2.4 µg
Vitamin C (Water-soluble)	Ascorbic Acid	Oranges, lemons, grapefruit, broccoli, bell peppers, tomatoes, berries, guava	Scurvy (gum bleeding, poor wound healing)	~75–90 mg
Vitamin D (Fat-soluble)	Calciferol (Commonly Cholecalciferol – D3)	Oily fish, egg yolk, liver, fortified cereals, sunlight exposure	Rickets (in children), osteomalacia (in adults)	~15–20 µg (600–800 IU)
Vitamin E (Fat-soluble)	Tocopherol	Sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, avocado, wheat germ oil, peanuts	Rare deficiency (nerve & muscle damage)	~15 mg
Vitamin K (Fat-soluble)	Phytonadione (Primary vitamin k scientific name)	Leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale), broccoli, liver, beef, dairy, fermented foods	Excessive bleeding due to slow clotting	~90–120 µg

Notes:

RAE: Retinol Activity Equivalents (for Vitamin A)
NE: Niacin Equivalents (for Vitamin B3)
DFE: Dietary Folate Equivalents (for Vitamin B9)

Notice how each vitamin’s discovery and chemistry contribute to its naming. For example, the scientific name of vitamin b12 is Cobalamin because of the cobalt ion in its structure. Similarly, the scientific name of vitamin C is Ascorbic Acid, pointing to its role in preventing scurvy (“scorbutus”). The scientific name of vitamin D is often listed as Calciferol or Cholecalciferol, emphasising its role in calcium absorption. The scientific name of vitamin E is Tocopherol, derived from the Greek words meaning “to bring forth offspring,” since it was initially linked with fertility. Also, read our detailed Balanced Diet to stay strong and healthy.

Why Scientific Names Matter

Consistency in Research: Using standard scientific names in academic articles helps avoid confusion caused by multiple common names.
Clear Chemical Identity: Scientific names reflect the compound’s structure, making it easier for researchers to pinpoint and study it.
Global Communication: Scientists and healthcare professionals worldwide rely on these names to share accurate information.

Unique Facts to Boost Your Knowledge

History of Discovery: The term “vitamine” was first proposed by Casimir Funk. Later, the “e” was dropped when it was found not all vitamins are amines.
Vitamin B Complex Family: When we say vitamin B scientific name, we often refer to a group (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12). They work closely together to maintain cell metabolism.
Sunlight & Vitamin D: The body can synthesise vitamin D from cholesterol in the skin under sunlight exposure, which is why it’s called the “sunshine vitamin.”
Storage & Toxicity: Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) can accumulate in body fat, so excessive intake might lead to toxicity—a reminder that balance is key.

Fun Task: Create a Personal Vitamin Tracker

Step 1: List out everything you eat for a day or two.
Step 2: Identify which vitamins are predominantly present in each meal or snack.
Step 3: Note any gaps—are you missing any essential vitamins consistently?
Step 4: Try adding one new food rich in that missing vitamin.

See if you can find the vitamin scientific name and the disease risk you’re avoiding by improving your diet. This hands-on activity helps you become more aware of what you eat and how to balance your nutrition.

Interactive Quiz: Test Your Vitamin Knowledge

Which vitamin is known for helping our body absorb calcium for strong bones?
What is the scientific name of vitamin b12?
Scurvy is caused by the deficiency of which vitamin?
Name the scientific name of vitamin d commonly produced in your skin upon sunlight exposure.
Which vitamin is crucial for blood clotting and has vitamin k scientific name as Phytonadione?

Check Your Answers Below

Vitamin D (Calciferol or Cholecalciferol).
Cobalamin.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid).
Cholecalciferol (a form of Vitamin D).
Vitamin K (Phytonadione).

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FAQs on Scientific Names of Vitamins Explained for Students

1. What are vitamins, and what is the primary basis for their classification?

Vitamins are essential organic compounds that an organism requires in small quantities for proper metabolic function. They are primarily classified based on their solubility. This key difference determines how they are absorbed, transported, and stored in the body. The two main groups are fat-soluble vitamins and water-soluble vitamins.

2. What are the scientific names of the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)?

The scientific names for the fat-soluble vitamins, which are stored in the body's fatty tissues and liver, are:

Vitamin A: Retinol
Vitamin D: Calciferol (Cholecalciferol - D3, Ergocalciferol - D2)
Vitamin E: Tocopherol
Vitamin K: Phytonadione (K1) and Menaquinone (K2)

3. What are the scientific names for the water-soluble vitamins (C and B-complex)?

Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body for long and must be regularly replenished. Their scientific names are:

Vitamin C: Ascorbic Acid
Vitamin B1: Thiamine
Vitamin B2: Riboflavin
Vitamin B3: Niacin
Vitamin B5: Pantothenic Acid
Vitamin B6: Pyridoxine
Vitamin B7: Biotin
Vitamin B9: Folic Acid (or Folate)
Vitamin B12: Cobalamin

4. Why do vitamins have specific scientific names like 'Tocopherol' instead of just letters like 'Vitamin E'?

Using scientific names is crucial for accuracy and clarity in science and medicine. A name like Tocopherol precisely identifies the chemical structure and function of Vitamin E, avoiding the ambiguity of common names. This allows scientists, doctors, and nutritionists worldwide to communicate about the exact same compound without confusion, which is vital for research, diagnosis, and treatment.

5. How does the chemical property of being 'fat-soluble' versus 'water-soluble' affect how the body handles vitamins?

The solubility of a vitamin dictates its biological pathway. Fat-soluble vitamins like Retinol (Vitamin A) dissolve in fat and can be stored for long periods in the liver and fatty tissues, increasing the risk of toxicity if overconsumed. In contrast, water-soluble vitamins like Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) dissolve in water, are easily absorbed, and any excess is typically excreted through urine, making overdose rare.

6. Why is the Vitamin B group referred to as a 'complex'?

The Vitamin B group is called a 'complex' because it consists of eight chemically distinct vitamins that often coexist in the same food sources and frequently work together in the body. Although each B vitamin, such as Thiamine (B1) and Cobalamin (B12), has a unique function, they are all crucial for cell metabolism and converting food into energy.

7. What is a provitamin, with an example related to Vitamin A?

A provitamin is a substance that the body can convert into an active vitamin. A classic example is Beta-carotene, a pigment found in colourful vegetables like carrots and spinach. When ingested, the body converts Beta-carotene into Retinol, the active form of Vitamin A, which is essential for vision and immune function.

8. What is the relationship between a vitamin's scientific name and its associated deficiency disease?

While the name itself doesn't always describe the disease, understanding the vitamin's function is key. For example, a deficiency of Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), which is vital for collagen synthesis, leads to a condition called Scurvy, characterized by weak connective tissues. Similarly, a lack of Thiamine (Vitamin B1) can cause Beriberi, a disease affecting the nervous system.

9. What is the difference between the two main forms of Vitamin D, Cholecalciferol and Ergocalciferol?

The two primary forms of Vitamin D are distinguished by their source and slight structural differences. Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) is the form naturally produced by the human skin upon exposure to sunlight and is also found in animal-based foods. Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2) is derived from plant sources and fortified foods. Both are converted into the active form of Vitamin D in the body.