food encyclopedia on urine

There are 10 water-soluble vitamins. The B complex vitamins
have various roles, some of which involve their action, in
concert, to regulate the body’s use of energy from food. Folic
acid is an important factor in the regulation of growth. During
the early stages of pregnancy, folic acid is important for
preventing a type of birth defect known as a neural tube
defect. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, functions
in various ways, many of which seem to be related to its
antioxidant properties (see the Appendix: A Quick Look—
Vitamins, Their Functions and Food Sources, page 430).

As their name implies, water-soluble vitamins dissolve
in water. The body strives to maintain the optimal level of
each of the water-soluble vitamins for its immediate needs.
Surplus water-soluble vitamins are excreted in the urine
and through perspiration, because they are not stored in
the body to any appreciable extent. Water-soluble vitamins
must be replenished almost daily, preferably by eating foods
that are rich in these vitamins. Fruits, vegetables, grains, and
beans are excellent sources of the water-soluble vitamins
(with the exception of vitamin B12, which is found only in
foods of animal origin). However, if you choose to use


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