The American Dietetic Association provides the following information on vitamins. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps you see normally in the dark and promotes the growth and health of all body cells and tissues. It also protects against infection by keeping healthy the skin and tissues in the mouth, stomach, intestines and respiratory and uro-genital tract. Can lead to birth defects, headaches, vomiting, double vision, hair loss, bone abnormalities and liver damage. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and helps deposit these minerals in bones and teeth to make them strong.
Children can develop rickets or defective bone growth.
Can lead to kidney stones or kidney damage, weak muscles and bones, excessive bleeding and other problems. Excessive amounts usually come from supplements, not food or overexposure to sunlight. Deficiencies are very rare, as vitamin E is abundant in foods. Premature, very low birthweight babies and people who do not absorb fat normally may have deficiency problems. Vegetable oils and margarine, salad dressing and other foods made from vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, wheat germ, leafy-green vegetables.