Vitamins are tiny nutrients your body needs to work properly—but here’s the catch: your body can’t make most of them on its own. Think of vitamins like the oil in a car engine. You don’t need much, but without them, things start to break down.

There are 13 essential vitamins, and each one has a special job. For example, Vitamin C helps your body heal cuts and fight colds, while Vitamin D helps your bones stay strong by helping you absorb calcium. Some vitamins, like Vitamin A, support your vision, and others, like B vitamins, give you energy by helping turn food into fuel.

Vitamins fall into two main groups:

1. Water-soluble vitamins (like Vitamin C and all the B vitamins) dissolve in water. Your body doesn’t store them, so you need to consume them regularly through food or supplements.
2. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) dissolve in fat and are stored in your body’s fatty tissues and liver. You don’t need them every day, but having too much can be harmful.

You can find vitamins naturally in fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and grains. For instance, oranges are packed with Vitamin C, while milk is often fortified with Vitamin D.

So, do you need supplements? Not always. Most people can get enough vitamins from a balanced diet. But in some cases—like during pregnancy or with certain health conditions—your doctor may recommend extra help.

Understanding vitamins is a great step toward better health. As research grows, scientists continue to discover how these small nutrients play big roles in how we feel, heal, and live.