Handbook of Vitamins

Knowledge of vitamins in health and disease has increased markedly in recent years due to extraordinary advances in analytical and separation methodologies (1,8,9). Although each of the past six decades has been exciting from the standpoint of improved approaches in the isolation, identification, and synthesis of vitamins, the past 10 years have been particularly important. In addition, improved methodology has never been so available to the typical researcher. With improved methodologies and sources of inexpensive vitamins, it is now possible to study the functions of vitamins in clinical settings. Improved methods have led, in turn, to a better understanding of the roles that vitamins play as catalysts, cellular regulators, and co-substrates. Moreover, there is now a better appreciationof vitaminlike accessory f