Which group of vitamins helps regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats?

• A. Fat-soluble vitamins
• B. Water-soluble vitamins
• C. Minerals
• D. Antioxidants

Answer: (B)

The group of vitamins that helps regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats is the water-soluble vitamins. This category includes the B vitamins, such as B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate), and B12 (cobalamin). These vitamins play crucial roles in the metabolic processes that convert the macronutrients—carbohydrates, proteins, and fats—into energy that the body can use.

Water-soluble vitamins are important because they often act as coenzymes or precursors for enzymes involved in metabolic pathways. For instance, thiamine is essential for carbohydrate metabolism, while niacin and riboflavin are vital for the metabolism of macronutrients into usable energy. As water-soluble vitamins are not stored in large quantities in the body and are excreted through urine, they need to be consumed regularly through diet.

In contrast, fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants serve different functions in the body. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are primarily involved in functions such