Vitamins are essential micronutrients whose deficiencies are widespread particularly among the underprivileged. They play key roles in human metabolism. Prevention of vitamin deficits is best solved by ingesting a wide range of good quality foods, or through use of appropriately fortified foods. Vitamin supplementation is an option which must be used cautiously to minimize risks of toxicity and other adverse effects resulting from interactions with medications, health status, age, life style factors and complications emanating from genetic background. Ideally, clinical evaluation of a subject should precede judicious use of vitamin supplements.