Vitamin Supplements
Vitamins are organic substances that are necessary for life and although the body is a powerful machine, one that is capable of doing all sorts of things by itself. The one thing it cannot do is make vitamins and, therefore, they must be obtained from food and vitamin supplements. Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning the body needs them in small amounts compared to other nutrients such as water, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
Vitamins are essential to the normal functioning of our bodies and are necessary for growth, health, normal metabolism and physical well-being. There are two types of vitamins: water soluble and fat soluble.
Water soluble vitamins must be taken in daily, as they cannot be stored by the body and whatever water-soluble vitamins are not used are excreted in urine within four hours to one day. These include the B-complex vitamins and vitamin C.
Fat soluble vitamins can be stored for longer periods of time in the body’s fatty tissue and liver. These include vitamins A, D, E, and K.
Here are some of the ways vitamins are of benefit to you:
- Vitamins protect the body from nutritional deficiency diseases.
- Vitamins regulate the metabolism and assist the biochemical processes that release energy from digested food.
- Vitamins work with enzymes, thereby allowing all activities that occur within the body to be carried out effectively and efficiently.
- Vitamins are needed for mental alertness.
- Vitamins are important for resistance to bacterial infections.
- Some vitamins ward off certain diseases such as cancer, while others are used for therapeutic effects.
- Vitamins influence the health of nearly every organ in your body.
- Vitamins enable your body to use other essential nutrients such as fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals.
It's important to note that a serious deficiency in even one vitamin can lead to health problems. Put simply, n Every nutrient requires other nutrients as cofactors, either for activation or function from each of the nutrient categories, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. For activation, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids require enzymes, and for function, essential fatty acids are also needed.
For example, zinc cannot function without vitamin B6, nor can some enzymes be made without it. Also, vitamins cannot function and cannot be assimilated without the aid of minerals. This confirms the need for a strong and safe vitamin supplement in your diet, to give you a well-rounded and nutritionally-sound intake of all essential vitamins and minerals.
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Informational note: The data presented on our health and nutrition website is for educational purposes only. Though we stive to be accurate in all of the information we present, it should not be taken as medical advice. NSC always recommends consulting your physician before beginning or modifying any diet or exercise program.
