Very Vitamins

Vitamins are organic compounds which are essential in small amounts to life and well-being. Vitamins generally cannot be synthesized in the body (the body cannot “make” vitamins), they must be taken from our diet. There are 13 major vitamins which each have a range of functions within the body. Vitamins are divided into groups. There are 6 groups in total : A, B, C, D, E and K. Each group is responsible for certain body function, and therefore lack of vitamins from that group will result in problems in that area of body functions.

Let's take a look at the different groups, the advantages they have and the dangers of not having enough of them. We'll also look at how one can obtain a good amount of that vitamin group.

Vitamin A: Helps eye sight, as well as night vision. Strengthens bones and teeth. Useful in preventing skin problems such as acne. Lack of Vitamin A may cause immunity deficiency, eye sight and skin problems. Vitamin A can be found in fruit like melon and in vegetables like carrot and pumpkin.

Vitamin B: The vitamins in this group help preserve the skin and helps the nerve system function. It also enables the manufacturing of red blood cells, which carry the oxygen to all body parts. These Vitamins are extremely important. Lack of them can cause anemia, depression, hair loss and nerve damage. The Vitamin B can be found in fish and vegetables like Broccoli and Spinach.

Vitamin C: Helps the bones and helps wounds cure rapidly. Prevents infections and diseases from developing. Prevents colds and the dreaded Scurvy disease which killed thousands of people before the importance of Vitamin C was recognized. Vitamin C can be found in all Citrus as well as in tomatoes and Broccoli

Vitamin D: Aids in the absorption of Calcium in the bones. Strengthens bones and teeth. Can be found in sea vegitables, Tuna Fish and eggs. You can also get the body to produce it via exposure to sun light.

Vitamin E: Prevents tissue aging, reserves the skin, neutralizes free radicals. Prevents vascular diseases. Can be found in Corn, Peanuts and green vegetables.

Vitamin K: Helps absorb fats in the digestion process. Can be found in some cheese and green vegetables.

It's important to note that the best way to get vitamins is straight from the food source itself. However, there are many people who take vitamin pills to make sure the levels of vitamins in their system are adequate. This is a good solution as many people's nutrition is lacking from their diet. Remember that too much of a certain vitamin can be harmful as well. Therefore multi vitamins are popular as it lets your body have access to the nutrition it is lacking at the moment.
There are two types of vitamins fat or water soluble vitamins?

Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble
This means that a certain amount of fat is needed in the diet to help the body absorb these vitamins. Unused supplies can be stored in the fat tissues in your body and in your liver until your body needs them, some are stored for a few days, some for up to six months.

The B group vitamins are water soluble
(consisting of vitamin B1, B2, B6, B12. Additionally vitamin C, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin and folic acid) They cannot be stored in the body so we need a daily supply of them. Water-soluble vitamins other hand are different they are not stored as much in your body. Instead, they travel through your bloodstream and whatever your body doesn't use comes out when you urinate. So these kinds of vitamins need to be replaced daily, and many people fail to do so and feel exhausted, lack vitality and energy.

If we all ate a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, low salt, low starch, low carbohydrates, and mostly natural foods, taking vitamins would not be necessary, but since many people in western society as a general rule eat more fat, starch and processed foods than ever before, vitamins are definitely a good thing to add to your routine. The problem is, if you don't take vitamins properly, you may not be getting the full effect of their health benefits. Make sure you talk to someone who understands what you are taking and how to tak is, a good multivitamin may be the foundation of health and nutrition.

A Harvard research study titled “Vitamins for Chronic Disease Prevention in Adults” that was published in the June 2002 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, concluded that people who get enough vitamins might be able to prevent such common chronic illnesses as cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis. Based on the finding of this study the AMA (American Medical Association) now recommends that all adults take multivitamins daily.

The main reason I take supplements is it is a very cheap form of insurance against gaps in my diet.