Understanding Vitamins

Vitamins are essential nutrients that the body needs to stay healthy. While they are crucial to health, the body doesn’t actually produce them by itself. Instead, we get most of our vitamins from the foods we eat.

Here, we’ll look at some of the different types of vitamins the body needs, where to find them and the benefits they provide.

What Are the Different Types of Vitamins?

Vitamins are split into two main groups – fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins. They are absorbed slightly differently by the body and provide different benefits.

Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamin A, D, E and K. They dissolve in fat and then travel through the bloodstream. These vitamins are found in foods such as egg yolks, fatty fish, dairy products and liver.

Water-soluble vitamins include vitamins B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B9 and B12. They also include vitamin C, making them the most common type of vitamins. They dissolve in water and are absorbed easily by the body’s tissues.

What Benefits Do They Provide?

Vitamins provide a huge range of benefits to the body. Each one offers slightly different benefits.

Vitamin D, otherwise known as the sunshine vitamin, has several different functions. Most importantly, it helps to regulate the absorption of phosphorus and calcium. It is also responsible for ensuring the immune system is working correctly. A good level of vitamin D is also required to help the bones and teeth grow strong and healthy.

Vitamin A is known to have a lot of benefits for the body. It can help you to see better at night, supports a healthy immune system, improves the skin and even helps fight off certain cancers.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. It protects the cells of the body, while enhancing the immune system. Studies have shown that it can help to protect the elderly against illnesses, as well as ease menstrual discomfort. There is also some evidence to suggest that it can improve the skin and encourage new hair growth.

The B-vitamins boast a wide range of benefits including good digestion, increased red blood cells, healthy brain function and improved cardiovascular health.

What Are Vitamin Supplements?

Vitamin supplements are designed to top up your vitamin levels. They are recommended for those who don’t get enough vitamins in their daily diet. However, it is important to note here that vitamins should never be used as a replacement for a healthy diet.

There are literally hundreds of different brands of vitamins supplements available. No two supplements are the same and they aren’t as well regulated as you might think. Therefore, always make sure you buy your supplements from a well-known, reliable supplier.

As you can see, vitamins are an important part of a healthy diet. While it is always better to get your vitamin content from the foods you eat, sometimes supplements can come in useful. Just make sure you take the time to find good quality supplements and never take more than you actually need.