Vitamin Supplements - How can they help you?

Do you need vitamin supplements? You might -- vitamins are essential to good health, and the most common ones cannot be created by our bodies. They are introduced to your system via the foods you eat.

To get the recommended amount of vitamins for good health, you need to follow a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and dairy. That being said, try as we might, most of us don't eat properly or have trouble balancing all the important combinations of food. Taking vitamin supplements can give you added nutrition you need to safeguard your health and well being.

Of course, not all dietary supplements are created equal. There are a few critical factors you would be wise to consider when you think about using these products. We'll cover those areas later in this article.

Let's take a closer look at . . .

Facts about Vitamins - Nutritional Basics

What exactly do vitamins do?

Vitamins are nutrients that your body needs in order to perform chemical processes. The basic function of vitamins is to work with enzymes and coenzymes -- molecules that play a key part in important bodily functions, such as producing energy or building tissue.

There are thirteen vitamins, and they are divided into two groups. The first group is fat-soluble or oil-soluble vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in fat cells, which means your body can keep these nutrients on hand, for whenever they are needed. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble.

The other group is water-soluble vitamins. These are stored in your body in small amounts; any build-up not used is eliminated via urine, usually within a few hours. Water-soluble vitamins include C, the B-complex vitamins, folic acid, and biotin.

Vitamin A - Beta-Carotene

Vitamin A is a must for your eyesight, particularly night vision. It can also lower your risk of getting age related macular degeneration. It also helps improve your immune system and guards against viruses.

Vitamin A will help keep your teeth and gums healthy, too. As you age, vitamin A will also help keep your brain functioning clearly, and the proper amount can even keep your mind and mental functions from declining.

Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 is needed for healthy cells. It is also used to help prevent cataracts and will help with tired eyes. It is also said to help with migraines and help prevent chapped lips. If you don't get enough vitamin B2, your dry eye symptoms may just be a lack of vitamin B2. You can also experience cold sore like sores and chapping around the mouth and lips, and even oily skin.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Vitamin B3 helps increase circulation and can help reduce high blood pressure. It can also lower cholesterol and is said to help fight depression and migraines.

It can even improve your sex life. If you don't get enough you could suffer headaches, depression, upset stomach and develop painful canker sores.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is known as the "happiness" vitamin. If you don't get enough of it, it can cause depression, stress and even anxiety. It lifts your body's levels of neurotransmitters that make you feel happy and peaceful.

It also boosts your immune system which can help you lower your chances of having heart disease, strokes and some cancers. If you don't get enough of vitamin B6 you can also end up with nerve damage which will affect your feet and hands.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 helps your nervous system to perform well by insulating your body's nerves. Not having enough of this vitamin can also increase your risk for heart disease by causing a spike in the levels of amino acids in your body. Lack of enough vitamin B12 can cause dementia, depression, anemia and more.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is the vitamin that keeps us ticking and helps our immune system function at its best. In several clinical studies, it has been shown to decrease the duration or symptom severity of the common cold.

Along with building a healthy immune system, vitamin C it can help you achieve healthy cholesterol levels, and as a potent antioxidant, will neutralize free radicals.

Recent studies are also suggesting that taking higher amounts of C could protect the heart but that has not been proven yet. It may also reduce the risk of different cancers. If you're not getting enough C you may be at a higher risk of arthritis.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D offers a treasure trove of health benefits. It is necessary for proper calcium absorption and could also help prevent several cancers including ovarian, colon, and breast cancer.

If your body doesn't get enough vitamin D you could suffer and even die prematurely from heart disease. The jury is still out but researchers are saying that vitamin D may also help lower your chances of getting diabetes and may even fight depression.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant in its purest form. It defends your skin from UV damage, protects you from free radicals keeping your cells healthy. It will boost your immune system and help prevent cataracts.

It has been said that it vitamin E may even safeguard you from cancer, memory loss and heart disease. This vitamin will help you live the good life but most of us don't get enough of it. It is in a lot of live foods but in low quantity. If you don't get enough vitamin E you may experience an absence of sexual function, parched skin, and low reproductive abilities.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K moves calcium into your bones to keep it from leaking out and can help you from fracturing bones. It's most well known for clotting blood when you are cut or injured to avoid bleeding out. If you don't get enough vitamin K your blood won't clot.

Folic Acid/Folate

Folic Acid/Folate can help prevent birth defects. It also promotes healthy cell growth and it is said that it might help reduce the risk of heart disease and memory loss. Lack of the right amounts of folic acid could cause you to become prematurely gray and could cause anemia.

If you are ready to start taking vitamin supplements to boost your health, you need to go for quality. Since vitamins are not considered drugs, every nutritional supplement manufacturer can produce their vitamins differently. You want to make sure you are getting the quality and amount of each for them to be beneficial. You'll want to be sure and read the label also. If they don't clearly spell out the dosage or ingredients, keep looking for the right brand.

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