Vitamins are organic compounds that the human body cannot produce and therefore must acquire through the diet. To help maintain good health, humans need 13 different vitamins. These include: vitamin A, the various B and D vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K. Deficiencies of these essential vitamins can cause the body to enter a diseased state. Deficiencies of different vitamins manifest themselves with differing diseased states. For example, night-blindness is linked to vitamin A deficiency, while Rickets is linked to vitamin D deficiency.
The relationship between foods and maintaining health has been recognized for centuries. For example, in 1747, Dr. James Lind discovered that citrus fruits prevented scurvy. Some stores of vitamins within the body can last well over a year, as is the case with vitamin B12. Others can deplete more rapidly—lasting only a couple of weeks. A vitamin can be either fat or water soluble. Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body. Often they need to be replenished more frequently. Fat-soluble vitamins, however, are stored in the body. Excessive intake of fat-soluble vitamins can cause toxicity in the body. Fat-soluble vitamins include A, E, D and K.
Today there is debate among experts over the benefits of vitamin supplements. Some believe supplements must be taken in conjunction with the daily diet. This is because many foods are processed and artificially enriched—which can reduce the nutrient level naturally found in these foods. Moreover, even fresh fruits and vegetables are picked prematurely and shipped long distances before arriving
Developing Those Elusive Bright Eyes… with Vitamins and Minerals
Vision is one of our most precious senses. Without it the world as we know it would be blank. One of the things that we can do daily to protect our eyes from harm is to be sure that each day we consume the recommended daily intake levels of...
on grocery shelves. For this reason, some physicians recommend taking vitamins.
The US RDA is a standard set forth by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences National Research Council to help Americans determine a proper level of daily vitamin intake. It is important to note, however, that these levels are sometimes quite modest— intended to meet the nutrient needs of already healthy individuals. For some, these amounts may be lower than optimal. For example additional amounts of vitamins may be needed during illness. Consequently, the Board has also set two other values: the tolerable upper intake levels (UL) and the adequate intakes (AI). The UL values are designed to help people avoid over consumption. AL values are established when there is not enough scientific evidence to set an RDA.
It is important to note that different developmental stages and physiologies may require varying vitamin intakes. Children, adolescents, women, and men all have differing needs. Consulting a specialist is the best way to determine personal vitamin needs. Moreover, some supplements may negatively interact with prescription drugs. Therefore, all supplemental intakes should be discussed with a physician.
A proper balance of vitamin intake can enhance personal health and increase energy levels. These essential nutrients aid in the regulation of many bodily functions and can prevent illnesses. Their value must not be underestimated.
About the Author
Ruth Stattmiller enjoys writing about the benefits of vitamins.
Written by: Ruth Stattmiller
Our site features tons of articles and rss feeds about
Vitamins. We provide these articles about Vitamins as a public service and hope that you will find them useful. However, we are not responsible for the content of these articles nor do we do not endorse or recommend any of the Vitamins-related websites or pages/images we link to. Use of our site constitutes acceptance of our
disclaimer. Vitamins is a serious condition and you should always seek the advice of a qualified health professional. Do not base any health decisions on any of the information contained on this site.
More About Vitamins
Once You Discover and Act on This Secret to Health and Energy You May
I discovered something completely, 100% amazing about 5 years ago. The first thing it did for me health- wise was get rid of my back problem to the point that I no longer needed the chiropractic treatment that I would get once or twice per month....
An Overlooked Plan for Bush Kerry Democrats Republicans and Healthcare
In an effort to assist our political leadership it would be wise to have a simple solution to a life threatening problem. The much talked about Medicare Medication benefits are going to waste if the medications are not taken properly. Since this...
What is the difference between a power of attorney and a guardianship
What is the difference between a power of attorney and a guardianship? Which is appropriate for someone with Alzheimer's? A power of attorney is a legal document in which one person (the principal) authorizes another (the agent) to act on his/her...
Back pain joint pain knee pain arthritis and a host of other pain ailm
"The smallest pain in our little finger gives us more concern than the destruction of millions of our fellow beings." William Hazlitt [1778-1830. British Essayist] If "The smallest pain in our little finger gives us more concern..." then what happens...
A widespread link between heart disease arthritis and cancer now seems
Adapted from THE CALCIUM BOMB: The Nanobacteria Link to Heart Disease and Cancer, by Douglas Mulhall &Katja Hansen (The Writers' Collective) www.calcify.com What medical condition affects more of us than heart disease, arthritis, or cancer, and why...
How To Choose A Good Quality Vitamin Supplement For You And Your Famil
How To Choose A Good Quality Vitamin Supplement For You And Your Family Without Getting Ripped Off As you may have already experienced, figuring out how to choose a good quality vitamin and mineral supplement can be a confusing and time consuming...
How To Choose A Good Quality Vitamin Supplement For You And Your Famil
How To Choose A Good Quality Vitamin Supplement For You And Your Family Without Getting Ripped Off As you may have already experienced, figuring out how to choose a good quality vitamin and mineral supplement can be a confusing and time consuming...
A Healthy Life the 4 Basics of a Healthy Life and the 3 Important Habi
Good health is easy but being sick is hard. The truth is, maintaining good health is pretty simple although reclaiming it takes patience, consistent actions and smart choices. Your body heals at it's own pace. Your job is to help that process along....
Once You Discover and Act on This Secret to Health and Energy You May
I discovered something completely, 100% amazing about 5 years ago. The first thing it did for me health- wise was get rid of my back problem to the point that I no longer needed the chiropractic treatment that I would get once or twice per month....
Aleve Vioxx Celebrex and Bextra What You Need to Know About Arthritis
Aleve, Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra: What You Need To Know About Arthritis Pain Medications Recent controversy about the safety of pain medications for arthritis has left patients and health care professionals alike confused about which medications are...
The Myths and Facts of Vitamin D and Sun Exposure Unverified reports claiming that unprotected, intentional sun exposure is necessary for Vitamin D formation are getting quite a bit of media coverage lately. Yet, dermatologists still advise the public to practice sun protection to prevent skin...
Vitamins and Minerals for a Healthy HairA lot of people actually pay a good deal of money just to make themselves look more attractive and feel better about themselves, but what they don’t know is that they can actually achieve this easily by keeping fit and staying healthy. Having...
Should I Be Taking Vitamin Supplements?Most people believe that they are reasonably healthy. Exercise, having a solid diet, and keeping stress to a minimum is a great way to live a longer, happier, and healthier life. That being said, will taking vitamin supplements help you even more?...
Vitamins In Our daily livesVitamins is something people been using for a while and it is more common this days. Is it good to use them or not? Many people say it is good since we live in a fast pace world, we live in a hurry and don’t have time to site down and relax...
Natural vs. Synthetic Herbs & Vitamins -Four Mountains, Inc. Reveals WHOLE truth about holes in the Health Supplement IndustryContact: Stacey Kumagai at 818.506.8675 CONSUMER ALERT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Natural vs. Synthetic Herbs & Vitamins Calabasas, CA –Paper or Plastic? 1 ply or 2? The best, natural, conscious choice is obvious. When it comes to herbs and vitamins…...
