It is very important that people understand how important vitamins are for our health. The body needs a minimum amount of vitamins and minerals each day to remain healthy and function properly.
Vitamins are not only important for children, they are important for adults too. However kids need vitamins to grow too.
They are vital to our health and longevity. In general, our body needs them for growth, function, energy, tissue repair and waste removal.
Vitamins control the chemical reactions within the body to convert food into energy and living tissue. They help the body use the energy nutrients, maintain normal body tissue, act as a regulator, and are only needed in small amounts.
Each vitamin and mineral substance meets specific body needs that one of the other compounds cannot substitute or act for instead. However the lack or deficiency of one of them can sometimes interfere with another vitamin or mineral’s function. If a vitamin or mineral deficiency continues, the person can incur a related disease.
Every vitamin has a specific and vital task to perform. It is important to know what vitamins are essential for our health, how they benefit us and where they can be obtained.
Some examples of how vitamins are important for our body are:
Vitamin A is needed particularly for good vision and healthy skin. It also improves the body’s healing ability.
Vitamin E is essential for the absorption of iron, slowing of the ageing process, and fertility. It is a powerful antioxidant which helps protect cells from damage by free radicals.
Vitamin A helps to regulate cell development, promote bone and teeth development, and boost the body’s immune system. It is needed particularly for good vision and healthy skin. It also improves the body’s healing ability
Vitamin D is important for the growth and development of strong bones and teeth. It assists in the absorption of calcium.
Vitamin C is required for healthy skin, bones, and muscles. It plays an important role in the manufacture of collagen, which is the connective tissue that holds bones together. Vitamin C also helps to protect the body from viruses and allergies. Besides, it lowers the level of cholesterol and aids the absorption of iron. Being an important antioxidant, it protects the body from free radicals and helps repair damaged tissue. Furthermore, it aids in the production of hemoglobin and red blood cells, accelerates wound healing and maintains the health of gums and teeth.
Vitamin K helps the clotting of blood and the healing of wounds.
Water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins B and C, need to be included in our daily diet as our body does not store any excess of these vitamins
Vitamin C can be found in fresh fruits, berries, tomatoes, broccoli, green peppers, vegetables and potatoes
Vitamin B1 can be obtained from wheat germ, peanuts, sunflower seeds, beans, pork, cereals and peas.
Vitamin B2 is mainly found in milk, cheese, yogurt, green leafy vegetables, liver, kidneys, chicken and bread.
The dietary sources of vitamin B3 include lean meats, poultry, fish, avocados, peanuts and sunflower seeds.
Vitamin B5 is mainly found in liver, kidneys, fish, eggs and whole-grain products.
The dietary sources of Vitamin B6 include meat, eggs, cabbage, melon, molasses, yeast, avocados, carrots, bananas, fish, rice, soybeans and whole grains.
Vitamin B12 can be obtained from fish, dairy products, pork, beef, lamb and eggs.
Make sure you eat a bit of everything to have all the vitamins your body needs.
