The human body craves vitamins and minerals that are necessary for growth, vitality and an over-all healthy well-being. People get the majority of these much-needed vitamins through natural substances such food and/or the sunshine. When diet alone does not provide the sufficient amount of vitamins necessary for maintaining a healthy body, manufactured vitamins can supply the nourishment needed. Vitamins play an important role in the body’s health and each one has it’s own unique properties.
Vitamin A is also known as the “anti-infection” vitamin due to the role it plays in preventing the body from getting infections. A vitamins assist the surfaces of the body build barriers that prevent the dangerous micro-organisms from invading the immune system and it helps to build white blood cells.
In addition to fighting infections, Vitamin A also:
Counteracts night blindness
Helps maintain smooth, blemish free skin
Protects mucous membrane of mouth, throat, nose and lungs
Repair & growth of body tissues
Helps to reduce the risk of lung and certain types of oral cancers
There are four primary B vitamins, B1, B3, B6 and B12.
Each are organic compounds that are water-soluble and needed for a variety of the bodies organs and blood flow to function properly. Vitamin B is typically derived through vegetables and meats. It is water soluble therefore, a large amount is secreted through urine and sweat on a daily basis. Taking vitamin B supplements helps to replenish the nutrients lost through secretion.
Vitamin B1:
Promotes growth
Essential to the normal working of the nervous system, heart and muscles
Stabilizes appetite
Aids in digestion of carbohydrates
Generates energy
Vitamin B3:
Necessary for the maintenance of good skin, nails, hair and good vision
Maintains cells respiration
Essential for carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism
Promotes general health
Helps to form red blood cells and creates antibodies
Vitamin B6:
Necessary for the fusion and separation of amino acids
Aids in production of antibodies
Building blocks of protein
Reduces muscle spasms and leg cramps
Helps maintain a proper balance of phosphorous and sodium
Promotes healthy skin
Increases energy
Maintains healthy nervous system
Necessary for carbohydrate,fat and protein metabolism
Prevents anemia by assisting in the building of and regeneration of red blood cells
Promotes growth in children
Vitamin D is fat-soluble, meaning it is stored in the bodies fatty tissues so it stays in the body longer than a water soluble vitamin. Vitamin D is essential for maintaining the healthy levels of calcium and phosphorus needed in the blood and bones. Vitamin D has been shown to assist in the prevention of diabetes. When the body does not receive the daily requirement, it may result in a bone softening disease such as Osteoporosis and/or Rickets which is a disease found primarily in children.
Vitamin D is also required for:
Bone and teeth formation
Maintaining stable nervous system
Improves absorption and utilizes phosphorous and calcium
Protects against high blood pressure
Beneficial for protection of depression
May help to prevent certain cancers
Helps to reduce chronic pain
Vitamin E is also a fat-soluble vitamin, primarily beneficial for the antioxidant properties it provides. The majority of personal hygiene and/or skin products contain vitamin due to the benefits it provides in enhancing the skins appearance. Vitamin E is essential in producing antioxidants necessary to fight free radicals which are substances that may cause damage to cells and interfere with the immune system. A good source of vitamin E is typically found in green leafy vegetables, eggs and/or nuts. However, it is often difficult for sufficient amounts to be consumed, therefore a supplement would be necessary.
As well as its antioxidant benefits, Vitamin E also:
Is believed to strengthen the immune system and help fight disease
Helps to prevent a stroke
Prevents blockage of the arteries
Strengthens skin and makes it less prone to damage from UV rays and photo dermatitis
Prevents heart disease by blocking the conversion of fat into plaque and cholesterol
Prevents and dissolves blood clots
Helps in preventing sterility
Aids in bringing nourishment to cells
Alleviates fatigue by supplying oxygen
Retards cellular aging because of oxygen
Vitamin C, is one of the most well-known and most studied of all the vitamins necessary for a healthy body. Vitamin C is the primary vitamin that the human body does not produce on its own. The source must be received through an outside source such as sunlight, foods (primarily fruits). Although vitamin C is best associated with reducing the symptoms of a cold or the flu, it is beneficial to the body for a host of other reasons including:
Provides much needed strength to blood vessels
Is essential for the synthesis of collagen
Helps to build resistance to infection
Beneficial for healing wounds, scar tissue and fractures
Essential for healthy bones, teeth and gums
Aids in absorption of iron