There are many interesting facts about vitamins – For example, It is a fact and common knowledge that vitamins are an essential part to being a healthy human being but there are also some more interesting and detailed facts about vitamins.
Our usual intake of these micronutrients are through unrefined foods (like fruits and vegetables) ; However, we can also get the nutrients from external sources – vitamin supplements. So, why would you need to understand the importance of these great vitamins?
I will give you a simple answer – Because, without vitamins, your body would cease to function properly.
Inside your body there are thousands and thousands of processes and chemical reactions taking place to keep you healthy, keep your energy levels up etc I could go on and on.
If you are deficient in just one vitamin (most of us are!), you could stop thousands of important processes from taking place within your body. We really are what we eat!
There are fat soluble vitamins and water soluble vitamins.
The difference between the two types is that the fat soluble vitamins are more readily stored in your body so if you are getting too much of these fat soluble vitamins, you’re more likely to overdose and see signs of toxicity.
Water soluble vitamins are more easily excreted when we urinate. This doesn’t mean we can’t overdose – just that it is harder to. So always be aware of the upper consumption limit of vitamins. (This is different to the guideline daily amount)
Here are some common facts about vitamins that are fat soluble :
Vitamin D: This vitamin will help you maintain and grow your bones. It also contributes to your strong teeth. You wouldn’t want dentures at an early age would you? Cereal, egg yolks, fish, and milk are common foods that will give you the vitamin d you need.
Vitamin K: Ever have a cut and in a few minutes it begins to clot and stop bleeding? That is the Vitamin K in your blood. It acts as a glue for wounds. Soybean oil, milk, vegetables, and yogurt can provide the Vitamin K you will need to clot your blood.
Vitamin E: One of the hardest working vitamins in the human body. It maintains the cell tissues of your eyes, liver, and skin. It also prevents your lungs from collapsing from air pollution. Seeds, nuts, sardines, and egg yolks are a few of the foods that will give you Vitamin E.
Vitamin A: Helps with vision, growth of bones, our reproductive system and cell division.
The rest of the Vitamins are water soluble – Here are some common facts about vitamins that are water soluble
Vitamins B Complex (1,2,3,5,6,7,9 and 12) :
The reason there are so many B vitamins is because most of them were re-classified. Ever wondered why there is such a big gap between Vitamin E and K?
Whatever happened to Vitamins F,G,H,I,J etc?
Well, they were re-classified as the many different B Vitamins because they had such a close relationship to the Vitamin B. So vitamin B became a “complex”.
You may have noticed that B vitamin products sold are normally called a Vitamin B complex and now you know why! One of many interesting facts about vitamins.
The benefits of a Vitamin B complex are many – They range from increased energy levels, improved mood and maintenance of healthy skin, hair and eyes.
Being deficient in this vitamin complex will have the opposing side effects – I.e : Low energy levels, depression, dermatitis of the skin etc
Vitamin C : Probably the most well known Vitamin around – Vitamin C is used for many hundreds of metabolic processes in the body including tissue growth and repair, proper function of your body’s cells and helps with healing of wounds.
Deficiencies include low bone density, bleeding gums due to fragile blood capillaries and a decrease in the strength of your immune system putting you at a higher risk of catching colds.
Vitamin C can be found in most fruits and vegetables!
I hope that these facts about vitamins have helped you to understand the importance of having enough vitamins in your diet.
They have become doubly important recently due to increased pollution in our body’s from the environment and the artificial chemicals found in our foods. More importantly most packaged foods you buy from the supermarket have been refined (stripped of their vitamins!).
If you’re an exerciser, then a multivitamin supplement is crucial as your body will be using many more vitamins than the average Joe due to your workouts!