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[V144]Vitamins And The Body

by Charlene J. Nuble, Cha

Symptoms of a deficiency in vitamins and minerals usually appear when the lack is already in a relatively advanced level.For instance, people who do not have enough of the vitamins A, B1 and B2 suffer from recurring tiredness, mental or emotional disturbances, loss of appetite and chapped lips, among others.

The common causes of these vitamin deficiencies include poor eating habits, alcoholism, emotional stress, the improper absorption of vitamins and minerals (usually due to liver or intestinal disorders), the intake of medicines that interfere with the ingestion of vitamins and lack of exposure to sunlight.

If you constantly feel sluggish and suffer from chronic health-related inconveniences, you might be short of the vitamins your body needs to function properly. Doctors will usually prescribe supplements that address the lack of vitamins and minerals in the body. However, also keep in mind not to overdo it, as an excess of vitamins can also be harmful.

Do you still need to take vitamins even if you maintain a healthy diet? The answer is yes. Proper food consumption should be accompanied by the right vitamins and minerals. Vitamins serve as buffers in the event that your diet does not meet your daily requirements fully. Surely you can’t calculate how much vitamins and minerals your body takes in with every meal you consume. And while most people take vitamins to avoid common deficiency-related diseases, not all products available cater to what your body requires. There are those that still lack what you need.

The key components you must look for in a supplement are the vitamins B6, B12, D, E and folic acid. Aside from being dietary supplements, these so-called B vitamins have been known to help combat certain types of cancer and heart ailments. While there remains no hard-lined link between cancer and a daily intake of B vitamins, studies that suggest their preventive powers have helped raise the importance of daily doses of vitamins and minerals into our system.

Standard RDA-level vitamins can easily be bought over the counter at a reasonable price. Yes, the old belief that a proper diet is enough to keep you going has become a myth. It is time to invest in our health. Whether we admit it or not, we need vitamins. Sure, it does lead to added costs; but when we really think about it, vitamins are probably the cheapest type of insurance readily available in the market right now. Who are we to say no?

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Vitamins are basically organic compounds that are naturally found in most foods that we eat and even in the form of vitamin supplements. There are over 13 different vitamins that are required to perform crucial functions such as protecting the body against infections and disease, aiding in the metabolic process and elimination of waste products from the body.

A healthy body that has all the essential vitamins is able to create the enzymes and hormones that help control blood pressure, heart rate and glucose levels.

Each of these vitamins have different recommended daily allowances depending on a person's age and current health levels. For example, women who are pregnant, children, elderly people and men have different nutritional requirements and hence require varying amounts.

It is very important to have a balanced nutritious diet to maintain optimal health. If we consume the wrong foods high in fats and sugars, they will have adverse effects on our health and body.

Insufficient quantities of vitamins may lead to a vitamin deficiency. These deficiencies may not be that noticeable in the initial stages but if remained untreated, can lead to serious health problems over time.

Poor eating habits are the main cause of vitamin deficiencies. A nutritious and well balanced diet is a must for optimal health but very few people actually eat one. Today junk foods that are rich in fat and sugar have replaced healthy foods so people are at a greater risk of developing a vitamin deficiency.

Providing detailed information on nutrition and the right foods can help prevent these deficiencies. Generally, the negative effects of a poor diet can be seen when the body begins to gain weight which is one of the fist visible signs of a deficiency.

There are several health problems associated to vitamin deficiencies. For example, insufficient amounts of vitamin D can lead to weak and deformed bones. A Vitamin C deficiency can lead to weakness, fatigue, muscles aches and sometimes even lead to bleeding gums. Inadequate amounts of Vitamin E can actually destroy red blood cells in the body making it more vulnerable to disease and infections. In severe cases, an overall vitamin deficiency can even lead to death.

The adverse effects of vitamin deficiencies can be counteracted to some extend by vitamin supplements. However, a blood test is the best means of finding out whether one has a vitamin deficiency or not.

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Both Charlene J. Nuble & Mike Singh are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Charlene J. Nuble has sinced written about articles on various topics from Disease & illness, Asthma and Yeast Infection. Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about vitamins and supplements, please go to: or for updated links. Charlene J. Nuble's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.

Mike Singh has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home, Fishing and Dental Insurance. Tired of reading outdated fitness and health articles on the web? Well, wait no longer, check out .. Mike Singh's top article generates over 368000 views. to your Favourites.