It's probably safe to say that we require vitamins from the roots of our hair to the tips of our feet. Vitamins are extremely important organic compounds that our body needs for proper metabolism. That is why no nutrition is considered complete without the vitamins necessary to make our body work. Is it any wonder that the vitamin supplement industry continues to expand?



How vitamins affect our health and nutrition

Vitamins play a part in all the important functions that occur in our bodies including the formation of blood cells, hormones, chemicals needed in the nervous system and all of our genetic material.

Vitamins do not affect our bodies directly. Instead, they function as catalysts and take effect by combining with the proteins in our bodies to produce active enzymes. These enzymes are responsible for producing chemical reactions in the body. These chemical reactions are all linked. When one commences, it triggers another reaction which triggers another. When a body is vitamin deficient, this chain may break down and cause illness, disease or other conditions that affect the body negatively.

Vitamins also affect our nutrition and can boost the health-giving properties of foods to maximize their effect. All the carbohydrates, fats and proteins we take in the form of food and drinks are enhanced by vitamins.

Two kinds of vitamins

Knowing the two kinds of vitamins will help understand why it's essential that they be maintained at the recommended daily dosage. There are fat-soluble vitamins and water-soluble vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins are more easily absorbed by the body with the help of fat-containing food. These vitamins include A, D, E and K. Any excess are stored in the liver, kidneys and body fat.

Water-soluble vitamins are not stored by the body and are excreted through the urine if there are any excess amounts. That is why it's important to replenish the supply on a daily basis. These vitamins include Vitamin C and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, B6 and B12).

Where to find vitamins

Vitamins occur naturally in food and you can take advantage of this by maintaining good nutrition on a day-to-day basis. If you are vigilant enough to monitor your daily intake and you're young, there's almost no need for you to take vitamin supplements.

However, as you grow older and the body changes, other factors that are disruptive to your nutrition such as lifestyle changes and unhealthy habit formation makes it necessary to add to your vitamin source with supplements taken in pill form or as fortified food, bars and drinks.

The need for vitamin supplements

Food will remain the best source for vitamins. The only problem is that most of the food we eat and drink today are adulterated by processing methods. Washing, brushing, heating and other cooking and preparation methods reduce the amounts of vitamins contained in the source. That is why even with the best resources and meals, people are still malnourished.

There are also those individuals who are deficient in vitamins not only because of their choice but also because of their lifestyles. Through their choice of nutrition, habits and physical activities, they deplete their stores of vitamins without knowing it. To prevent any problems and correct any deficiency, vitamins are sourced through supplements in the form of pills, tablets, specially formulated food and fortified drinks.