Are You Totally Certain That You're Getting The Vitamins You Need From The Food You Consume?

By Author: Andrew Bui
Total Articles: 1231
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"It seems that we've wrestled with the issue of whether to take vitamins since they were first discovered. Does knowing that vitamins are nutrients that our bodies can't supply us help answer the question?

The discovery of vitamins happened a bit more than one-hundred years ago. They were named micro nutrients because the body requires them in very small amounts. Although we need only small quantities they're nonetheless vitally important to certain biological processes. So, how do we acquire them and what quantities do we need?

We're supposed to be getting our daily input of vitamins from the food we eat. That takes for granted that we're all eating well-balanced healthy meals that are rich in fruit and vegetables. Think about that the next time you pick up a crème filled donut for breakfast.

The more likely scenario is that, despite knowing what we should be eating, we're simply not eating the kinds of food in balanced portions the way we're supposed to. There's really nothing very astonishing about that viewpoint. And, even if we do try to eat healthy food we can't always sure that we're ...
... getting the vitamins we need from the highly processed, chemically altered food available in today's market.

Then there are groups of people who may think they're getting the vitamins they should be or not know that the vitamins they're getting aren't being efficiently absorbed by the body due to special health circumstances or lifestyle choices. These groups contain people like pregnant women, the elderly, smokers and post-menopausal women to name just a few but it's a lengthy list.

Vitamins work to support the body's chemical processes that help us get the best use of other important elements like proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, three ingredients that we've all heard about. Additionally, they are involved in helping us thwart infections, colds, certain skin conditions as well as helping us maintain strong vision. One thing you can't count on vitamins for is a lift in energy. Vitamins are without calories and calories are what we burn to get energy.

What are the results of not getting the vitamins you need? Well that might just lead to a vitamin deficiency and that can take many forms depending on what vitamin is lacking. Some of the more common symptoms are skin problems, vision problems and hair and nail troubles. That leaves out the more serious ailments that can show up due to vitamin deficiency.

Finally, it's important to know that vitamin supplements are classified according to how they're stored in the body; they're either water soluble or fat soluble. Water soluble conveys that they are not retained in the body over long period of times. Any amounts that the body can't use are released in the urine. These are fairly safe to take because they do not remain in the body long and therefore cannot reach toxic levels that would negate all their good effects. On the other hand, fat soluble vitamins need to be handled more knowledgeably because they are stored in the body for long periods of time. Every time fat soluble vitamins are taken, the extra amount that the body can't use is stored and that amount can grow to higher and higher levels until possibly reaching a degree of toxicity that could actually be damaging. It's important to realize the differences and to act accordingly by reading and carefully adhering to label directions. If you plan to deviate from the recommendations of the manufacturer, then it's a good idea to do so only under the advice of a trained professional."
There is much information just waiting to be verified on Vitamins and Vitamin Supplements.