Vitamins Benefits of Health

Vitamins Benefits of Health - If you are like most people, you've probably heard at least one of these sayings: 'Don't forget to take your vitamins!' or 'Eat your veggies -- they are packed with vitamins!' or maybe 'Need more energy? Take your vitamins!' But what exactly are vitamins?

Vitamins are nutrients your body needs to function and fight off disease. Your body cannot produce vitamins itself, so you must get them through food you eat or in some cases supplements. There are 13 vitamins that are essential to your body working well. Knowledge of the different types and understanding the purpose of these vitamins are important for good health. 

Types and Examples of Foods

There are two types of vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in your fat cells, consequently requiring fat in order to be absorbed. Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in your body; therefore, they need to be replenished daily. Your body takes what it needs from the food you eat and then excretes what is not needed as waste. Here is a list of vitamin types and some common food sources:

The fat soluble vitamins:

• Vitamin A - comes from orange colored fruits and vegetables; dark leafy greens, like kale 
• for more detail click on : Vitamin A
• Vitamin D - can be found in fortified milk and dairy products; cereals; (and of course sunshine!)
• for more detail click on : Vitamin D
• Vitamin E - is found in fortified cereals, leafy green vegetables, seeds, and nuts 
• for more detail click on Vitamin E
• Vitamin K - can be found in dark green leafy vegetables and turnip/beet greens 
• for more detail click on Vitamin K

The water soluble vitamins:

• Vitamin B1 or Thiamin - come from whole grains, enriched grains; liver; nuts, and seeds 
• for more detail click on Vitamin B1
• Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin - comes from whole grains, enriched grains, and dairy products
• for more detail click on : Vitamin B2
• Vitamin B3 or Niacin - comes from meat, fish, poultry, and whole grain.
• for more detail click on : Vitamin B3
• Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid - comes from meat, poultry, and whole grains 
• for more detail click on : Vitamin B5
• Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine - comes from fortified cereals and soy products 
• for more detail click on : Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B7 or Biotin - is found in fruits and meats 
• for more detail click on : Vitamin B7
• Vitamin B9 or Folic Acid (Folate) - comes from leafy vegetables 
• for more detail click on : Vitamin B9
• Vitamin B12 - comes from fish, poultry, meat, and dairy products 
• for more detail click on : Vitamin B12
• Vitamin C - comes from citrus fruits and juices, such as oranges and grapefruits; red, yellow and green peppers 
• for more detail click on : Vitamin C

Vitamin B-complex

Definition

The vitamin B complex is a group of several vitamins, including vitamin B-1, also known as thiamin; vitamin B-2, also known as riboflavin; vitamin B-3, also known as niacin; vitamin B-5, also known as pantothenic acid; vitamin B-6, also known as pyridoxal phosphate; vitamin B-7, also known as biotin; vitamin B-9, also known as folate; and vitamin B-12, also known as cobalamin. A deficiency in B complex vitamins can cause several symptoms.


Symptom

Signs and symptoms of vitamin deficiency anemia include:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Pale or yellowish skin
• Irregular heartbeats
• Weight loss
• Numbness or tingling in your hands and feet
• Muscle weakness
• Personality changes
• Unsteady movements
• Mental confusion or forgetfulness

Vitamin deficiencies usually develop slowly over several months to years. Vitamin deficiency symptoms may be subtle at first, but they increase as the deficiency worsens.