We all know that we need vitamins, minerals and herbs from our foods. But, even if we eat well, and most of us don't, we still need some supplements to our food intake for various reasons or for specific requirements. Often we don't really understand the contribution that each of these nutrients bring to our body maintenance, function and wellness. Because of that, we neglect giving what our boy requires. Let's take a look at the role of vitamins in our body.
Vitamins are organic compound micro-nutrients required for the health and functioning of the entire body. They are necessary for the regulation of the metabolism and assisting the biochemical processes of the digestive and other body systems and the maintenance of good health and well-being.
There are several types of vitamins, many of them you already know or have heard of. However, there are more types then the common names given to them as laypeople may know. Some vitamins work with enzymes, some work better or are enhanced with minerals and herbs, some are water-soluble, some are oil soluble, some are natural, crystalline and synthetic.
The water-soluble vitamins include B-complex and C. These must be taken into the body daily as they cannot be stored and are passed from the body within hours of being taken. They are lost in cooking water and through body elimination channels.
The fat-soluble vitamins do not dissolve in liquid and can be stored for a longer time in the fat tissues of the body. These include the A, D, E and K vitamins. Both types are essential for the proper functioning of the body on a regular basis.
The vitamins we normally get from our foods are not usually enough to protect or defend us from common diseases. They are barely the minimum requirements to maintain life. That's why we have so many sick people who are not sick enough to be at the doctor's office or in the hospital, but who just do not feel well. That feeling has come to be accepted as normal in a lot of cases. What gets us beyond borderline health into maximum health is the additional supplements - whether through foods or tablets - we get over the minimum and feeble nutrients we get from our normal daily foods.
One important aspect of working with supplements - especially when taken in isolation -- is to know that they must be taken in proper balance. Researches by scientists in the field have shown that too much isolated vitamins, minerals or herbal remedies can produce the same symptoms as deficiencies in any of them. For example high doses of one isolated B vitamin can cause the depletion of another B. Zinc in proper dosage enhances the immune system, but if taken in higher dosage it can actually harm the system. So it is always recommended that you work with a health professional before undertaking supplemental programs.
I remember working for a health food store once as a retail clerk. The owners did not want their sales people to get into any discussions or recommendations with their customers, except for directing them to authorized books and articles - which is the proper thing to do if the sales people are not professionally trained. However, one day a woman came into the store one day, looking to purchase B-6 vitamins.
Knowing that you don't play around with B vitamins especially, I asked her why she wanted that particular vitamin. Pointing to some rash-looking disorder on her cheeks, she said that she read that B-6 vitamins would help her condition. Then I asked her if she was taking a B-complex vitamin supplement. She said no. So I told her that it is better to take the B's in complex form rather than in isolation - except in cases when prescribed by a doctor. Often, when one begins with the B-complex, the conditions will disappear and you won't need the isolated. So, always check with a health professional or your doctor for any specific health situations you think may warrant supplements.
Another example is bioflavonoids. Many people read somewhere that these phytonutriends are good for colds, or bleeding gums, bruising, and other diseases. However, to work efficiently, they have to be taken along with vitamin C. If one does not take vitamin C already, these folks are really wasting their money.
Similarly, some substances can block the absorption of supplements. For example vitamin C can be interfered and reduced greatly by antibiotic drugs or even smoking. If a smoker takes vitamin C, it may be destroyed in the lungs, but some of it may be carried through to other parts howbeit in reduced amount and efficiency.
We don't have the space to discuss all of the types of vitamins in this article, however this should help interested folks to look up the above mentioned descriptions.
The important thing to remember is that, the ideal source of vitamins begins in whole, fresh foods. But, since we cannot always obtain what we need from our regular intake of food, especially in various conditions or health status that may place strenuous demands on our body, we need to look to additional supplements outside of our foods.
Single vitamins as well as innumerable combination are available. There are also specific supplements of vitamins for the aged, the very young, the pregnant and lactating, the athletic, the stressed, and for body parts, face, hair, skin, specific organs, etc. Therefore it is advisable to consult your health practitioner before embarking on any major supplemental program. /dmh
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