Why Do We Need Vitamins?

Derived from the Latin word vita which means life, vitamins are complex organic compounds found mostly on fruits, vegetables, and some meat. They are essential for maintain good condition of what composes the human body—organs, tissues, bones, and muscles. Sufficiency in vitamins can have a great impact on how the body functions. Each vitamin plays a role in the body.

Each day, the body produces 200 billion red blood cells. In every 120 days, the blood supply in the body is entirely replaced. Within 3 months, the skin regenerates, while the bone structure is destroyed and rebuilt within 90 days. In order to accomplish these crucial tasks, the body needs the vitamins and minerals.

There are two types of vitamins—fat soluble and water soluble. The fat soluble vitamins are those that are stored in the liver and fat tissues and which can remain active and efficient for up to 6 months. When the body needs them, they are delivered to the needed area through the assistance of special carriers. Among the fat soluble vitamins are A, D, E, and K.

On the other hand, the water soluble vitamins are not stored in the body. Rather, they travel through the bloodstream, where they are expended, and thus, need replenishment every day. To this group belongs the vitamins C and B complex group.

A few examples of how significant vitamins are to the human body are best explained below:

Vitamin A. Many associate vitamin A to the eyes. True, the vision can be improved with sufficient supply of vitamin A. Nevertheless, besides the eyesight, the skin and hair can benefit from vitamin A as well. Even the bone growth requires this vitamin. Overall, the immune system is strengthened with vitamin A as it is considered as antioxidant.

Vitamin B. The vitamin B group is complex. This includes B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, niacin, biotin, folic acid and pantothenic acid. Among their benefits are repairing cells, digestion of foods and production of energy. The production of red blood cells can be regulated by B complex as well.

Vitamin C. Strong immune system, this is the principal function of vitamin C. Nonetheless, other components in the body benefit as well, including regulating cholesterol levels and blood pressure, iron absorption, healing of wounds, and in fighting against infections and other diseases. Among the antioxidants, the vitamin C is considered the strongest.

Vitamin D. Having healthy bones is what vitamin D is about. Included also are the strong and healthy teeth. Health researchers encouraged the intake of this vitamin to prevent osteoporosis especially when individuals mature in age.

Vitamin E. Among the vitamins, E is the most essential because it is required for body growth, maintenance of tissues and cells, and for improvement of eyes, liver, and skin. It protects the lungs from external damage by air pollutants, and the DNA, fats, cell membranes and enzymes from damage as well. The red blood corpuscles production is regulated as well. Diseases such as prostate cancer and heart-related may be prevented with vitamin E. It prevents blood clotting.

Vitamin K. Elderly may particularly benefit from vitamin K for prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. It helps avoid blood clotting in case there is bleeding. Kidney health and calcification of bone are also among its benefits.

Vitamins can be obtained directly from dietary foods. They can also be supplied by supplements. Depending on the need, there are supplements for specific vitamin and supplements for multiple vitamins.

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