In this article I will talk about the benefits of vitamins and their functions in the body. I will also share some vitamin supplements. I’ll be taking a closer look at 4 of these vitamins, their function, and the problems of deficiency in any of them.
We may all remember taking vitamins as kids. But what are these vitamins and what do they do?
Vitamins are essential nutrients needed by the body in small amounts. This allows it to grow, develop, and function normally. In total, there are thirteen vitamins needed by the body
Vitamins come in two types that are transported and stored differently in the body.
These are: water-soluble and lipid soluble vitamins. Water soluble vitamins dissolve in water. They are able to move around freely in the body through the blood. These vitamins are found in the watery portions of fruits, vegetables, and grains. Water soluble vitamins are not stored in the body.
The body takes the vitamins needed from our food. The rest are disposed of through the kidneys. This means that water soluble vitamins need to be replenished as part of our daily diet.
Fat soluble vitamins need fat to dissolve.
These vitamins need special carrier proteins to be carried in the blood. Unlike water soluble vitamins, fat soluble vitamins are stored in fat cells when excess vitamin is present in the diet, to be used at a later time.
The Benefits Of Vitamins. Water Soluble Types
There are two water soluble vitamins: vitamins B and C.
Water Soluble Vitamin Number 1 – Vitamin B.
There are 8 types of vitamin B. Most of them come from our diet. Due to the various types of vitamin B, they can be found in a variety of sources. The benefits of vitamins B is they perform two main functions in the human body:
- To make energy from the ingested food and
- To make red blood cells.
It’s important to note that some vitamin B types only perform one of these functions. But there are other types that are involved in both functions.
Deficiency in vitamin B can lead to one or more diseases. This will depend on the number of types of vitamin B deficiency.
For example, deficiency in vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 can cause anaemia, which is insufficient red blood cells.
Deficiency in vitamin B1 and B3 can lead to mental confusion.
The Other Water-Soluble Vitamin – Vitamin C.
Vitamin C has various functions in the body. One of its most important functions is to protect the body from infections. It also contributes to the growth and repair of bodily tissues. Things like your bones, your teeth, and your skin!
You may be wondering where you can find vitamin C.
The best sources of vitamin C are fruits and vegetables. Peppers and broccoli have the highest vitamin C content among the many kinds of vegetables. It’s often believed oranges are the best source of vitamin C among fruits. But this is not actually the case.
Fruit that has the best source of vitamin C is actually guava. In second place it’s papaya, and kiwis are the third. Oranges are actually the fourth highest.
What happens when you don’t consume enough vitamin C?
Vitamin C deficiency can lead to a disease called scurvy. Scurvy was a disease that many pirates and sailors used to suffer from. This is because they were out at sea for long periods without access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin C is necessary to produce collagen.
Collagen is the main protein component of the tissues in your body. Collagen alone makes up 35% of the whole body’s protein content. Scurvy has many symptoms such as brown spots in the skin, bleeding from different mucous membranes, spongy gums, loss of teeth, and even death.
The Benefits of Vitamins. Fat Soluble Vitamins.
Now I will look at two fat soluble vitamins: vitamins A and D.
First, Vitamin A.
Vitamin A’s main role in the body is maintaining and protecting vision. Vitamin A is critical for vision because it’s a component of rhodopsin, a protein that detects and absorbs light in the eyes.
There are two main sources of vitamin A. The first, is in foods from animal sources, which includes fish, meat, liver, and eggs. The second, is in leafy green vegetables, orange and yellow vegetables, and fruit. The top three choices are squash, carrot, and spinach.
A deficiency in vitamin A is usually rare since most foods contain at least a small amount of it.
Vitamin A deficiency is usually much more prevalent in developing countries. This is because access to food is more restricted.
Deficiency is more common during periods of high nutritional demand such as during infancy and childhood. One of the most common symptoms of vitamin A deficiency is xerophthalmia, or the inability to see in low light or in darkness.
Second, Vitamin D.
Vitamin D is also known as the sunshine vitamin. This is because it’s produced in your skin in response to sunlight. You can also get vitamin D from supplements. A very small amount comes from some foods like salmon.
The benefits of vitamins Vitamin D are they work to promote bone growth and bone strength. This is important since vitamin D regulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. These are two essential components for developing the structure and strength of your bones. Even if you eat lots of foods that contain calcium and phosphorus, without enough vitamin D you can’t absorb them into your body.
Vitamin D is also an important factor in making sure your muscles, heart, lungs, and brain work well and that your body is able to fight infection.
Too little vitamin D results in the softening of the bone. This condition is known as rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults.
To Sum Up The Benefits of Vitamins to the body:
Vitamins are essential nutrients needed by the body to grow, develop, and function normally. The two types of vitamins are fat soluble and water soluble vitamins
I spoke about two water soluble vitamins. Vitamin B involved in the production of energy and red blood cells, and vitamin C, important for tissue growth and repair.
I also discussed two fat soluble vitamins: vitamin A which plays a role in vision and vitamin D, essential for bone growth and strength.
If you’re looking for supplements to help ensure you get enough of these essential vitamins, take a look at the range available at TS Life.
I hope you found this article on the benefits of vitamins to the body and why we need them. It took me quite some time to research and compile this for your information.
