There are many benefits to taking vitamins, including better health and maybe even a longer life. In addition to being good for your body, vitamins are also good for your mind. Taking vitamins on a regular basis can help you feel more alert and focused, as well as improve your mental health.
But why take vitamins in supplement form?
This is a great question. You see all kinds of diets and healthy lifestyles being promoted. You’ve heard that you should cut out processed foods, eat more vegetables and exercise more. So should you focus on those or just take vitamins in supplement form?
The answer is both. Supplements generally pick up where your diet leaves off. Of course vitamins are naturally present in some foods, but many people do not get enough vitamins through their diet alone.
Why is that? The answer is soil depletion. Over the last few decades, artificial fertilizers, food processing and other factors in our food production have cause soils to be depleted of minerals and micronutrients.
For example, most artificial fertilizers contain mainly nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and a few other minerals. It’s rare that farm fields also get a healthy dose of zinc, iron, copper, and other important elements. As a result, the average mineral content in various vegetables has plummeted dramatically in the 20th century. As a result, you may not get all the nutrients you need from your regular diet.
This gets even more aggravated by the fact that there has also been an increase of pollutants and toxins in our environment. The more the body is exposed to higher levels of contaminants, the more your body needs proper nutrition to function properly, so the higher the nutritional deficit.
You might have heard the advice to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. And you should. But to cover all of your body’s nutritional needs, it’s a great idea to also take supplements. That way you ensure you are getting all of the vitamins and minerals you need for good health.
How Do Vitamins Work?
Vitamins are organic compounds that, along with minerals, play a role in the health of your body. They help your body use energy from the foods you eat, and they also help to keep your organs working properly.
Here are some examples of important vitamins and their benefits. These are some examples of vitamins you should make sure your body has enough of:
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and a great antioxidant, helping to fight against skin aging, as well as providing immune support. Vitamin C also supports collagen production – a protein that is found in your bones, muscles and blood. It not only keeps skin looking plump and firm, it's the main protein in your body's connective tissue. It makes up about one third of your body's total protein content.
Vitamin C can be found in several fruits and vegetables, including citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit and lemons, tomatoes, kiwis, and peppers. A few other foods are considered good sources of vitamin C, like strawberries and cantaloupe. If you want to boost your intake of vitamin C with supplements, choose from a variety of different forms available online or at any local health food store.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D was discovered to have a plethora of health benefits. Found primarily in cod liver oil, fish fat, and eggs, the vitamin is essential for bone and muscle growth and maintenance. It also aids in calcium absorption by the body for stronger bones and can be in important factor in supporting your immune system. Don't forget that adequate sun exposure can also help your body produce Vitamin D naturally!
Zinc
We're all familiar with this mineral as something we find in foods such as beef, spinach, and yogurt, but did you also know it takes a vital role in many of our body's systems?
Zinc is found in almost every cell in your body, which shows you how important this mineral is. Zinc is especially important for cell production and repair, and is also important for your body's metabolism. Last but not least, it can also help your body's natural immune defenses.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, is a member of the B family of vitamins, which are essential for human nutritional health. Niacinamide especially helps with basic metabolic functions, enzyme production, and healthy cell division. It also aids your body's natural ability to regulate blood sugar.
Niacinamide can be found in a variety of foods including meat, fish, eggs, milk, and green vegetables. However, research shows that you may need more than the recommended daily allowance if you are over 65 years old or smoke cigarettes.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral that helps the body in many ways. And when we say many, we mean many: It's a vital substance about 300 enzymes to function properly. It's also associated with nervous system health, neurological and brain health, and a healthy cardiovascular system. However, most people don't get enough of this important mineral in their diets, mostly due to low magnesium levels in our soil. Certain dietary factors can also poorly affect your body's magnesium levels.
Iodine
Iodine is one of the most important elements for the functioning of your body. It's one of the most known trace elements, but iodine levels have particularly been subject to soil depletion.
Iodine is needed for thyroid hormones, which help regulate many bodily functions including metabolism and growth. Further, it is an important antioxidant and helps with cell development.
Adequate iodine plays an important role in cognitive development and neurological function. It can further aid with immune health.
A balanced diet is essential to a healthy lifestyle, but many people struggle to get the nutrients they need from food alone. For these individuals, vitamin supplements may be appropriate. And of course, ideally you combine supplements not only with a healthy diet but also with proper exercise.
Vitamins are essential for good health and can promote healing and strengthen your immune system. In addition to eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, taking a daily multivitamin can help fill any gaps in your nutrition that might otherwise go unnoticed.