Have you
ever wondered why the word 'essential' usually precedes the term, 'vitamins'?
The reason is simple. Vitamins as well as minerals ensure that our bodies
function as they were designed. Interestingly, as important as vitamins are,
the body lacks the ability to manufacture most on its own. Instead, it must
rely on outside sources to meet its nutritional needs.
Vitamins are organic compounds and as such they're found naturally in many of
the foods we consume. They're also available in the form of vitamin
supplements. Thirteen different vitamins are needed to perform such crucial
functions as helping protect against infections and disease, helping the body's
metabolism, helping the body grow and helping the body remove waste.
Vitamins
are a lot like building blocks. A healthy body is able to put these blocks
together to create the enzymes and hormones that, among other things, control
heart rate, blood pressure, glucose levels and other chemical reactions.
How Much is Enough?
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of the various vitamins is different
depending on a person's age and current state of health. Women who are pregnant
for example, need a different combination of vitamins to protect the fetus
against birth defects. Adult men have different requirements than adult women.
Children, teenagers and the elderly all have different nutritional requirements
as well.
Thinking about food as a source of fuel is helpful. Give your body the right
type of fuel and it will perform at optimum capacity. Fuel it with the wrong
things, and over time, performance will begin to decline.
Problems Associated with Vitamin Deficiencies
Although perhaps not noticeable at first, vitamin deficiencies can lead to
serious health issues further on down the road. Few people today eat what would
be considered a nutritionally-balanced diet. Many in fact, have developed some
pretty poor eating habits. High fat foods, processed foods, fast food and
restaurant food have taken the place of healthy foods.
Because people can't see what is going on inside the body, it's difficult to
get a good understanding of the negative effects a poor diet can have on the
body. Generally, it's not until the body begins putting on excess weight that
the effects start to become visually noticeable. But long before the excess
weight settles in, trouble is already brewing inside.
What types of problems are associated with vitamin deficiencies? Insufficient
Vitamin D can cause weak or even deformed bones. Not enough Vitamin E can lead
to the destruction of red blood cells. Not enough Vitamin C can cause
tiredness, weakness, sore muscles and can cause gums to bleed. An overall
vitamin deficiency can even lead to death.
Vitamin supplements are an effective way to fill in the nutritional gaps caused
by poor eating habits. But beyond that, the only accurate way of knowing if the
body is getting enough vitamins is with a blood test. If you don't think you're
getting enough vitamins, you probably aren't. Do yourself a favor and find out soon
