Why Take Vitamin Supplements?

While it’s ideal to get our vitamins and minerals from eating a healthy, clean diet, there is a benefit from taking supplements.  Since an insufficient intake of nutrients is common for so many of us, The Journal of American Medical Association recommends that all American adults take vitamin supplements. The nutrients in our food are affected by growing conditions, food preparation and storage methods, so eating a healthy diet doesn’t guarantee that we are getting all the vitamins and minerals that we need.

Vitamins regulate the process that makes energy available.  Absence of a vitamin blocks one or more specific metabolic reactions in a cell and in time may disrupt the metabolic balance within a cell and in our bodies. All of the water-soluble vitamins (except for Vitamin C) support enzymes that function in energy transfer or in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Simply said, it’s difficult for the body to break down these nutrients into energy without vitamins.

Illness results when we take an inadequate amount of a specific vitamin. The severity of the disease depends upon the degree of vitamin deprivation. Symptoms of the deficiency disease may be specific such as functional night blindness when we take too little of Vitamin A, or vague such as loss of appetite or difficulty concentrating.  A vitamin deficiency may occur when the dietary intake is lower than the normal requirement of the vitamin.  Also, even when the dietary intake is adequate, if there is a pre-existing disease or the body is in a state of stress, a vitamin deficiency may still occur.

Taking vitamin supplements is like having an added health insurance policy that is economical and easy to swallow. Personally, I like the convenience of ordering online, and I’ve found that Vitacost has high quality vitamins and supplements at great prices, (fast shipping and great customer service too).

While taking vitamin supplements can’t make up for a poor diet, taking them can enhance a basically healthy diet.  Dietary supplements may interact with certain medications in unexpected ways, so if you are on medication, consult your pharmacist or doctor first.

 

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