Why Do We Need Vitamins in Our Diet?

Vitamins are critical for optimum health. They help our body develop and maintain many of its functions. Blood, protein and cell metabolism depends upon certain vitamins. The body does not store most vitamins, so a diet rich in with a variety of healthy foods is the best way to keep vitamins in the body. Vitamin needs change with different stages in life. The elderly, those with chronic illnesses and the pregnant all might need to evaluate and adjust vitamin intake, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Vitamins are essentail for optimum helth.

The Facts

The human body needs 13 vitamins to maintain health and they are A, C, D, E, K and B vitamins (biotin, folate, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12). The body produces vitamins D and K. Most people will receive the vitamins they need if they eat a healthy diet from a variety of foods, according to the NIH. Vegetarians and vegans might need to supplement their diet with vitamin B12.

Functions

Every vitamin has a specific function, according to the NIH. A deficiency in a particular vitamin could lead to a disease. A lack of vitamin D, for example, could lead to rickets. Vitamin A thwarts night blindness. Vitamins A, E, and C are antioxidants, which protect cells from free radicals. Vitamin C is also significant in controlling infections. B vitamins are critical for cellular growth and energy metabolism. Vitamin K aids in blood's ability to clot, reports Harvard School of Public Health.

Types

Fruits and vegetables provide many vitamins.

Fruits and vegetables are good sources of many vitamins. Meats contain many of the B complex vitamins. While many vitamins can be found in foods, daily multivitamins are very popular, according to the NIH. Individual vitamin supplements are popular but a healthy diet with a multivitamin negates the need for most people to take individual supplements, with the exception of vitamin D, states Harvard School of Public Health.

Considerations

People will need different vitamins in different stages of life. Most children receive the necessary amount of vitamins through diet, report the American Medical Association, but children that are underweight, have illnesses that might put them at risk or eat restricted diets, may need supplements. Through healthy eating, the elderly may not need extra vitamins but those that are homebound, frail or with chronic diseases might need a multivitamin. Physicians might recommend vitamins B12 and D to the elderly because the body metabolizes these vitamins differently with age.

Warnings

Vitamins are good but too much of many vitamins can be harmful. Mega doses of certain vitamins are touted to cure certain ailments but mega doses should be approved by a physician. It's best to "stick close to standard recommended doses in a multivitamin," states Harvard School of Public Health.

References

• Harvard School of Public Health; Vitamins
• National Institutes of Health: Vitamins