Why Take Vitamins? What Are Vitamins?
Vitamins are nutrients essential for normal growth, vitality and general wellbeing. Without vitamins, many vital bodily functions would not take place and disease may occur.
What Do Vitamins Do?
Vitamins are essential for a number of reasons. In general they: Keep our skin, hair, eyes, bones, teeth, nerves and blood cells normal. Some also assist in processing carbohydrates, proteins and fats. They assist in converting fat and carbohydrates into energy and assist in forming bone and tissue.
Vitamins May Prevent Us from Deficiency Diseases such as:
* Skin disorders (eczema).
* Autoimmune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue).
* Allergies.
* Digestive disorders.
People taking vitamin supplements often notice a change in health, vitality and energy.
What are the Essential Vitamins?
The body needs 13 different vitamins in order to function effectively. These vitamins can be divided in to two groups: Fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and water soluble (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, pantothenic acid, folate, biotin and vitamin C).
Am I Getting Enough Vitamins?
Vitamins are found in a variety of food sources. A balanced diet of breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, red meat, fish, poultry, dairy, legumes, seeds and nuts will ensure that you get a satisfactory amount of the vitamins your body needs.
Unfortunately, today's busy lifestyle often forces people to eat fast food or convenient meals that unfortunately are not rich in the vitamins and nutrients that our body requires.
Another factor to consider is the quality of Australian fruit and vegetables. Australian soils are often over-farmed resulting in mineral depletion, especially of selenium and zinc. Quite often produce is being picked early and not allowed to ripen naturally on the trees, leaving fruit and vegetables even more nutrient deficient.
FACT: Many of us, even those who feel they eat well, may not eat a balanced diet. Almost 40% of the kilojoules we consume come from highly processed convenience or snack foods which are high in fat and sugar.
People who may not get enough vitamins:
* Elderly (Often due to low digestion activity)
* People who lead busy/ active lifestyles
* Stressful jobs/ lifestyles
* Poor diets/ Calorie restricted diets
* Allergy Sufferers
* Fatigue
* Short/ long term illnesses
* Smokers
* Alcoholics
* Vegetarians
* Environmental pollution
Why Do We Need to Take Vitamin Supplements?
Vitamin supplements can provide our body with levels of vitamins to assist in reducing the occurrence of illnesses or disease. Furthermore, many people don't eat a healthy well-balanced diet all the time.
Factors that contribute to nutrient depletion:
* Stress
* Strenuous exercise
* Alcohol
* Caffeine
* Dieting
* Processed foods
* Illicit drugs
* Prescription drugs
* Illness
* Pregnancy
Vitamins taken additional to a healthy diet assist by ensuring optimal levels of each of the essential nutrients.
Other non-essential nutrients can assist various bodily functions.
Visit HMB Health's Online Store and see the great selection of basic vitamins and supplementations sourced from reputable companies.
Always speak to a professional if symptoms persist and to check for any contradictations if you are taking any medication.