Your Vitamin Questions Answered
Posted on: February 1, 2016Categories: LiveWell 24/7
We’ve heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but what does the doctor say about daily multivitamins? Studies are conducted constantly to determine which vitamin supplements are beneficial for overall health based on an individual’s age and gender and what detrimental effects could result from consuming excessive amounts. According to the American Heart Association, the best way to fuel your body with the 13 vitamins your body needs to function efficiently is through a healthy, balanced diet. Incorporating these delicious foods into your diet can provide necessary vitamins without supplements.
13 Recommended Vitamins & Where to Find Them:
- Vitamin A (for your vision and immune and reproductive systems): sweet potatoes, eggs, fish, and carrots
- Vitamin C (for metabolism, tissue repair, and healing wounds): leafy greens, bell peppers, brussel sprouts, and citrus fruits
- Vitamin D (for bone growth, the immune system, and inflammation reduction): milk, yogurt, swordfish, and 15 minutes of sunshine every day
- Vitamin E (for your immune system and effective blood clotting): almonds, sunflower seeds, and wheat germ oil
- Vitamin K (for effective blood clotting to heal bruises and lacerations): kale, turnips, collard greens, and spinach
- Vitamin B1 (for converting carbohydrates into energy and boosting brain function): pine nuts, soy beans, and bran
- Vitamin B2 (for your immune system, body growth, and energy): beef liver, fortified cereals, and milk
- Vitamin B3 (for strengthening your nervous and digestive systems and energy): peanuts, chicken liver, peanut butter, and yeast
- Vitamin B6 (for your metabolism, blood sugar stabilization, and immune system): poultry, chickpeas, garbanzo beans, and fish
- Vitamin B12 (for your nervous system and red blood cell formation): tuna, clams, trout, and salmon
- Biotin (for hair, eye, skin, and nervous system health): eggs, almonds, salmon, and low-fat cheese
- Pantothenic Acid (for energy): avocado, eggs, mushrooms, and broccoli
- Folate (for preventing birth defects in pregnant women and tissue repair): spinach, lentils, beans, and chickpeas
While a healthy diet that incorporates many of the foods listed above is the most effective way to fuel your body with necessary vitamins, many individuals fail to consume enough of these foods on a daily basis. The National Institutes of Health recommends that adults maintain a healthy diet supplemented by a daily multivitamin to combat significant health conditions such as heart disease, osteoporosis, and cancer. When selecting a multivitamin, it is crucial to read the label thoroughly to ensure that the vitamins listed above are included. It is also important to select a multivitamin that is specific to your age and sex. For more information on multivitamin supplements, visit the National Institutes of Health.
Sources: WebMD, Medical Daily, Health, India’s Way, WebMD
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