One can almost see in various television advertisements for food supplements and various drugs about the different vitamins one can benefit from these products. Sometimes these commercials give the wrong connotation to people that one can only get the adequate intake of vitamins and minerals their body needs by consuming these products. Vitamins and the different nutrients our body needs can simply be found in the variety of food items we take in everyday provided that you are not picky with the kind of food you only consume. Vegans or people who only eat fruits and vegetables may take in food supplements, which offer Vitamin B12, which is not generally present in fruits and vegetables. One can’t also expect that certain kind of food can contain all the necessary vitamins one needs. One can usually expect that people would advise that a food prepared in every meal varies in preparation. One would suggest that it would be best for one to eat food rich in protein, which is mainly found in fish, meat and other dairy products and fruits and vegetables contain the needed multivitamins and nutrients one can get, which is not found in meat products.

Each vitamin one takes in performs specific functions in our body’s system. One can benefit a lot from taking in enough vitamin A in their diet since it helps one maintain healthy eyesight and promote maintenance of teeth, skin and some tissues in the body. B vitamins help in the reproduction and generation and formation of red bloods cells inside the body and in maintaining health nerve cells. Other vitamins such as vitamin C help in the absorption of other vitamins and nutrients in the body and help strengthen the body’s immune system. Some vitamins such as riboflavin and folate work with other vitamins in performing specific functions such as the formation of red blood cells. Vitamin E also helps in the formation of red blood cells, and it also helps the body in using another vitamin, the Vitamin K. Though vitamin K is not really considered as an essential vitamin, but it still helps in the coagulation of the blood inside our bodies. One can get enough vitamin D from being exposed in the sun for a few minutes and three times a week. Vitamin D helps one’s body in absorbing the calcium, and it also promotes healthy bones and teeth.

Though these vitamins can do well for one’s body, too much intake of some of these vitamins can cause some hazard on one’s health. If one would like to consider taking in food supplements just to make sure that enough vitamins and other nutrients are being absorbed by the body, it is still best to consult a doctor first. One can always achieve a healthy body as long as what is taken in is just enough for the body’s needs.

• A lot of people believe that vitamins are wonder drugs. This is untrue because vitamins are not medicines used to cure illnesses like colds or taken to compensate lifestyle concerns such as combating stress and depression.
• Your body only needs minute amounts of vitamins. Thus, it is totally wrong to think that the more you take, the more the better because taking them in large doses may actually harm your body. High doses of Vitamin A, for instance, do not cure cancer and when taken without an underlying clinical deficiency over a long period of time, can be toxic to the body. Additionally, Vitamin B6 which, when taken in large doses may actually cause damage to the nerves. Always bear in mind to only take high-dose supplements if recommended under medical advice.
• Vitamin supplements cannot substitute a healthy diet but can help improve an insufficient diet.
• Although some studies show that taking more than 1000mg per day of Vitamin C relieves a common cold about half a day shorter, there is still no strong evidence to prove that vitamin C indeed helps prevent you from catching a cold despite exhaustive research worldwide.
• Our body only needs 45mgs of Vitamin C a day so excess amounts will be excreted. Too much intake of Vitamin C may cause abdominal cramps, nausea, kidney stones, fatigue, headache and diarrhea.
• Several reviews conclude that Vitamin E is not a beneficial antioxidant to help prevent death from heart disease. Moreover, based on research findings, Vitamin E has no correlation with anti-aging creams and maintaining a youthful look.
• Smokers use up twice as much Vitamin C in comparison to non-smokers for their metabolic processes.
• Bright yellow urine indicates that your body is metabolizing the B vitamins. Hence, there is nothing to be bothered about, as this is a good sign.
• Medical sciences have proven that Vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6, vitamin B complex and vitamin C all play a role in losing weight and keeping you in good shape without any side effects. B-vitamins burn maximum calories after speeding up metabolism resulting to fewer calories to be deposited as fat. It doesn’t mean purposely handpicking these special vitamins but carefully opting for foods with adequate amounts of these vitamins can expedite metabolic activities thereby enhancing weight loss.
• Multivitamins if taken in reasonable doses are beneficial for the brain.
• Vitamin B6 plays a vital role in the production of serotonin that is why it is often recommended for those suffering from sleep disorders such as insomnia as well as in the treatment of night leg cramps.
• People of extremes of age will require more vitamins than the younger ones primarily because bodies of elderly people get less capable in utilizing nutritional substances. We all know that older people are more prone to simple fall, so they will definitely need plenty of Vitamin D for stronger bones. Vitamin K is another vitamin that is also important for them although usually neglected. This vitamin helps in the blood clotting and keeps the circulation of the blood in good condition. Vitamin K is also known to aid in the prevention of the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Those who worry about making their hair thicker, vitamins do the trick too. Vitamin A produces healthy sebum in the scalp while Vitamin E improves the circulation of the scalp. To prevent graying of the hair, Vitamin B6 and B12 are what you need.

Let us all remember that Vitamins are only supplements, and they do not function on their own. Conveniently adding an extra dietary boost of some of these vitamins to our regular diet will perhaps bridge the gaps between what we nutritionally need.