What Are The Benefits Of Taking Vitamins?

Vitamins are an important dietary supplement. Many modern processed foods do not contain the nutrients of whole foods. In today's busy lifestyles, many people do not eat the recommended variety of fresh foods thereby missing important nutrients in their diets. Supplementing a diet with vitamins ensures that the recommended daily dose of vitamins is consumed. Vitamin requirements are different for older adults and help supplement changing dietary needs. Some vitamins have shown positive health benefits and are an important supplementation for pregnant women.

Replaces Missing Vitamins

Taking vitamins regularly complements a regular diet. For people who have trouble getting enough micronutrients in a day, taking vitamins will provide the necessary vitamins and minerals that are not consumed, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Keep Bones Strong

Vitamin D and calcium supplementation is good for both men and women. Men as well as women suffer bone loss as they age. Taking calcium helps keep bones strong. The Mayo Clinic recommends taking Vitamin D with calcium as the vitamin D boosts calcium absorption in the body. Taking calcium and Vitamin D is important for people who are lactose intolerant and may not get enough of the vitamins in their diet.
The daily-recommended dose of calcium for adults 19 to 50 is 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium. For adults over 50, the recommended daily dose is 1,200 mg per day.
For adults up to the age of 50, the recommended daily dose of Vitamin D is 200 international units (IU). For adults over 50, the recommended daily dose is 400 to 600 IU.

Reduced Risk of Heart Disease

Taking vitamins C and E prevent low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from producing plaque in the heart's arteries. This plaque can narrow the arteries and reduce or block blood flow to the heart. Taking vitamins C and E prevent the plaque buildup and reduce the risk of heart disease, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Boost for Baby

Prenatal vitamins contain more folic acid, iron and calcium than regular vitamins. The Mayo Clinic recommends taking prenatal vitamins for pregnant women to give their babies a boost in the womb. Prenatal vitamins are loaded with folic acid that helps prevent neural tube defects. They also contain extra calcium for strong bones and teeth for both mother and baby along with iron to support the development of blood and muscle cells. "Prenatal vitamins may reduce the risk of low birth weight," according to the Mayo Clinic.

B Vitamins Necessary For Seniors

In a study by the Canadian Family Physicians on the "Health benefits of selected vitamins," concluded that adults over 50 need to take vitamin B6 and B12 supplements as their bodies cannot absorb proper amounts of these vitamins from their food. The exception is if their foods are fortified with these vitamin supplements.