The body needs vitamins so it can function properly. Without vitamins, the body would slowly break down and die. You can get your vitamins by taking vitamin supplements, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the most desirable way to supply your body with the vitamins it needs is to follow a healthy diet and consume many different nutritious foods.
Vitamins Enhance Immunity
Vitamins keep the body strong and protect it from disease. Vitamins A and C, for example, help the body fight infections. Vitamin B6 contributes to a healthy immune system. Vitamin E, another vitamin involved in activating the immune system, is an antioxidant. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, antioxidants may offer protection against free radical damage that can lead to heart disease and cancer.
Vitamins Strengthen Bones
Vitamins such as vitamin D help bones grow and keeps bones strong by assisting in the absorption of calcium. Adequate vitamin D also helps to protect children and adults from developing bone disorders. Protection against the bone disease called osteoporosis, which is common in aging adults, is offered when vitamin D is taken with calcium. Vitamin K may help stop the loss of bone and the development of brittle bones in women who have gone through menopause.
Vitamins Contribute to Healthy Eyes
A deficiency of certain vitamins can affect the condition of the eyes. When the body lacks vitamin A, the eyes can become dry, and difficulty seeing at night can become a problem. Someone deficient in vitamin B2 may develop cataracts, while someone lacking vitamin D could become nearsighted. If broken blood vessels are a problem, vitamin K can be taken to heal them.
Vitamins Promote Mental Health
Certain vitamins can influence how you feel mentally. Vitamin B3, which is also known as niacin, is responsible for the condition of the nerves, and a deficiency of this vitamin has been linked to schizophrenia. When the body is lacking vitamin B6, feelings of depression can occur. Vitamin B12 can help alleviate a depressed state.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Vitamins and Minerals
- Linda Page's Healthy Healing, All New Eleventh Edition; Linda Page, 2001
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