Vitamin and mineral supplements are useful for making up for deficiencies in your diet so you are able to maintain your health. Foods provide most of the vitamins and minerals your body needs, but food aversions, allergies or lifestyle choices may prevent you from consuming the necessary amounts for good health. Adding a supplement to your daily diet is one way to ensure that your body is getting what it needs to be healthy. Speak with your doctor to determine what supplement is right for you.
Cardiovascular Health
The vitamins and minerals found in nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat and grains are essential for the health of your heart and circulatory system. If your diet does not include these foods, then your health may suffer. Shari Lieberman and Nancy Pauling Bruning, authors of "The Real Vitamin and Mineral Book: The Definitive Guide to Designing Your Personal Supplement Program," suggest that vitamin and mineral supplements can make up for what is lacking in your diet so your heart can still take advantage of the nutrients it needs to pump blood normally and beat strongly. Taking a multivitamin helps you meet your nutritional needs.
Proper Nutrient Absorption
Many vitamins and minerals work in combination with one another to keep your body strong and functioning normally. Calcium and vitamin D are examples, because each nutrient needs the other to perform properly. Many people are deficient in vitamin D, which may prevent proper absorption of calcium. Adding a supplement can help your body hold onto all of the calcium it needs. Beta-carotene is essential for your body to create enough vitamin A to keep your immune system strong. Supplementing what is missing from your diet will help prevent illness and disease by ensuring that your body holds on to the nutrients it needs.
Strong Immune System
The vitamins and minerals found in nutritious foods work to keep your white blood cells strong and able to fight off the germs and bacteria that can cause you to get sick. If your diet does not include enough nutritious foods, your immune system may suffer. Taking a vitamin and mineral supplement will help you consume the nutrients your white blood cells need to effectively fight off germs and bacteria. Lieberman and Bruning add that supplementing your diet may reduce the number of sick days you take because your body is getting everything it needs to remain in good health.
References
- "The Real Vitamin and Mineral Book: The Definitive Guide to Designing Your Personal Supplement Program"; Shari Lieberman and Nancy Pauling Bruning; 2007
- "Dr. Ro's Ten Secrets to Livin' Healthy"; Rovenia Brock; 2008
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