Your body requires specific nutrients in order to function correctly. Nutrients come from the foods you eat and vitamins are one class of nutrients. Other nutrients include minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, fats and water. Without these key nutrients your body is not able to function and you will certainly not be healthy. Taking vitamins alone is not enough to supply the energy that your body needs.
The Essential Vitamins
There are specific vitamins that your body must get in order for your cells to function properly. These vitamins are known as the essential vitamins and they are found in the foods that you eat. The essential vitamins include the B vitamins, which are thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folate. Other essential vitamins include vitamins A, C, D, E and K.
Functions
Vitamins are used for a variety of functions in the body. They support immune system function, cardiovascular function and nervous system function. They supply energy to your body and they are used to complete the thousands of chemical reactions that take place in your body each day. Without vitamins, many of your body's important functions could not be performed. But vitamins use the other nutrients that are found in your food and they cannot sustain life or health alone.
Sources
Simply put, nutrients, including vitamins that your body needs, come from the foods that you eat. The best sources of food include natural foods like fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains. These foods will provide the essential vitamins and minerals as well as healthy forms of fat, carbohydrates and protein. Food also provides calories, which are essential for your body's energy level and proper function. You should avoid foods that are processed and foods that contain excess sodium, saturated fat, sugar or trans fat because these tend to be vitamin deficient and they can contribute to chronic illness.
Considerations
You need vitamins to survive, but you cannot live on vitamins alone. Your body needs all the forms of healthy nutrients from a variety of sources. If you are deficient in vitamins, your body will develop symptoms associated with that deficiency, which can lead to disease. Therefore, in addition to eating a healthy and balanced diet, consider taking a daily multivitamin to ensure that your body has the essential nutrition that it needs each day.
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