The human body makes many nutrients and chemicals it needs to function. However, your body is unable to make certain vitamins. Vitamins are necessary for a variety of essential functions. Usually, you are able to get enough vitamins from your diet, but some people will need to take vitamin supplements. Vitamins D, C and K are among the many essential vitamins that your body needs to thrive.
Vitamin C
Your body uses vitamin C in numerous ways. Vitamin C is necessary for the proper growth and repair of many of the tissues in your body. Collagen, which is a protein in skin, tendons and ligaments, can only be synthesized in the presence of vitamin C. Without vitamin C, your body would be unable to heal quickly and would not be able to repair and maintain healthy cartilage, teeth and bones. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant that helps protect against cell damage and reduces the risk of cancer.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is one of the few vitamins your body can produce in limited amounts. When you skin is exposed to sunlight, it is able to synthesize vitamin D. The primary function of vitamin D concerns the maintenance of normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Vitamin D also facilitates the absorption of calcium from the intestines. Calcium is used to form healthy, strong bones. If you're suffering from osteoporosis, high blood pressure or cancer, you may benefit from high doses of vitamin D.
Vitamin K
To prevent excessive bleeding, your body needs blood to clot. There are 13 proteins that are required for proper blood clotting and four of these proteins are made using vitamin K. Without vitamin K, you could suffer from severe bleeding that can lead to anemia and other more serious complications. Vitamin K has also been associated with strong bones. Patients with normal to slightly elevated levels of vitamin K are less likely to suffer hip fractures and have higher bone densities.
Sources
Vitamins C, D and K are available as nutritional supplements. However, most doctors recommend getting these vitamins from the food you eat. You can get vitamin C from foods like peppers, oranges, lemons and many different types of berries. Vitamin D is found in fish, eggs, cod liver oil and milk. Furthermore, some foods are fortified with vitamin D, making it easier for you to get your daily requirement. Green leafy vegetables, such as kale, broccoli and parsley are sources of vitamin K. Vitamin K is also common in cooking oils.
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