The Power of Vitamins

It's not an exaggeration to say that vitamins keep us alive. In fact, vitamins have the power to keep you healthy, strong and free of debilitating diseases. In underdeveloped countries, where access to healthy foods is limited, vitamin deficiencies increase mortality rates, especially among children, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization's program "Feeding Minds, Fighting Hunger."

Mental Benefits

Vitamins have a number of roles in the mental and emotional well-being of humans too. The B vitamins can help fight anxiety, depression, chronic stress and mood swings. A serious deficiency of B-12 can lead to pernicious anemia, which without treatment can cause confusion, dementia and paranoia. Antioxidants, such as vitamin E, can help reduce the chances of developing dementia and protect from oxidative stress, which could affect memory and cognition.

Physical Benefits

All vitamins play an important role in basic functions of the body. Some, like the B vitamins, are directly connected to the nervous system and the synthesis of foods and substances. Vitamin B-1, for example, helps with energy production and nerve function. Vitamin B-2 helps build red blood cells. Other vitamins have more "visible" functions. Vitamin C keeps teeth and bones healthy, while vitamin K helps with blood clotting.

Avitaminosis

"Avitaminosis" is a term that describes any disease caused by a serious deficiency of a vitamin. Without proper treatment, these diseases can be fatal or at least greatly debilitating. For example, a B-12 avitaminosis can result in pernicious anemia, while C avitaminosis can cause scurvy, and B-1 avitaminosis can cause beriberi. Lack of vitamin B-3 or niacin can lead to pellagra, which is not necessarily fatal but can lead to dementia.

Vitamin Poisoning

Not all experts believe taking vitamin supplements is a good idea, as it's possible to overdose due to hypervitaminosis. In fact, some researchers point out that taking too many supplements can actually increase your risk of death, according to a 2007 study published in "The Journal of the American Medical Association." The review study showed that taking large amounts of antioxidants, such as vitamin A and E, can increase the risk of mortality by 16 and 4 percent, respectively. High amounts of other vitamins can cause side effects that range from nausea and vomiting to liver problems, muscle weakness and increased bleeding.