Vitamins are essential to a healthy, fully functional body. Over-the-counter bottles proclaim the many health benefits of vitamins, but they are in the market to sell things. The human body can only absorb so much of a given vitamin at a time because of how the vitamins work in the body, and over absorption can lead to health problems. The best answer is to learn about vitamins before buying supplements, and here are some facts to get you started.
Fact 1: Vitamin A was the first vital mineral to be discovered, which is why it is Vitamin A, or the first letter of the alphabet. Some vitamins have numbers, such as B6 and B12. These numbers have to do with the chemical compound that makes up the vitamin. All B vitamins will have the same basic structure, but the different number represents different additions to the basic structure.
Fact 2: Vitamin B is found in a wide variety of foods, though B12 is only found in animal products. B6 and B12 are decrease nausea and morning sickness during pregnancy, while B5 prevents skin wrinkles and grey hair.
Fact 3: Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are stored in body fat reserves so it takes a long time to develop a deficiency of these vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins (C, B) get washed out of the system with the water, so need to be constantly replaced.
Fact 4: B Vitamins often need each other to work properly in the human body. Many vitamin supplements are labeled Vitamin B Complex, so that all the B’s may be taken at the same time in order to work together.
Fact 5: The human body can make vitamins D and K. Sunlight exposure and magnesium kick start the production of vitamin D, though it can be obtained directly from dairy products. Vitamin K is produced by bacteria living in the small intestine, but the exact amount depends on many factors. As such, it is recommended that people get their vitamin K green, leafy vegetables like spinach and kale. Â
Fact 6: Vitamin K is also known as the clotting vitamin, as it helps blood stick together. People with heart conditions or on blood thinners need to be mindful of this, and avoid large amounts of vitamin K as it can keep the blood thinners from working. Â
Fact 7: Vitamin E helps to protect the skin and hair. Besides absorbing vitamin E from food, it is also useful to apply the oil directly to the skin to prevent healed wounds from scaring. Â
Fact 8: Hypervitaminosis A is what happens when the body gets too much vitamin A and it becomes toxic. This often comes from eating excessive amounts of animal products that have vitamin A in them. Vitamin A from plant sources is called beta carotene and must be converted to a usable form, retinoids, before it can be used.
Fact 9: A person with excessive amounts of beta carotene can turn orange. While this is not harmful, it is a warning sign to back off of the orange colored foods that are high in beta carotene: carrots, cantaloupe, apricots and sweet potatoes.
Fact 10: Kiwis and strawberries contain about twice the amount of vitamin C as oranges. Dogs and cats can make their own vitamin C, but humans cannot.
