| Vitamins are diverse in nature and are | | | | requirements. |
| organic substances contained in the food | | | | This article is only intended to give an |
| and drink we consume. They are essential | | | | overview of vitamins and their |
| for the preservation of life and | | | | importance. We should all be aware of |
| promotion of growth. A shortage of an | | | | the essential vitamins and the amount of |
| important vitamin in our diet can lead | | | | each we should consume in our normal |
| to poor health and disease. Vitamins | | | | diet or as supplements where our normal |
| perform a different function to that of | | | | diet is deficient. Too much of any |
| carbohydrates, fats and proteins but | | | | particular vitamin is not usually a |
| collectively they are all important | | | | problem since the body will |
| ingredients of our diet. | | | | automatically reject the excess in our |
| Many diseases are prevented by our body | | | | urine, particularly those vitamins which |
| absorbing vitamins in the correct | | | | are water soluble. Some vitamins are fat |
| quantities. They help keep our essential | | | | soluble and the body does not |
| organs such as heart, lungs and liver | | | | necessarily deal with excess amounts in |
| healthy. Vitamins help maintain strong | | | | the same way, so we need to monitor |
| and healthy bones, teeth, muscle and all | | | | those more carefully. However, it is the |
| the parts that make up the physical | | | | deficiency of vitamins which is of main |
| structure of our bodies, including skin, | | | | concern because our body cannot absorb |
| blood vessels and arteries. Even the | | | | what isnot there. |
| function of our brain is reliant on the | | | | We should make ourselves aware of the |
| right levels of vitamins being | | | | important vitamins, the minimum and in |
| maintained in our body. Vitamins also | | | | some cases the maximum daily intake and |
| help with the prevention of cancer. | | | | the signs to look for in our health |
| If we eat a healthy balanced diet then | | | | which would indicate a vitamin |
| the body will absorb most if not all of | | | | deficiency. If we are under medication |
| the essential vitamins it needs. | | | | from a doctor then that can affect the |
| Unfortunately, with modern lifestyles | | | | balance of vitamins required in which |
| and eating habits, we do not always get | | | | case we should seek the advice of our |
| the right vitamins in the correct | | | | doctor. Otherwise it is up to us to |
| quantities. It then becomes necessary to | | | | educate ourselves and monitor our own |
| look at vitamin supplements to make up | | | | health. |
| the shortfall in our bodies | | | | |