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