Vitamins, which are found in food, are essential to the proper growth, development, and functioning of our bodies. Vitamins are named using letters A through K, and they can be divided into fat-soluble and water-soluble types. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are stored in fatty tissues until the body needs them, which can be as long as six months. Water-soluble types of vitamins are carried by blood and used immediately by the body. If they body does not need them, they are eliminated through urine. Water-soluble vitamins, which include C and the B vitamins, must be replaced on a daily basis. Your body cannot produce vitamins. They must be consumed in food or taken in a health food vitamin.
Vitamin A is found in eggs, milk, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, and some fruits, such as apricots and nectarines. It promotes healthy skin and vision, particularly helping in distinguishing colors. The group of B vitamins helps in manufacturing energy in your body. They aid in making red blood cells which carry oxygen to all parts of the body. The B vitamin group includes B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, and folic acid. B vitamins can be found in whole grains, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, yogurt, leafy green vegetables such as lettuce and kale, beans and peas, and citrus fruits. Vitamin C helps your body resist infection and aids in development and maintenance of strong muscles and gums. Vitamin C can help you fight off cold or flu germs. Citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, and cabbage contain Vitamin C. Vitamin D is essential for strong bones and teeth. It helps your body absorb calcium which you can get from dairy products, fish, and egg yolks. Vitamin E protects tissues, such as lungs, eyes, skin, and liver. It can be found in whole grains, wheat germ, leafy green vegetables, sardines, nuts, and egg yolks. Vitamin K enables your blood to clot, when it is necessary. Vitamin K is found in leafy green vegetables, liver, pork, and dairy products.
As you can see, it might be difficult to insure that you consume enough of the right foods to have enough of all these vitamins. Therefore, some people take a health food vitamin every day. One of the most popular health food vitamins is Solaray Spectro Multi-Vita-Min. It is a full spectrum multi-vitamin supplement made with plant cellulose, rather than animal ingredients. It advertises antioxidant protection from free radicals through ingredients such as beta carotene, Vitamins E and C, and selenium. It also provides all necessary vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, herbs, digestive enzymes and food concentrates. Other health food vitamins can be found at any health food store.
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