Benefits of Vitamins

Vitamins play a vital role within the human body and are required for virtually every bodily function that occurs. While several vitamins are essential for life itself, others are required to maintain good health, ward off disease, and promote various functions to occur within the body.

There are 13 primary vitamins and each vitamin is categorized as either water soluble or fat soluble. Water soluble vitamins (B vitamins and C) are stored in the body for a brief period of time and eliminated through the kidneys (in the form of urine). For this reason, water soluble vitamins must be consumed from either food or a vitamin supplement on a daily basis. On the other hand, fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are absorbed in the intestines (as is fat), moved into circulation via the lymphatic system, and stored within the liver.

Below is a list of the 13 vitamins and a brief description of the bodily functions that they either perform or are involved in. For a more detailed discussion on each of the vitamin types, the bodily functions that they either perform or assist with, the common food sources that contain high levels of each vitamin type, and the symptoms associated with a deficiency in each of the vitamin types please visit our Vitamin Glossary.

Vitamin A (Retinol)

• Aids in the maintenance of your bone structure
• Aids in healthy cell reproduction
• Stimulates the immune system
• Assists in maintaining healthy teeth
• Assists in bone development and growth
• Aids in the formation of several hormones
• Assists in maintaining clear vision and prevents dryness in your eyes
• Combines with Carotene to act as a powerful antioxidant
• Promotes healthy hair, skin, and mucous membranes

Vitamin b1 (Thiamine)

• Aides in the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
• Strengthens your central nervous system
• Strengthens your cardiovascular system
• Relieves numbness suffered after nerve damage
• Promotes stability in appetite
• Promotes growth
• Generates and provides the body with energy

Vitamin b2 (Riboflavin)

• Required for carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism
• Assists in the formation of red blood cells and antibodies
• Aids in the growth of hair, nails (finger and toe) and skin
• Promotes good vision>/li>
• Maintains cellular respiration
• Promotes good health

Vitamin b3 (Niacin)

• Promotes the metabolism of sugars, fats, and proteins
• Widens arteries to increase blood flow
• Lowers high blood pressure
• Improves circulation throughout the body
• Lowers cholesterol levels
• Increases energy levels
• Maintains and promotes a healthy digestive system
• Prevents plaque from accumulating on your artery walls
• Promotes healthy skin
• Has been shown to greatly reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke

Vitamin b5 (Pantothenic acid)

• Assists in breaking down carbohydrates, proteins and fats
• Plays a role in releasing energy from carbohydrates
• Assists in the building of cells
• Promotes increases in stamina and reduces fatigue
• Reduces the effects of stress, anxiety and depression
• Aids in the development of the central nervous system
• Assists in combating infections
• Beneficial in preventing and treating arthritis

Vitamin b6 (Pryidoxine)

• Assists in breaking down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
• Assists in the creation of antibodies within the immune system
• Aids in maintaining normal nerve function
• Aids in the production of serotonin (mood, sleep, and appetite regulation)
• Prevents the formation of kidney stones
• Reduces bad cholesterol levels and helps to prevent heart attacks

Vitamin b7 (Biotin)

• Assists with the breaking down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
• Necessary for the body to be able to produce and maintain fatty acids
• Aids the body in the production of bone marrow
• Has been shown to be helpful in the stabilization of blood sugar levels

Vitamin b9 (Folate/Folic acid)

• Breaks down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
• Facilitates the metabolism of amino acids
• Required for the formation and creation of DNA and RNA
• Assists in promoting normal brain function
• Aids in the repair of damaged tissue
• Is a critical component in spinal fluid
• Aids in the formation of red blood cells
• Reduces the probability of neural tube defects (NTD) during pregnancy
• Plays a major role in proper cell growth and development within the embryo
• Helps red blood cells to carry iron efficiently and in larger quantities

Vitamin b12 (Cobalamins)

• Aids in maintaining metabolism and assists in breaking down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
• Keeps you alert and reduces the effects of fatigue.
• Assists in the formation of red blood cells
• Promotes a healthy central nervous system
• In conjunction with Vitamin b9, aids in production of DNA
• Has been shown to greatly reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Has been shown to fight the symptoms and effects of depression.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)

• Acts as a powerful antioxidant to fight free radicals and prevent long term cell damage
• Aids in the production of collagen to prevent the effects of wrinkles)
• Assists in healing wounds, fractures, and scar tissue
• Required for healthy bones, gums, and teeth
• Assists in the process of repairing damaged tissue
• Strengthens the immune system
• Prevents diseases such as scurvy
• Strengthens blood vessels
• Assists in the absorption of iron

Vitamin D (Calciferol)

• Aides the body in the absorption of calcium and magnesium to promote healthy bones and teeth
• Has been shown to aid in the prevention of osteoporosis and joint injuries
• Assists in alleviating back pain
• Retards cellular aging due to free radicals
• Reduces fatigue by supplying oxygen throughout the body
• Assists in dissolving blood clots
• Aids in the prevention of sterility
• Transports nutrients to the cells
• Aids the body in absorbing phosphorus

Vitamin E (Tocopherol)

• Acts as a powerful antioxidant to fight free radicals and prevent long term cell damage
• Reduces bad cholesterol levels and helps to prevent heart attacks
• Aides in the formation of red blood cells
• Plays an important role in the maintenance of vision and the prevention of cataracts
• Minimizes the appearance of wrinkles and aides in the healing of minor wounds
• Aids in the proper production of muscle tissue

Vitamin K (Phylloquinone/phytol naphthoquinone)

• The primary agent in the ability for your blood to clot
• Has been shown to greatly reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke
• Regulates blood calcium levels
• Prevents the formation of kidney stones
• Acts as an activating agent for various proteins that are responsible for healthy bones
• Aids the body in absorbing calcium and promoting a strong skeletal structure

Supplementing Your Dietary Intake with Vitamins

As is evident from the previous list, vitamins play a crucial role in promoting not only countless health benefits, but also allow the body to perform virtually all of it's required bodily functions as well. There are 7 primary key components related to overall good health, fitness, and mental well-being and proper nutritional intake is one of them. Below is a list of the 7 key primary components related to living a life that is filled with good health, fitness, mental stability, and a reduced probability of contracting a debilitating disease:

1. Cardiovascular/Aerobic Conditioning

2. Strength Training and Muscular Development

3. Stretching - Muscle, Ligament, and Tendons

4. Core Stability

5. Nutrition and Supplementation

6. Mental Rest and Relaxation

7. Sleep

Proper nutrition plays one of the most important roles, in relation to good health, in that it provides the body with the appropriate nutrients to perform it's bodily functions. Without the proper intake of vitamins, the body's ability to perform these functions are compromised. The statement "You are what you eat" is so true in that just as a plant, shrub, or tree requires the proper soil, water, and sun light to thrive, so to does the human body. However, in the case of the human body, vitamins, minerals, proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats are required on a daily basis to promote good health and wellness.

With many individuals living a lifestyle that is hectic, stressful, and filled with the consumption of foods that are devoid of nutritional value, it's no wonder that the rates of several of the diseases have increased. In addition, the percentages of individuals that are overweight and obese have drastically increased over the last 20 years.

Coupling the two, consuming foods that are nutritionally deficient, filled with a high number of empty calories, and are high in fat content, with excessive weight gain, is a prescription for ill health.

By simply modifying your dietary intake and focusing on consuming foods that are high in nutrients, minimally processed, and well balanced with a sound nutritional supplement routine many of the chronic diseases can be avoided. In addition, by taking it one step further and performing a physical activity on a regular basis, good health, fitness, and mental well-being is only a step away.

For additional information on the health and wellness benefits associated with regularly supplementing your dietary intake with vitamins please visit the Vitamin Glossary section of our website.

In addition, we have also included informational glossaries for many of the additional nutrients required to promote good health, ward off and reduce the probability of many of the chronic diseases, and allow the body to perform at it's optimal level.

More specifically, we have created additional nutritional glossaries related to the Minerals, Amino Acids, and Herbal Supplements that the body requires as well.