We are a non-commercial information site. Our purpose is to inform  people of various health issues and topics relating to vitamin supplements.The contents of this Web site are not intended to offer personal medical advice, which should be obtained from a health-care provider.

 

The following information does not mention brand names, nor does it endorse any particular products or company.

 

 

Vitamins and minerals are substances your body needs in small but steady amounts for normal growth, function and health.

Together, vitamins and minerals are called micronutrients. Your body can't make most micronutrients, so you must get them from the foods you eat or, in some cases, from supplements.

Vitamins are needed for a variety of biologic processes, among them growth, digestion, mental alertness and resistance to infection. They also enable your body to use carbohydrates, fats and proteins, and they act as catalysts, initiating or speeding up chemical reactions. Though vitamins are involved in converting food into energy, they supply no calories.

 

 

Water-soluble vitamins.
 Vitamin C, biotin and the seven B vitamins — thiamin (B-1), riboflavin (B-2), niacin (B-3), pantothenic acid (B-5),

pyridoxine (B-6), folic acid (B-9) and cobalamin (B-12) — dissolve in water (water-soluble) and aren't stored in your body in any significant amounts. Surplus water-soluble vitamins are simply excreted in your urine.
 
Fat-soluble vitamins.
 Any extra vitamin A, D, E or K not used by your body right after ingestion is stored in your body fat and liver. Excess

fat-soluble vitamins can accumulate in your body and become toxic. You're especially sensitive to excess amounts of vitamins A and D. Because vitamins E and K affect blood clotting, talk with your doctor before taking a supplement that contains either of these vitamins if you're taking a blood thinner, such as warfarin (Coumadin).

 

Vitamin C  (Ascorbic Acid)  - One of the most  widely used vitamins.

 

Beta-Carotene   (Vitamin A precursor) - Yellow pigment that forms vitamin A.

 

Biotin   (Vitamin H) - Carbon dioxide carrier that builds fats.

 

Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol) - The vitamin made from rich sunlight.

 

Vitamin b-12   (Cyanocobalamin) - A vitamin that treats pernicious anemia.

 

Folic Acid   (Folate, Vitamin B-9) - A vitamin that helps fetus development during pregnancy.

 

Vitamin K   (Menadione)- A fat-soluble vitamin that helps to clot blood.

 

Niacin   (Nicotinamide, Vitamin B-3) - A pyridine important in nucleic acid metabolism.

 

Vitamin B-5   (Pantothenic Acid) - Important for normal growth.

 

Vitamin B-6   (Pyridoxine) - A very versatile coenzyme.

 

Vitamin A   (Retinol) - The first vitamin to be discovered.

 

Vitamin B-2   (Riboflavin) - The vitamin that gives urine its yellow color.

 

Thiamine   (Vitamin B-1) - A sure cure for Beriberi.

 

Vitamin E   (Alpha-Tocopherol)- A free radical destroyer.

 

 

Who needs vitamin and mineral supplements? 
 

Many people don't receive all of the nutrients they need from their diet because they don't (or can't) eat enough food, or they  don't (or can't) eat a variety of healthy foods. For some people, including those on restrictive diets, a multivitamin or mineral supplements can provide vitamins and minerals that their diets don't offer.

 Pregnant women and older adults have altered nutrient needs and may also benefit from a supplement.

 

Whole foods are your best sources of vitamins and minerals. They offer three main benefits over supplements:

 

Whole foods are complex. They contain a variety of the micronutrients your body needs — not just one. An orange, for example, provides vitamin C but also beta carotene, calcium and other nutrients. Vitamin C supplements alone lacks these other micronutrients.

Whole foods provide dietary fiber. Fiber is important for digestion and can help prevent certain diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Adequate fiber intake can also help prevent constipation.

Whole foods contain other substances that appear to be important for good health. Fruits and vegetables, for example, contain naturally occurring food substances called phytochemicals, which may help protect you against cancer, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Many are also good sources of antioxidants  (substances that slow down oxidation) which is a natural process that leads to cell and tissue damage.

 

 If you depend on supplements rather than eating a variety of whole foods, you miss the potential benefits of these substances.

 

 

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