Vitamins are organic compounds that we need in small amounts for our bodies to function. They are essential for growth and development. We need to obtain vitamins from our diet as the body cannot synthesise them.
Vitamins are classified according to their biological and chemical activity. They have diverse functions from regulators of cell and tissue growth and differentiation to antioxidants.
Thirteen are currently recognised:
Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, C, D, E, K.
A study in the UK by the Food Standards Agency showed that most people have adequate vitamins in their diets. We can have a good diet by eating our 5 a day of fruit and vegetables, a handful of mixed nuts a day and avoiding processed foods.
So do we need to add vitamin supplements to a healthy diet?
The vitamin supplement industry is huge and some people believe that they do need to supplement their diets with vitamin supplements.
But could taking vitamin supplements do any harm? If you take too much water soluble vitamins you will just pass it out in your urine. If you take too much fat soluble vitamins they are stored in your fat and liver and taking too much can be dangerous.
My advice would be to get checked with your doctor to see if you are deficient before you take supplements.
What is your view of vitamin supplements? Do you take them?
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