Why do we Need Vitamins?

We need vitamins to survive. We need vitamins to stay healthy. We need vitamins to continue being the productive, energetic human beings we want to be. Of all the “things” we might consider essential in life, vitamins should be at or near the top of the list.

So, what are vitamins, these essential ingredients for a long, healthy life? They are organic substances and nutrients that are only in living plants and animals. Without them our bodies just wouldn’t work correctly. Unfortunately, our bodies don’t “make” vitamins. We have to get what we need from food and/or from supplements that we purchase.

It may help to think of vitamins as one of several necessary building blocks that keep our bodies working, non-stop. The human body, for example, is made up of a number of chemicals, but it is primarily water. The cells that are the basis for all body tissue are mostly water but the cell walls and the active elements of cells must have vitamins to function well. The organs of our bodies – heart, lungs, stomach etc. – wouldn’t pump blood, distribute oxygen and metabolize food without essential vitamins.

For example, people commonly consider Vitamin A as essential to eyesight, which is true to a certain extent. But this vitamin is also important in battling infections and building strong teeth and bones. These are just a few examples of what one vitamin does in the human body.

Many doctors consider the “B” vitamins to be more than important. Our bodies must have the right amounts of several vitamins in this group to function properly. The “B” group is made up of 12 vitamins, some of which help provide oxygen to the body’s cells and work to ensure that the nervous system functions well. In fact, “B” vitamins are crucial in the operation of the brain, as it sends and receives electro-chemical signals.

Doctors and nutritionists often advise their patients that Vitamin C is at the top of the “important” list. It is essential in helping the body battle infections and is crucial in the healing of wounds. Soft tissue in the body stays healthy with Vitamin C, as do our blood vessels.

We must also have sufficient supplies of Vitamin D because it helps our body use calcium and phosphorus. This is important because these chemicals are the building blocks for the skeleton and for the teeth. Vitamin E is sometimes the least regarded among essential vitamins. However, without it our blood vessels wouldn’t remain strong and pliable. Without Vitamin E, it would also be more difficult for the body to heal wounds and injuries.

Vitamins are available in the fresh foods we eat. Many of the foods we buy supply vitamins we need, though the best sources are fresh dairy products, fruits and vegetables. Extensive research on the world of vitamins has allowed doctors and nutrition experts to set recommended daily allowances for vitamins. Some essential vitamins can be harmful in large amounts. Leaving fresh foods exposed to the air for a short time can significantly reduce the vitamins available. In addition, people don’t pay enough attention to the vitamins available in commercially prepared foods. It is much more likely that people will have a vitamin deficiency than an excess of vitamins!