Vitamins are organic compounds that play crucial roles in various physiological processes within the human body. They are essential for maintaining overall health and well-being. Here are 10 key reasons why you should hit your vitamin targets.
- Nutrient Metabolism: Vitamins act as coenzymes or cofactors in metabolic reactions. They facilitate the conversion of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) into energy and help in the synthesis of essential molecules like DNA, RNA, and proteins.
- Antioxidant Defence: Certain vitamins, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene (a precursor of vitamin A), function as antioxidants. They help protect cells from oxidative damage by neutralizing harmful free radicals, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease.
- Immune System Support: Vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin D are essential for a properly functioning immune system. They help the body respond effectively to infections and play a role in immune cell proliferation and activity.
- Bone Health: Vitamins D and K are crucial for bone health. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, while vitamin K plays a role in bone mineralization. These vitamins help maintain strong and healthy bones.
- Vision: Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy vision. It is a key component of the visual pigment in the retina, helping us see in low-light conditions and preventing conditions like night blindness.
- Blood Clotting: Vitamin K is necessary for the blood clotting process. It ensures that when we get injured, our blood clots properly to stop excessive bleeding.
- Nervous System Function: B-vitamins, such as B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folate), and B12 (cobalamin), play essential roles in nerve function, including neurotransmitter synthesis and nerve cell maintenance.
- Cell Growth and Repair: Vitamin C is crucial for collagen synthesis, a protein that helps in wound healing and maintaining healthy skin, connective tissues, and blood vessels.
- Hormone Production: Vitamins like B5 (pantothenic acid) and B6 are involved in the synthesis of hormones and neurotransmitters, which regulate various bodily functions.
- Preventing Deficiency Diseases: Severe vitamin deficiencies can lead to diseases like scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), rickets (vitamin D deficiency), beriberi (vitamin B1 deficiency), and others, which can have serious health consequences if left untreated.
Incorporating a balanced and varied diet that includes a wide range of vitamins is crucial for overall health. While supplements can be helpful in cases of deficiency or certain medical conditions, it’s generally recommended to obtain vitamins from natural food sources, as they often contain other beneficial compounds like fiber and antioxidants.
At Destiny Health, our dieticians can pin point what vitamins you need to consume more of. Simply book your Free Online Assessment on our home page today!
References:
- Gropper, S. S., Smith, J. L., & Carr, T. P. (2017). Advanced nutrition and human metabolism. Cengage Learning.
- Ross, A. C., Caballero, B., Cousins, R. J., Tucker, K. L., & Ziegler, T. R. (Eds.). (2014). Modern nutrition in health and disease (11th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. (2021). Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Fact Sheets. Retrieved from tps://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/list-all/
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2021). The Nutrition Source: Vitamins. Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin