Necessary Vitamins to Improve Daily Health

Because of the way that vitamins regulate our metabolism, and helps with the process in which energy is released from the food that we eat; vitamins are very important to have in our life - and they bring us good health.

Our bodies need many different vitamins and minerals everyday to maintain optimum health. And the vitamins needed by the body varies between different people, as well as between men and women. Because women usually have smaller bones than a man, she could be more at risk for osteoporosis. If a woman is in the middle of her monthly period, she will probably need more iron. And, if a woman is pregnant or nursing, she will need more of just about every vitamin.

Though I think that all vitamins are important for well balanced health, these five vitamins I believe to be among the more important ones.

1. Vitamin A or Beta-Carotene is the vitamin known to be helpful in preventing night blindness and other vision problems. When our mothers used to tell us to eat our carrots because they were good for our eyes; she was right. Green and yellow fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of Vitamin A, but you can also get adequate amounts of this vitamin in apricots, cantaloupe and peaches for you fruits; and in your vegetables you can get it in asparagus, broccoli, sweet potatoes and spinach just to name a few.

2. B Complex - a combination of all your necessary B vitamins. The body uses the B vitamins working together to properly metabolize fats, carbohydrates and protein. A deficiency of B vitamins can cause irritability, fatigue and problems with your hair, nails and skin. Plums, prunes and raisins are good sources of fruit to get this vitamin in, and good sources of vegetables would be beans broccoli and Brussels sprouts. You can also get adequate amounts from most nuts.

3. Vitamin C is absolutely necessary to protect our bodies from illness and infection. It is also thought to help with tissue growth and repair. You can get this vitamin from most all of your green vegetables, berries and citrus fruits. Tomatoes and turnips are good sources as well.

4. Vitamin D is necessary for strong bones and healthy teeth. It also helps in preventing osteoporosis, and enhances immunity. Most doctors feel that our bodies can get adequate amounts of this vitamin from our face and arms being exposed to the sun two or three times a week, but a lot of people aren't comfortable doing this any more; knowing the harmful effects of the sun. To make sure your body gets enough vitamin D, you can get it from eating salmon, tuna, sweet potatoes and egg yolks. Fortified milk and oatmeal are good sources as well.

5. Vitamin E is an important vitamin in helping to prevent some cancers, and aids in fighting cardiovascular disease. It also helps to prevent cell damage. The best sources of this vitamin are dark green leafy green vegetables, nuts and legumes; though you can find goodly amounts in milk, oatmeal, cornmeal, sweet potatoes and wheat germ.

Eating well balanced meals is the best way to get the necessary vitamins for good health and well being, but if you feel that you are not getting the proper nourishment, a good multi-vitamin with these necessary vitamins would be all that you need to maintain your body in good health.

Resources:

Prescription for Nutritional Healing - by James F. Balch, M.D. - Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.

Te Comlete Book of Vitamin Cures - Prevention Health Books - Rodale Press, Inc.