Vitamins that the Body Needs to Function

Vitamins are nutrients that the human body needs to stay healthy. There are a great amount of different vitamins that help improve different parts of the body. Things such as, hair, nails, the immune system, the skin, body tissue, and a few others. Here are some of the vitamins that I believe are important in maintaining human functions.

First is Vitamin D, which helps build and keep strong bones and also helps keep teeth healthy. One of Vitamin D's biggest influencer is sunlight, but can also be absorbed through diary products, cereals, and different fish products.

Next is Vitamin A, which helps in keeping human tissue, membranes, and the skin healthy. It is also important for good eye sight. Different food sources include eggs, fortified milk, spinach, and orange and yellow fruits and veggies, such as, sweet potatoes, carrots, and cantaloupe.

Next is Vitamin C, which is the main supporting vitamin of the immune system. This vitamin also plays a role in healthy bones, gums, blood vessels, red blood cells, and healing wounds. Obviously, the best food sources come from fruits and vegetables, such as, oranges or orange juice, strawberries, tomatoes, melons, and potatoes.

Next is Vitamin E, which takes parts in the immune system, DNA, and metabolism. This vitamin can also help in the protection against different types of cancers and cardiovascular disease. Food sources include types of nuts, seeds, whole grains, and healthy oils like canola and olive oil.

Next is Vitamin K, which helps protect against different cancers, skin wounds, and osteoporosis or poor bone growth. This vitamin also helps keep the blood from clotting during injuries. Some medications like, antibiotics and blood thinners, can cause poor absorption of Vitamin K. Food sources include broccoli, green leafy veggies, egg yolks, cheese, and milk.

Next is Thiamine or B1, which is needed to maintain and keep the body healthy. Food sources include meats, soybeans, peanuts, breads, grains, and cereals.

Next is Folic Acid or Folate, which helps in the prevention of neural tube effects or spina bifida in the fetis before birth. This vitamin also helps in the production of neurotransmitters that help regulate mood, sleep, and appetite. Food sources for this vitamin include citrus fruits, beans, peanuts, and dark green vegetables.

Next is Niacin (a B vitamin), which is combined with other B vitamins to assist in breaking down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and turning it into energy. Without this vitamin, the body would not be able to convert food into energy. Food sources include enriched grain products, beans, peas, poultry, peanut butter, and fish.

Next is Vitamin B12, which helps make red blood cells, maintain the nervous system, and digest and use fats, carbohydrates, and proteins for energy. This vitamin also forms neurotransmitters in the brain. Food sources include eggs, nuts, diary products, fish, and soy products.

Last is Vitamin B6, which makes antibodies and red blood cells, and helps the body build protein. This vitamin along with Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, B12, Biotin, and Panthothenic help increase energy levels, help regulate metabolism, and help make new blood cells. Food sources for Vitamin B6 include meats, fish, whole grains, nuts, and eggs.

Vitamins are definitely need to maintain a healthy and productive body, and a lot of healthy foods have a great amount of different types of vitamins in them. A lack in some or all of these vitamins can result in things such as, digestive problems, poor growth, skin problems, constipation, sleep disturbances, poor memory, dementia, anemia, mouth sore, and stomach disorders.

Source:

Viatmins and Minerals A to K, Disabled World (10/21/07).
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/vitamins_minerals.shtml