Vitamins and Your Health

Without vitamins, we would fall ill to numerous ailments that would rob us of life. It's important to make sure that through a well-balanced diet and regular exercise that we keep our bodies, inside and out, as healthy as possible. Many people take extra vitamins and minerals to help ensure that they achieve the recommended daily allowance for optimal performance.

There are ten immune system vitamin supplements that will help keep your body's systems strong and healthy. Vitamin A is a great immune system vitamin supplement as it helps to reduce infections and also encourages normal cell production. Some people feel that Vitamin A also helps reduce the chances of suffering from ulcers and high blood pressure. Another is Vitamin E, protects brain cells and contains antioxidants that help

protect the heart against heart disease. Vitamin C supports the immune system and also contains certain anti-viral properties.

Selenium serves as part of the body's own 'detox' system and can help rid the body of wastes and is known to reduce the effects of aging in human body tissues. It also contains antioxidants that help protect the body from cancer and heart problems. Beta-carotene is a very important immune system vitamin that converts to Vitamin A in the body, and promotes the production of cells that fight bacteria.

Zinc helps protect us against illness and not only helps fight off infections, but protect us from anemia. It also aids the production of white blood cells, the body's first line of defense against viruses and bacteria.

B12 vitamins maintain red blood cell health and production. They also break down amino acids in our bodies, which can help lower the risk of some heart diseases. B12 vitamins increase energy. Small amounts of B12 vitamins also help strengthen bones and prevent or slow the advance of osteoporosis. Not getting enough B12 vitamins can lead not only to anemia, but also to disorders involving the nervous system. We get enough B12 vitamins through a proper diet, especially one that includes liver, beef or chicken, meats such as beef and pork and also from dairy products like milk, eggs and cheese. Fish is also a source of B12 vitamins for those who don't particularly care for much meat in their diets.

However, B12 vitamins don't absorb well through the stomach, but a liquid brand of B12 vitamins make them much easier to both take and digest. Seniors also have trouble absorbing B12 vitamins, and so doctors will often give them injections to facilitate absorption. If you're taking B12 vitamins, you need to avoid being in direct sunlight for long periods of time and curtail alcohol consumption. Women taking estrogen should avoid taking B12 vitamins as well as anyone taking sleeping pills.

Fish has long been considered good 'heart' food, due to the omega-3 fatty acid content found in most types of fish. Diets that include omega-3 fatty fish such as salmon, lake trout and albacore tuna reduce the risk of heart attacks. But what if you don't like fish?

Fish oil supplements are popular, and more than 10% of adults in the United States currently take fish oil supplements. Fish oil pills are one of the fastest growing in the supplement industry in the Unites States today.

Fish oil supplements can suppress inflammation and reduce blood clotting and blood pressure, as well as offer additional protection to the heart by the presence of the omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are metabolized into the body and have a positive effect on heart metabolism. Omega-3 fatty acids help blood to stay 'sticky', which reduces the risk of blood clotting that leads to stroke or blocked blood vessels. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil supplements help dilate blood vessels and relieve high blood pressure in some. Fish oil supplements help protect the heart and circulatory system, and while taking a fish oil supplement is considered safe, don't take more than the recommended daily allowance of fish oil supplement to prevent adverse reactions, such as restricting the body's ability to clot blood at all, which may lead to hemorrhages.

Vitamins are vital to good health. The body can't function properly without them. Make sure you're getting the right amounts for optimum health, especially as you grow older. Your body will thank you.