vitamins

Vitamins can help the body to function. Vitamins come from natural sources such as plant and animal materials. With the exception of one of the vitamin K types, vitamins have to come in from external sources because they are not manufactured by the body. So vitamin sources are usually taken into the body by food sources or supplement.

There are two types of vitamins. Vitamins can be fat soluble or water soluble. Fat soluble vitamins are stored by the body in the fatty cells or in the liver. Fat soluble vitamins are vitamins A, E, D and K. This way when the body needs them it just uses what's in storage. The body does not expel the fat soluble vitamins so the chance of a build up is possible if they are ingested in excess. Therefore it is important not to build up a large amount of these vitamins, as too much of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K can become toxic to a person’s system.

The Federal Drug Administration publishes the daily requirements of vitamins and minerals. These lists of vitamins and minerals will help you decide the proper amounts of certain foods that people need to maintain health. The FDA’s lists will also instruct you about which foods contain what vitamins, so you will know what to eat each day. The FDA also requires that food items have labels that tell what percent of the minimum daily requirement their items ingredients contain. If people look at the labels they can get an idea of how they are doing to ensure they have the daily requirements of the various vitamins. Plus, researching the type and amount of vitamins in fresh fruit, vegetables and other types of food will help you determine whether or not you are getting enough nutrition from the food you eat daily.

We must do a little research and pay closer attention at foods that we eat every day, and the vitamins they might contain. If you do decide that you need a bit of help in the vitamin area of your diet, try taking a basic multivitamin to begin with. You will then know which specific vitamin to add to your daily regimen.