Vitamins and Health

The importance of vitamins to the body cannot be overstressed.

Without them, the body could not survive. This is why they are described, under the heading of micronutrients, as being part of the family of essential nutrients. Scientists in the early 1900's discovered that these nutrients were needed by the body in order to resist disease, for example.

The importance of vitamins is further understood when we see that the degree of the body's ability to adapt to it's environment, i.e. the things that we eat, drink, breathe etc., are dependant on essential nutrients of which vitamins are a part. Since the body is made of molecules composed from the food we consume, we must ensure that this food contains adequate supplies of these essential vitamins. Our bodies, being in a constant state of metabolism, need energy for this process, and although vitamins themselves contain no calories, they are needed for this energy metabolism process. Some, in particular the B-complex vitamins, act as coenzymes and are needed for the correct operation of enzymes within our bodies.

Further, vitamins are essential for both adults and children, for the maintenance of general health and growth. Many independant reliable studies have shown that supplementation above the RDA, in many cases many times that amount, have had significant benefit to the individuals tested with regard to increased health, decreases in illnesses such as heart disease and cancer, and also increased mental abilities. These studies led to the SONA, or the Suggested Optimal Nutritional Allowance being established.

Although vitamins are found in foods, they are only found in small amounts and with today's processing of foods etc, very often they are all but nonexistent. The fact that you see some breakfast cereals, for example, boasting of being a "fortified cereal" is not something that is actually that good. The reason it has been "fortified" as they say, or had a tiny amount of vitamins etc added, is because the processing of food has taken all the goodness out!

Many studies have shown that a diet supplemented with vitamins can be very conducive to health for many individuals, particularly those with a below average diet due to perhaps eating on the move, fast food etc.

Stay healthy.

- Paul Spencer Dip. (Clinical Nutrition)

Paul Spencer is available for one-to-one custom diet plans, advice and nutritional coaching for all individuals, including sports athletes, actors, etc. He can be contacted at nutritionist@optimalhealth.co.uk.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article has been written for educational purposes only. Before undertaking any form of diet or exercise regime you should consult your doctor before commencement, particularly if there is an underlying medical condition.