Vitamins are an organic compound that our body requires in order to function properly. They are essential to organism development and normal growth.
Eating a varied diet provide all the vitamins we need, but restrictive diets can cause several illnesses and even deadly diseases. Vitamins can be supplied by diet or dietary supplements.
Vitamin A or Beta Carotene
Vitamin A is a powerful anti-oxidant which helps reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, lowers cholesterol, slows the aging process, protects against flue, colds, bladder and kidney infections and help strengthen eye sight.
Vitamin A deficiency can cause weak eye sight, infections, dry skin and defective teeth.
We can find find beta carotene in vegetables and fruits like apricots, broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, spinach.
Vitamin B 1 or Thianine
It enhances the circulation, assists in blood formation, generates energy, is a good muscle toner, alleviates fatigue and prevents depression.
Vitamin B1 deficiency can cause insomnia, weight loss, mental depression and paralysis. It can be found in foods like wheat germs, whole wheat, peas, beans, fish and meat.
Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin
Help blood cell development, forms anti bodies, oxygenates the skin, hair, nails and reduces migraine occurrence.
Vitamin B2 deficiency can cause poor/retarded growth, digestive disturbances, trembling and oily skin. We can find vitamin B2 in milk, fruits, nuts, eggs and meat.
Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine
Vitamin B6 help maintain a normal central nervous system and brain function, can reduce the risk of heart diseases, reduce muscle spasms, lower cholesterol and improve vision.
Deficiencies can cause anemia, slow learning, hair loss, skin eruptions and loss of muscle control.
We can find vitamin B6 in meat, fish, butter, wheat germ, whole grain cereals, and soybeans.
Vitamin B12 or Cobalamin
Vitamin B 12 helps preventing anemia, helps in the process of red cell formation, improves concentration and memory, and may protect against smoking-induced cancer. B 12 deficiency can cause dizziness, anemia, memory loss, depression and sight disorders.
Vitamin B12 can be found in meat, egg yolk, poultry and milk.
Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid
Is very important in collagen formation, reduces cholesterol, protects against heart diseases, strengthens blood vessels, bones and teeth, acts as a powerful anti-oxidant and helps in the production of anti-stress hormones.
Deficiencies may lead to loss of appetite, tooth decay, anemia, muscular and capillary weakness.
Vitamin C can be found many fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, cantaloupes and vegetables like beans, broccoli, green peppers.
Vitamin D
Assures the well-functioning of the internal organs, inhibits parathyroid hormones, promotes calcium absorption and stimulates bone growth.
Deficiencies may cause tooth decay, softening bones/osteoporosis, muscular weakness and inadequate calcium absorption. Vitamin D can be found in fish like salmon and tuna, fish liver oils, beef liver and egg yolks.
Vitamin E
Is a very powerful anti oxidant, prevents cardiovascular diseases and cancer, improves muscle strength, enhances sexual performance and treats premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Deficiencies may lead to lack of sexual vitality, loss of reproductive power.
Vitamin E can be found in vegetable oils like canola, corn, sunflower and palm oil, nuts, grains and rice.
