Introduction
At the moment, it has become very trendy to take vitamins and dietary supplements for any reason. Got a cold? Take some vitamins. Are you nervous at work? This is all due to vitamin deficiency. Hair falls out. You definitely need vitamins. On the one side, there is some common sense in this. Certainly, most of us, mainly after winter, are faced with the fact of avitaminosis – a lack of some vitamins. But, on the other side, few people think that vitamins are also medicine. And their uncontrolled use can even lead to the development of cancer.
It is believed that if a person does not have chronic diseases, if a person does not have special conditions such as: increased psycho-emotional or physical stress, stress, sudden climate change, pregnancy, or rapid growth, then a person cannot suffer from vitamin deficiency. If someone has a various enriched with fruit and vegetables diet, then he or she receives most of the required vitamins from food.
Because of the irrational lifestyle and ecological situation, it is very challenging to keep your diet healthy enough. Corresponding to the medical statistics, over 70% of our illness depends on diet and lifestyle. But finding out acceptable nutrition should be based not only on the energy value, but also on the vitamin content of foods. In Latin, “vitamin” stands for life. These natural composites have the proficiency to intensify the strength of biological progressions, help protect against the damaging effects of outward circumstances, increase the body’s resistance to infections and promote recovery. Deficiency or lack of vitamins can cause various bodily dysfunctions. To determine the number of vitamins, you can do all the necessary tests at the center.
Types of Vitamins: Benefits, Deficiencies, & Sources
Currently, about 20 different vitamins are known. And if the benefits of vitamins obtained artificially are disputed by many, then vitamins of natural origin are beyond doubt by almost no one. Here is a list of just some vitamins and consider their effects on the body.
The most important vitamins for humans are vitamins A, B, C, D, E. Their insufficient content can lead to avitaminosis (insufficient amount of vitamin) and vitamin deficiency (complete absence). They can act on the body as a group and be absorbed by the body in the presence of other vitamins.
Vitamin A ensures the normal functions and structure of the mucous membranes and epithelium, regulates the functions of the sex glands and the content of glucose in the blood. Its deficiency can lead to growth retardation, decreased immunity, changes in the organs of vision, skin, digestive and respiratory tract, and impaired secretion of gastric juice. In more severe cases, malignant formations occur and “night blindness” develops.
Vitamin B includes a group of vitamins: B1 affects growth and development, increases physical and mental performance, has analgesic, wound healing, and antidepressant properties. With its deficiency, disturbances in the functioning of the digestive, cardiovascular, and nervous systems develop. Its low content also causes depression, memory loss, muscle weakness, and in its extreme form leads to Beri-Beri disease.
B2 is responsible for the condition of the skin, mucous membranes, visual functions, participates in metabolism and synthesizes hemoglobin. Its deficiency can cause loss of body weight and appetite; headache, weakness; growth retardation in children; disorders of the thyroid gland; dermatitis, hair loss; changes in the cornea, insomnia, slow mental reaction.
B3 or RR promotes energy production, protein, and fat synthesis. Symptoms of its deficiency are heartburn, depression, irritability, fatigue, dermatitis, diarrhea, disorientation, hallucinations, and delirium. Failure to do so can be fatal.
B5 regulates the functions of the sex glands and adrenal glands, improves the structure of hair, nails, and skin. Insufficiency of pantothenic acid, in other words, vitamin B5, manifests itself in the form of apathy, weakness, fatigue, pain in the legs, and impaired heart function.
B6 (pyridoxine) increases physical and mental performance, has anti-inflammatory, immuno-stimulant effects, improves brain metabolism, regulates the functions of the adrenal glands and gonads. Its deficiency can cause severe hair loss; loss of appetite; dizziness; numbness; anemia; slow wound healing.
B9 (folic acid) promotes cell division, fetal development, and the formation of red blood cells. Its deficiency in the body leads to anemia, rapid fatigue, weakness, and memory impairment. Children experience weight loss and decreased brain function. In pregnant women, it can lead to miscarriage, placental abruption, stillbirth, and spontaneous abortion.
B12 normalizes sleep and blood pressure, improves reproductive function, and also increases appetite. If there is insufficiency, cell division processes are disrupted, fatigue increases, and headaches appear.
Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid. Increases the body’s resistance to diseases, restores the structure of cartilage and bone tissue. Low concentration causes lethargy, decreased performance and weakness.
Vitamin D works not only as a vitamin, but also as a hormone. Regulates metabolic processes, reduces lead poisoning. How the hormone affects kidneys, muscles and intestinal cells. Vitamin D deficiency manifests itself in irritability, tearfulness, loss of appetite, osteoporosis, and rickets.
Vitamin E protects cells from destruction, prevents blood clots, participates in hormone synthesis, ensures muscle functions and supports the immune system. It also promotes the development of the fetus and the continuation of the pregnancy, as well as the maturation of gametes. In case of deficiency, a breakdown of red blood cells, muscle weakness, sexual dysfunction and involuntary abortions are observed