Why do we need Vitamins?

    Vitamins are essential to life. They contribute to good health by controlling your metabolism and support the biochemical processes that release energy from the food we eat. Vitamins are considered micronutrients because the body needs them in small amounts compared with nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and water.
    Of the major vitamins, some are fat-soluble while others are water-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins must be taken into the body daily, as they cannot be stored and are flushed out within one to four days. These include C vitamins and the B-complex vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins can be stored for longer periods of time in the body’s fatty tissue and the liver. These include vitamins A, D, E, and K. The body for proper functioning needs both types of vitamins.

What Vitamins are Better Synthetic or Natural?

    Ideally, all of us would get all of the vitamins we need for optimal health from fresh, healthful foods. However, in reality this is quite difficult. In our chemically polluted and stress-filled world, our need for vitamins have been increasing, but the number of calories we need has been decreasing, as our general level of physical activity has declined. This means that to obtain the optimal amount of many vitamins, it is necessary to take them in supplement form.
    Vitamins can be divided into two groups, synthetic and natural. Synthetic vitamins are vitamins produced in laboratories from isolated chemicals that are identical to their corresponding item found in nature. Natural vitamins are derived from food sources. Although there are no major chemical differences between a vitamins found in food and vitamins created in a laboratory, synthetic supplements contain the isolated vitamins only, while many natural supplements contain other nutrients. This is because these vitamins are in their natural state. If you are deficient in a certain vitamins, the chemical source will work, but you will not get the benefits of these vitamins found in whole foods.
    Studies have shown that protein-bonded vitamins, as found in natural whole food supplements, are absorbed, utilized, and retained in the tissues better than supplements that are not protein-bonded. Chemical-derived vitamins are not protein-bonded. Vitamins and minerals in food are bonded to proteins, bioflavonoids, carbohydrates, and lipids. Using a natural form of vitamins and minerals in nutritional supplements is the objective of the protein-bonding process. Taking vitamins with meals helps to assure a supply of other nutrients needed for better absorption.

What Kind of Vitamins are out There?

    Vitamins and minerals that are purchased at stores or online come in various forms, combinations, and amounts. They are available in tablet, capsule, gel-capsule, powder, sublingual, lozenge, and liquid forms. In most cases, it is a matter of personal preference as to how they are taken. However, due to slight variations in how rapidly the vitamins are absorbed, one kind will be recommended more then others.
    Vitamin supplements are usually available as isolated vitamins or in combination with other nutrients. It is important to select your vitamins based upon what you really need. The amount of vitamins you take should be based upon your own requirements. A program designed for health maintenance would be different from one designed to overcome a specific disorder. If you find certain vitamins that meet your needs, remember to take them daily. If there is no single vitamin that provides you with what you are looking for, consider taking a combination of different vitamins. You may find a supplement that contains several needed vitamins in one tablet or capsule.
    Because the potency of most vitamins maybe decreased by sunlight, make sure that the container holding your vitamins is dark enough to shield its contents properly. Some people may be sensitive to plastic, and may need to purchase vitamins in glass containers. Vitamins should be kept in a cool, dark place. All vitamins work best when taken in combination with food. Unless specified otherwise, fat-soluble vitamins should be taken before meals, and water-soluble vitamins should be taken after meals.

Balancing Your Vitamins Properly

    The proper balance of vitamins and minerals is important to the proper functioning of all vitamins. Scientific research has proved that an excess of a single vitamin or mineral can produce the same symptoms as a deficiency of a vitamin or mineral. For example, high doses of isolated B vitamins have been shown to cause depletion of other B vitamins.
Synergy is a phenomenon whereby two or more vitamins combine to create a stronger vitamin function. For example, in order for bioflavonoids to work properly, they must be taken along with vitamin C. Recent studies show that bioflavonoids also may be a big factor in preventing cancer and many other diseases.
    In addition, certain substances can block the absorption and effects of vitamins. For example, the absorption of C vitamins is greatly reduced by antibiotic drugs, so a person taking antibiotics requires a higher amount of C vitamins.