Vitamin Benefits are a Key to Your Good Health

Learn What Vitamin Benefits Are and What Intelligent Supplementation Can Do for Your Well Being

Vitamins benefit different people in different ways. Genetics plays a role in determining nutritional needs and the way a particular vitamin benefits you.

As an example, we all know that smoking cigarettes is unhealthy. The mom of one of our editors was a smoker until her 40's when she developed asthma and emphysema as a result.

His uncle on the other side of the family however, smoked two packs of non-filtered Camels everyday. He lived a relatively disease free life and died in his mid 80's of "old age".

Genetics played a role in how each of their bodies handled the toxins they took in.

Do we suggest you NOT quit smoking? Do you enjoy a friendly game of Russian Roulette?

The same is true with vitamin benefits. Genetics may enable some folks to live in a nutrient deficient environment without many problems. But most of us need at least (and maybe more) the minimum RDA for most vitamins to help with preventing some chronic and degenerative diseases.

Vitamin Benefits in Foods Are Not What They Used to Be

U.S. Senate Document #264 tells us that our soils are becoming depleted of necessary nutrients. If this is so, then that means our vegetables, fruits, grains, eggs, milk and meats of today are not providing the vitamin benefits they once did. U.S. Senate Document #264 goes on to state that we can no longer eat enough to get the vitamins we need because our stomachs aren't big enough!

Also, an article appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) had this to say: "…suboptimal intake of some vitamins, above levels causing classic vitamin deficiency, is a risk factor for chronic diseases and common in the general population..."

In addition, the JAMA went on to say, "Most people do not consume an optimal amount of all vitamins by diet alone. Pending strong evidence of effectiveness from randomized trials, it appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements."

Vitamin Benefits Are Being Processed Out of Foods

Most of us live in industrialized societies. Most of our diets are what can be called "westernized". We literally process our foods to death. And along with processing the heck out of our foods, we are processing out the vitamin benefits as well.

When we get our foods home we overcook, we reheat, we freeze. Keep in mind that vitamins are unstable. The vitamins that are not processed out of our foods before we purchase them are almost certainly in danger by the way we prepare our foods once we get them home.

I Want My Vitamin Benefits

OK then, what benefits do vitamins provide and how do I get my mine? First of all keep in mind that vitamins work synergistically. That means that in order for one vitamin to benefit you, another has to be present. This is the reason it is recommended that a good multi vitamin be added to your daily diet.

As we mentioned on a previous page, we have to eat. As you can see from the Healthy Eating Pyramid, a good multi vitamin should be a part of your daily diet.

From EAT, DRINK, AND BE HEALTHY by Walter C. Willett, MD
copyright Simon & Schuster 2001.

We will provide some guidelines for choosing a good multi vitamin in later discussions.

In the meantime, let's look at some of the vitamin benefits provided by the individual vitamins ...

- Don't get enough folic acid and your baby runs the risk of being born with neural tube defects

- not enough B6 or B12? ... how about an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, colon and breast cancer

- not getting enough Vitamin D? ... you certainly don't want to increase your risk for osteoporosis and bone fractures

- lacking in the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E (your ACE in the hole)? ... free radicals are messing with your DNA (we'll get to antioxidants a little later)

Below you'll see that we've listed the major vitamins and the vitamin benefits of each ...

Vitamin A - The benefits of Vitamin A can have a significant impact on your vision. But the benefits of Vitamin A extend much further. Just don't over do it.

Vitamin C - Get the real facts on Vitamin C. This amazing nutrient is absolutely essential for life!

Vitamin D - This little talked about vitamin could keep you dancing into your 80's! ( ... and perhaps beyond!)

Vitamin E - Amazing facts about Vitamin E and the exciting benefits Vitamin E has for you - the real facts about Vitamin E just might surprise you!

Vitamin B6 - Vitamin B6 benefits you in more ways than any other vitamin. Vitamin B6 benefits you against vascular disease, dementia, bodily invaders and more

Folic Acid - Know your folic acid facts and how the benefits of folic acid can keep your heart, brain and baby healthy and happy

Vitamin B12 - Learn about your Vitamin B12 benefits and how the benefits of Vitamin B12 can keep your heart, mind and nerves healthy