Vitamins have become common place in today's society. The need and use for them has greatly increased over the past 15 years. What's the deal?

Vitamins are the tools the body uses to perform different functions. Such as put calcium into bones, protein into muscles and turn carbohydrates into energy.

There are two major types of vitamins; water soluble, which include vitamin C and many B vitamins. Fat soluble is the other type and includes Vitamin D, A, E, and K. One must be careful when taking the fat soluble vitamins because of the bodies difficultly in handling excessive amounts. Ask your health provider before starting a mega-dose of any vitamin.

Although the chemical structure of the vitamin is the same, there is a difference between synthetic (made by humans) and natural food concentrate vitamins. Generally the food concentrate doses have the vitamins as well as other natural ingredients which help the body absorb more and get a greater benefit. It will say on the label if the product is a food concentrate or natural. If it says nothing it is usually synthetic. Generally most food concentrates are most expensive but are worth the investment.

One a day type of vitamin may be convenient, but they are not helpful to the body. They have ingredients to slow their digestion so that they will last all day. This decreases both absorption and effectiveness. Since vitamins are part of the food we eat, it is recommended that we take a good supplement three times a day with meals. This keeps a constant supply for the body to use as needed.

If you smoke, drink alcohol, diet of work at a busy, stressful job, you will most likely benefit from adding vitamins to your daily routine.

Original publication The Town Line newspaper South China, ME 04358
Information contained herein furnished by Nadeau Chiropractic Wellness Center
2135 N. Belfast Ave, Augusta, ME