Why Vitamins are Vital

Choosing the perfect vitamin supplement

Vitamins are essential to our health for a number of reasons, and we all know this. But many of us really don't have a clue as to what they actually do in our bodies and what is the best way to get them. If you can't remember this information from high school Biology class, here's the scoop on your body's secret love affair with vitamins.

What are vitamins?

The catalysts for all human bodily functions are enzymes. These tiny agents control all of the body's chemical reactions. Their workforce is composed of coenzymes, which help speed these chemical reactions along smoothly. Coenzymes are vitamins and minerals that regulate the metabolism and assist in biochemical processes that convert digested food into energy.

There are two types of vitamins your body needs: water-soluble vitamins, which are needed daily, since your body has no way to store them; and the oil-soluble vitamins such as Vitamins A, D, E and K, which your body stores in fatty tissue and in your liver. Both types are equally important, and most are present in a wide variety of foods.

What to look for in a good vitamin supplement

When choosing a vitamin supplement, remember that your nutritional needs may vary according to several factors, including age, gender and level of physical activity. So your needs will differ at different stages of your life. For example, during pregnancy and lactation your nutritional requirements increase, and your tolerance of certain substances may be affected. This is also true for people suffering from a chronic illness or recovering from surgery or chemotherapy, and certainly true for anyone taking prescribed medications. Drugs often interfere with the body's ability to absorb vitamins, and certain drugs interact with certain nutrients, so it is essential to seek the advice of a qualified health professional that fully understands these interactions.

As a general rule, assume that the recommendations for daily minimums set forth by many government agencies, such as the U.S. Food and Nutrition Board, may err on the low side. In fact, the amounts recommended may be just barely enough to prevent diseases like rickets and beriberi, but hardly the dosage required for optimal health. Again, seek the advice of a licensed health professional who regularly uses vitamin therapy in a clinical setting and has gained substantial knowledge from actual experience with patients.

One thing to remember is that smaller doses taken several times a day may help you maintain your energy levels for longer periods without undergoing frequent ups and downs. In general, it is recommended that vitamins be taken with meals so that the body will recognize them as food.

The formulas on the market include tablets, capsules, lozenges, liquid, powder and sublingual drops. The liquid forms and sublingual drops are very quickly absorbed, and in certain conditions may be warranted, but they are generally costlier than other forms. Tablets in general are not recommended because the heat process required to form tablets often cancels out the benefits of the nutrients. Capsules are generally more economical than liquid forms and just as effective if the vitamins are balanced in proper proportions to one another and derived from natural food sources. But don't be fooled by clever marketing language on product labels. The word "natural" alone does not necessarily mean "natural food source" so make sure the product label denotes the actual source of each nutrient. Avoid all secret additives and fillers such as artificial colors and flavors, and unnecessary chemicals.

Ideally, our bodies should have their nutritional needs met through food intake. Yet this is practically impossible in a world dominated by processed, biochemically-enginneered food sources marketed with irresistable sales pitches. For those who are generally healthy and interested in enhancing their diet with a good multi-vitamin supplement, the market does offer a variety. But it is always wise to read the label of each product thoroughly, compare several products, and test by trial and error. Once you find a vitamin product that really makes a remarkable difference in your energy levels, stick with it - the benefits will only increase over time.