Vitamins are essential. Alongside minerals and water, they make up the tools our body needs to function, whether it’s to support your immune system, help normal growth and development during childhood and adolescence or help your cells and organs do their jobs. You may have heard of carrots helping eyesight or plums being great for relieving constipation. These, among many more, are crucial to living a healthy life.
However, like with most things, things are taken out of context and misinterpreted. There has been a widespread movement since the 1970s that saw vitamins as the cure to all our ailments. This, unfortunately, isn't true. The use of vitamins is versatile and beneficial when taken in moderation, but there is always such a thing as too much.
Here are some crucial facts about vitamins that you might not have known. Your physical and mental health is important, whether it’s making the time to exercise, eat healthier or taking vitamin supplements, it’s important to know both sides of the story:
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Don’t Take Your Vitamins On An Empty Stomach: Many oral medications are recommended to take during or after eating. This is due to the fact that the lining of the medication causes your stomach to excrete more digestive juices in an effort to break down the material.
Unfortunately, the stomach tends to produce more than necessary which can cause irritation of the stomach lining, leading to cramps and nausea. Vitamins are no different. Wait until breakfast or dinner before popping your multivitamin and save yourself the trouble. -
Pair Your Vitamin C With Iron: A number of studies have shown a link between vitamin C and iron with iron contributing to Vitamin C’s absorption into the body. This means that you can get much more bang for your buck for your Vitamin C by sprinkling some iron into your meal.
Pair your citrus fruits, red peppers or more with fortified cereals or dried beans to maximise your Vitamin C’s potential. Whether it’s supporting the formation of collagen, wound healing and bone and cartilage maintenance, ensure that your Vitamin C is put to good use. -
Taking Folic Acid During Pregnancy: It’s been shown that folic acid is a crucial aspect of the foetuses development early during pregnancy which helps form the neural tube which forms the baby’s brian and spine. It is also important to prevent major birth defects such as anencephaly and spina bifida.
In a U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)recommends a folic acid supplement of 400 to 800 milligrams per day for women a couple months before trying to conceive and found a substantial decrease in birth defects for the newborns. -
Don't Flush Out Your Water-Soluble Vitamins: Water-soluble vitamins include Vitamins B (aka. All B series) and Vitamin C. The term “water soluble” refers to the vitamin’s property to dissolve when exposed to water. This means that they tend to be absorbed by the water you put into your buddy and then get flushed out through your urine or sweat.
Therefore, when taking Vitamin B or C supplements, ensure that you don’t urinate or sweat out your vitamins by restocking your body daily so as to make the most of your Vitamin B and C supplements for a stronger, healthier body. -
Vitamin C is Key for Tissue Repair: Although Vitamin C has been widely known in wider culture as the cure for scurvy, that isn’t generally an issue we face in the modern world. However, a less well-known fact is that Vitamin C is one of the main components for tissue repair.
If you've ever had a significant injury or surgery, Vitamin C helps with healing your skin as well as bolstering your immune system in general. Typically, healthy individuals demonstrated to experience health benefits without any real downsides with daily 500-milligram supplements. -
Herbs Can Also Have A Big Effect On Your Body, Just Like Vitamins: Often being interchangeable, in the modern day of vitamin and mineral supplements, it’s important to remember that all the body’s crucial vitamins are derived from regular plants and herbs.
Whether it’s oregano, basil and thyme to chamomile, rosemary and cilantro, get the best of health benefits today. Everything from calcium, iron, vitamin B6, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin K as well as everything else under can provide your body with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and many more benefits. -
Taking Too Many Vitamins Can Get You Sick: When taking fat-soluble vitamins (i..e Vitamins A, D, E and K), be sure not to take more doses than necessary. An overuse of fat-soluble vitamins can cause an increase in toxicity in the body which can lead to potentially harmful side effects.
- Vitamin A toxicity may lead to nausea, and increased intracranial pressure.
- Vitamin D toxicity may lead to weight loss, appetite loss and irregular heartbeat.
- High doses of Vitamin E supplements may interfere with blood clotting and cause haemorrhages.
Keep in mind that these are rare/severe cases yet the risks are real. Fat-soluble vitamins are not flushed out of the body with water and may build up in tissues and lead to long-term damage. Other water-soluble vitamins such as Vitamin C and B3 may also lead to harm such as diarrhoea, cramps, high blood pressure and abdominal pain. When taking supplements, know your limits and stay safe.
Looking Past Vitamins
Ultimately, vitamin and mineral supplements are designed to boost your body’s physical ehealth. Everything from your immune system, bone and muscle maintenance, your eyesight, blood clotting and more requires maintenance and care. Your body is what you put into it as well as what you make of it.
At the end of the day, the most proven and long-standing form of maintenance for your body is exercise. Offering the best of high-end top quality exercise equipment locally, Fitness Avenue provides you access to affordable and warranty-covered fitness equipment at our online fitness store at https://www.fitnessavenue.ca. Contact us today to find your ideal home exercise solution.
