What are vitamins?
Vitamins and minerals are tiny helpers our bodies need for everyday tasks. Since our bodies can't make these on their own, we've got to grab them from the food we eat.
Iron, found in foods like red meat and spinach, is the same metal found in items like iron railings – but I wouldn’t recommend eating an iron railing!
Supplements take vitamins and minerals from food and put them into easy-to-digest tablets or soft-gels. It's important to note that while supplements can provide extra nutrients, they should not replace a healthy diet and active lifestyle. They are useful when you need an additional nutrient boost.
Are vitamins good for you?
Essential nutrients like iron, calcium, and vitamin C are needed in small amounts for your body to function properly. This is why it’s advised to only take multi-vitamins once-a-day, and to discuss taking new vitamins with a GP/Doctor if you have other medical conditions.
The most popular vitamin supplements in the UK are Vitamin D and Vitamin C. As mentioned earlier, while we get some Vitamin D from food like oily fish and liver, most of it comes from sunlight. This can be a problem for people who work at night or spend all day indoors, especially in winter when the sun is scarce during our daily commutes.
Given the choice between eating sardines and liver for breakfast or taking a little Vitamin D supplement in the winter, it's clear why many people prefer the supplement bottle over the tin opener!
Why should I take vitamins?
However, there are times when taking a supplement can be helpful. This might be because of a not-so-great diet, needing extra nutrients like during pregnancy, taking specific medications, or getting older, or not being able to spend much time outdoors. That's why some people think taking supplements is a good idea in certain situations.
Vitamins can also enhance the health and appearance of your skin, hair and nails, meaning you can feel good on the inside while looking good on the outside.
Of course, vitamins aren’t just for looks and how shiny they make your hair (even though that is a bonus) but they are also the building blocks of your immune system. It’s important to take the right amount of the right vitamins every day to stay happy and healthy.
Vitamin Guide
If you’re struggling to understand the world of vitamins and supplements – don’t worry! We’ve created a guide of the most common vitamins and their benefits so you can navigate which ones you may need. Or you can learn something new about how vitamins support you and your body!
Vitamin C:
It is important for keeping your teeth and gums healthy and helps wounds and burns heal. It also helps your body absorb iron needed to make red blood cells.
Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, strawberries, and sweet peppers.
Hyaluronic Acid:
This supplement is an essential component of the skin, where it is involved in tissue repair. Supplementing with or applying hyaluronic acid may offer several potential benefits; Skin hydration, joint health, wound healing, eye health, and anti-aging properties.
While you can get hyaluronic acid in a serum form for direct skincare purposes, you can also get it from oranges, almonds, and sweet potatoes.
Vitamin E:
This vitamin helps maintain healthy skin and eyes and strengthens the body's natural defence against illness and infection (the immune system).
Good sources of food that have high sources of Vitamin E include plant oils, nuts, seeds, and wheat germ.
Zinc:
Has a key role in skin health, immune function, and cell growth and may protect against acne, inflammation, and other conditions.
You can get zinc from eating foods such as beef, pork, salmon, chickpeas, dairy, eggs, kale, and whole grains.
Selenium:
Supports the immune system, acts as an antioxidant, promotes thyroid health, and contributes to overall well-being when consumed in appropriate amounts.
Selenium is found in seafood and Brazil nuts.
Biotin:
This vitamin is also known as vitamin B7, and it can promote healthy hair, skin, and nails, support metabolism, and aid in the conversion of food into energy.
You can find biotin in foods such as eggs, fish, meat, seeds, nuts, and sweet potatoes.
Ceramides:
As we age, natural ceramide levels decrease and make it harder to maintain smooth skin. Skin Restoring Ceramides is a convenient oral supplement for promoting healthy ceramide levels, encouraging skin hydration and revitalization from within, and supporting your skin's elasticity. Taking oral ceramides has been clinically proven to hydrate skin and promote a youthful appearance.
Foods like soybeans, dairy, eggs, sweet potatoes, wheat germ, corn, and brown rice are good sources of ceramides.
Does price matter for vitamins?
When picking out your vitamins, forget about the price—shift your focus to the label! The quality of vitamins isn’t about the price but the amount of actual nutrients in each dose!
It is important to note, however, that a higher price could correlate to more premium, quality ingredients compared to cheaper alternatives. Cheaper supplements may also use less active or less potent forms of nutrients – which defeats the whole point of taking a multivitamin! The cheaper option may aslo use less bioavailable forms of vitamins and minerals, which may be less effectively absorbed through the body.
It’s important, when choosing your vitamins, that you choose from a trusted brand that have specifically formulated their vitamins with you in mind. Also take into consideration if the ingredient contains any artificial ingredients! Look for natural, high-quality ingredients that will benefit you and your body.
Don’t forget!
Remember guys, if you are currently using other medications or have underlying health conditions, it's essential to consult with your doctor before incorporating vitamin supplements into your routine.
While some folks use supplements to boost their health, it's essential to remember that a balanced diet is the key to staying healthy. No supplement can replace the good stuff you get from eating a mix of different foods.
