We all need vitamins. It’s one of the most obvious healthy eating facts ever.
The question is: do you know what these essential vitamins are and where you can get them?
I would guess that a great majority of people do not know exactly what it is that these vitamins do to improve our health. As a matter of fact, I’m willing to bet my pajamas that not everyone can enumerate all the essential vitamins, much less state where they are obtained.
Today, let’s talk about some of the not-so-popular vitamins that our bodies need. Stick around and maybe you’ll learn something.
Vitamin K
Discovered in 1929, this fat-soluble vitamin is responsible for blood clotting (known as coagulation) and for the formation of bones in our body. Here’s an interesting tidbit: the K actually stands for “Koagulations Vitamin” (German and Scandinavian).
Vitamin K is recommended for women undergoing menopause (and those who are postmenopausal) to prevent bone loss.
Osteoporosis and coronary heart disease are two health problems associated with chronic vitamin K deficiency. Symptoms of vitamin K deficiency include anemia, frequent bruising, gum bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding in women and nose bleeds.
Lucky for us, we can get vitamin K from many sources. These include egg yolks, animal liver, butter, whole grains, dark leafy vegetables, cabbages and fermented soy (i.e. miso).
Vitamin E
Another fat-soluble antioxidant (see how important fat is for our body?), vitamin E is necessary for blood circulation and the repair and healing of tissue. One of its most vital roles is the deactivation of free radicals.
You know what this means. Vitamin E actually helps slow down the aging process. And prevents cancer.
Fortunately, vitamin E deficiency is rarely seen in humans. It’s only been observed in people who have problems metabolizing dietary fat. As you can see, the human body needs fat in order to properly absorb vitamin E. If you follow a low-fat diet, chances are you might also be depriving your body of this essential vitamin.
Unfortunately, our bodies cannot manufacture vitamin E. We would have to get vitamin E from the food we eat and from food supplements.
Vitamin P
Vitamin P, also called bioflavonoid, is a water-soluble compound that enhances the absorption of vitamin C. In turn, vitamin C promotes cellular healing, strengthens the structure of blood capillaries and boosts immune system functions.
Vitamin P actually plays many valuable roles in the body:
Vitamin Q
This is also called Coenzyme Q10. This is needed by the body in order to produce energy that fuels its various processes. Also an antioxidant, it’s been observed to be effective in treating periodontal disorders and cardiovascular diseases.
We can get vitamin Q from all animal products (i.e. heart meat). Note that drugs that lower cholesterol levels in the body interfere with the absorption of vitamin Q.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, which it needs for stronger bones, healthier teeth and normal growth. It helps prevent cancer and multiple sclerosis.
In the presence of sunlight, our bodies create vitamin D out of cholesterol. Ideally, you should be able to get your daily dose of vitamin D just by spending a short amount of time under the sun. That’s true if you base the number on the U. S. Recommended Daily Allowance. However, the amount of vitamin D recommended is not really what’s optimal for the body.
Where else can we get vitamin D then? There’s butterfat, eggs, liver and seafood, particularly shrimps and crabs.
Those are the five often-neglected essential vitamins. After reading these healthy eating facts, it’s time to ask yourself this question: “Am I really getting enough vitamins?”
The question is: do you know what these essential vitamins are and where you can get them?
I would guess that a great majority of people do not know exactly what it is that these vitamins do to improve our health. As a matter of fact, I’m willing to bet my pajamas that not everyone can enumerate all the essential vitamins, much less state where they are obtained.
Today, let’s talk about some of the not-so-popular vitamins that our bodies need. Stick around and maybe you’ll learn something.
Vitamin K
Discovered in 1929, this fat-soluble vitamin is responsible for blood clotting (known as coagulation) and for the formation of bones in our body. Here’s an interesting tidbit: the K actually stands for “Koagulations Vitamin” (German and Scandinavian).
Vitamin K is recommended for women undergoing menopause (and those who are postmenopausal) to prevent bone loss.
Osteoporosis and coronary heart disease are two health problems associated with chronic vitamin K deficiency. Symptoms of vitamin K deficiency include anemia, frequent bruising, gum bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding in women and nose bleeds.
Lucky for us, we can get vitamin K from many sources. These include egg yolks, animal liver, butter, whole grains, dark leafy vegetables, cabbages and fermented soy (i.e. miso).
Vitamin E
Another fat-soluble antioxidant (see how important fat is for our body?), vitamin E is necessary for blood circulation and the repair and healing of tissue. One of its most vital roles is the deactivation of free radicals.
You know what this means. Vitamin E actually helps slow down the aging process. And prevents cancer.
Fortunately, vitamin E deficiency is rarely seen in humans. It’s only been observed in people who have problems metabolizing dietary fat. As you can see, the human body needs fat in order to properly absorb vitamin E. If you follow a low-fat diet, chances are you might also be depriving your body of this essential vitamin.
Unfortunately, our bodies cannot manufacture vitamin E. We would have to get vitamin E from the food we eat and from food supplements.
Vitamin P
Vitamin P, also called bioflavonoid, is a water-soluble compound that enhances the absorption of vitamin C. In turn, vitamin C promotes cellular healing, strengthens the structure of blood capillaries and boosts immune system functions.
Vitamin P actually plays many valuable roles in the body:
- It helps lower cholesterol levels.
- It helps regulate menstruation in women.
- It helps reduce risks for developing cataracts.
- It has superior antibacterial effects.
- Where can we get vitamin P? From peppers, buckwheat, grapes and certain citrus fruits.
Vitamin Q
This is also called Coenzyme Q10. This is needed by the body in order to produce energy that fuels its various processes. Also an antioxidant, it’s been observed to be effective in treating periodontal disorders and cardiovascular diseases.
We can get vitamin Q from all animal products (i.e. heart meat). Note that drugs that lower cholesterol levels in the body interfere with the absorption of vitamin Q.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, which it needs for stronger bones, healthier teeth and normal growth. It helps prevent cancer and multiple sclerosis.
In the presence of sunlight, our bodies create vitamin D out of cholesterol. Ideally, you should be able to get your daily dose of vitamin D just by spending a short amount of time under the sun. That’s true if you base the number on the U. S. Recommended Daily Allowance. However, the amount of vitamin D recommended is not really what’s optimal for the body.
Where else can we get vitamin D then? There’s butterfat, eggs, liver and seafood, particularly shrimps and crabs.
Those are the five often-neglected essential vitamins. After reading these healthy eating facts, it’s time to ask yourself this question: “Am I really getting enough vitamins?”
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