Natural Vitamins

Vitamins are chemicals that help the body to function. With the exception of one of the vitamin K types, they have to come in from external sources because they are not manufactured by the body. Without vitamins, the body could not function. They are vital to health and essential to life. Vitamin deficiencies lead to all kinds of symptoms and illnesses, indications that the body isn't functioning properly. Vitamins can be fat soluble or water soluble. Fat soluble vitamins are stored by the body in the fatty cells or in the liver. This way when the body needs them it just uses what's in storage. The body does not expel the fat soluble vitamins so the chance of a build up is possible if they are ingested in excess. Water soluble vitamins are taken in by the body and circulated. The body uses what it requires and expels the rest. There is no chance of a build up.

Since vitamins are so essential to health and life, it is imperative that people eat well balanced meals so they take in all of the required vitamins in the necessary amounts. The Federal Drug Administrations publishes the daily requirements of vitamins and minerals. These are the amounts that people need to maintain health. Food items have labels that tell what percent of the minimum daily requirement their items ingredients are. If people look at the labels they can get an idea of how they are doing to ensure they have the daily requirements of the various vitamins. People who know they are not eating well balanced meals from each of the food groups might decide to supplement their diet with purchased vitamins, whether they need them or not. Not paying attention to how much of what they take, they may be taking in much more of the fat soluble vitamins than they need. Remember, the fat soluble vitamins are not expelled from the body. Some people who are into the health and fitness craze may do the same thing, thinking that the vitamins can't hurt them. Or others may think they have a vitamin deficiency because they feel run down. Whatever the reason, they put together their own basket of vitamins, mixing both water soluble and fat soluble. This approach may not lead to good health.

Vitamins are readily available at drugstores and vitamin specialty stores which came into being and became popular when the health and fitness craze began.