We often hear about them, especially at this time of year. But what are vitamins for, and why are they so important?
On television, in newspapers, and on social media, vitamin supplements are constantly promoted as a treatment for a wide variety of problems: weakened immune systems, insomnia, depression, and difficulty concentrating…
But why are vitamins so essential for our bodies?

Life—mines.

The name speaks for itself: vitamins are essential for life.
Specifically, they are organic compounds that our bodies cannot synthesize on their own. This means that our bodies cannot produce enough of them to meet our daily needs. For this reason, the only way to get them into our bodies is through our diet (except for vitamin D, which, as we explained in this post, isproduced through exposure to UV rays).

Their role.

Vitamins act as true catalysts, helping us trigger certain important chemical processes within our bodies.
They play a protective role by counteracting free radicals and promoting the absorption of minerals essential for our skeletal system. They also serve a preventive function:they help eliminate toxic substances and boost the immune system. Furthermore, they are crucial for energy metabolism and for the normal expression of our cells’ genetic material.

Our allies.

There are 13 vitamins, divided into two main groups:
– fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K, F), which can be stored by the liver or in adipose tissue;
– water-soluble vitamins (B, C, H, M, PP), which are immediately absorbed by the body.
This classification is very important because it helps us understand which vitamins we need to consume in greater quantities.

Hypovitaminosis (or vitamin deficiency) can manifest through various symptoms, since each vitamin performs a specific function within our body. For example, vitamin C is found mainly in fresh fruits and vegetables. However, it is a water-soluble vitamin , and its active components are completely destroyed during cooking. A deficiency of this vitamin, for instance, increases our risk of infections, muscle pain, and fatigue.

That's why it's always important to follow a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables, both cooked and raw.

And here's what vitamins are for.