We hear about them a lot, especially at this time of year. But what are vitamins good for and why are they so important?
On television, in the newspapers, and on social media, vitamin supplements are constantly promoted to treat a wide variety of problems: immune deficiencies, insomnia, depression, declines in attention, etc.
But why are vitamins so vital to our bodies?
Vita- mine.
The name speaks for itself; vitamins are essential for life.
Specifically, they are organic compounds that our bodies are unable to synthesize on their own. This means that our bodies are unable to produce enough of them for our daily needs. Therefore, the only way to introduce them into our bodies is through food (except for vitamin D, which, as we told you in this post, is produced through UV exposure).
Their role.
Vitamins act as true catalysts, helping us to trigger some important chemical processes within our bodies.
They have a plastic function, as they counteract free radicals and promote the absorption of minerals important for our skeleton. They take on a preventive function: they participate in the elimination of toxic substances and boost immune defenses. But they are also very important for energy metabolism and for the normal expression of the genetic makeup of our cells.
Our allies.
There are 13 vitamins and they are divided into two main macrogroups:
- fat-soluble ones (A, D, E, K, F), which can be stored by the liver or fat tissues;
- water-soluble ones (B, C, H, M, PP), which, on the other hand, are immediately absorbed by our body.
This division is very important, because it allows us to understand which vitamins need to be taken more consistently.
Hypovitaminosis (i.e., vitamin deficiency) can manifest itself through different symptoms, as each vitamin takes on a specific function within our bodies. For example, Vitamin C is found mostly in fresh vegetables and fruits. But it is a water-soluble vitamin, and its active ingredients are completely eliminated during cooking. Deficiency of this vitamin, for example, exposes us to an increased likelihood of infections, muscle aches and fatigue.
Therefore, it is always important to eat a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables, both cooked and raw.
And here's what the vitamins are for.