As you may know there are a lot of different vitamins.
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This article has a lot of the vitamin information that you need.
A, all the different B vitamin variants, down to C, D and E. Find out what they are and what do they do for you!
Vitamins are molecules that your body needs in small amounts that keep it working properly. You can take supplements for vitamins, but with regular exercise outside and a varied and balanced diet, you should get your recommended daily intake anyways.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A can be found in fish, eggs and cheese among other things, and is one of the more commonly found vitamins.
Vitamin A helps your eyes in dim light, helps your immune system keep working properly, and it also keeps your skin healthy.
Thiamin (vitamin B1)
B1 keeps the nervous system healthy, along with helping the body break down food and release energy.
Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
B2 helps release energy from food and keeps skin looking and feeling healthy.
Niacin (vitamin B3)
B3 helps release energy from the body, and keeps skin healthy. It also assists the nervous system in working properly.
Pantothenic acid
As this vitamin can’t be stored in the body, you need it everyday. It helps the body to release energy from food.
Vitamin B6
It helps the body form haemoglobin, which is found in red blood cells and helps transport oxygen around the body. It also helps break down proteins and carbs and convert them into energy.
Biotin (vitamin B7)
Biotin helps make fatty acids in the body. Studies suggest that bacteria which live naturally in your bowel are able to make biotin, so it’s not clear if you need to take in any extra. It’s only found in trace amounts in food anyways.
Folate and folic acid
This vitamin is found in many foods, and is also known as B9. It helps create healthy red blood cells and reduces the chance of birth defects in children.
Vitamin B12
B12 helps make red blood cells and assists the the nervous system in staying healthy. On top of this, it helps release energy from food and helps the body use folate.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is found in a lot of foods, most notably, oranges. It’s also found in veg such as bell peppers and potatoes.
A lack of this vitamin can lead to scurvy, and it has many important functions such as helping to protect cells and keeping them healthy, maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage and helping with wound healing.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D can be consumed and also being outside can increase your vitamin D intake. It helps regulate calcium and phosphates in the body, and is responsible for keeping bones muscles and teeth healthy. Oily fish and egg yolk is a good source of this vitamin.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E helps strengthen and maintain the bodies immune system. It can be found in nuts and plant oils.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is important for blood clotting, and there is research to suggest that it also helps keep your bones healthy.
Green leafy vegetables are a good source of Vitamin K. Vegetable oil is also a good source.
If you want to learn more about vitamins and minerals, check out the NHS website. It’s important to find out how much you need every day, and how much is too much so it’s important you look at it!
We’re not medical experts at Five Minutes Spare so make sure you do your own research before taking any supplements or making any lifestyle changes at all!
