| Taken alone or combined with other vitamins in a | | | | supplements as ascorbic acid, calcium ascorbate or |
| multi-vitamin product, these vitamin supplements can | | | | ascorbyl palmitate. |
| help you regulate your body functions and achieve | | | | The B Vitamins |
| health. If you must stock up your medicine cabinet with | | | | This group is composed of eight B vitamins which are |
| the best vitamin supplements, make sure you have | | | | very important sources of nutrients, especially for |
| these: | | | | vegetarians, who miss out on B vitamins found in |
| Vitamins A, D, E & K. | | | | meats and poultry. Some of the benefits you can get |
| These vitamins are fat-soluble and can only be | | | | from B vitamins include: |
| absorbed by the body using fats from food. When | | | | Prevention of heart disease and memory loss |
| taken in the right dosage, these vitamins contribute to | | | | courtesy of B6, taken as pyridoxine hydrochloride in |
| many of the body's metabolic processes and | | | | supplement form. B6 also helps promote the |
| Vitamins A and E, for example, along with Vitamin C | | | | production of hormones and important brain chemicals. |
| are known as antioxidants. They help prevent cell the | | | | Folic acid, also a B vitamin, is often recommended for |
| negative effects caused by free radicals. Free radicals | | | | pregnant women because it regulates cell growth, |
| have been implicated for causing cell damage and | | | | helps prevent pre-term delivery and birth defects. It |
| even increase the risk of cancer. | | | | also helps reduce the risk of hypertension, Alzheimer's |
| Vitamin A and beta-carotene helps maintain healthy | | | | disease, cancer, depression and memory loss. |
| cells and tissues, protects eyesight and boosts | | | | Vitamin B12, taken as cobalamin or cyanocobalamin, is |
| immunity. The best Vitamin A supplements usually | | | | an important source of nutrients that fight heart |
| contain retinyl palmitate or retinyl acetate and a smaller | | | | disease, anemia and memory loss. It helps regulate |
| percentage of beta-carotene. | | | | brain function. Thiamine or B1, helps turn carbohydrates |
| Vitamin E | | | | into sugar glucose and helps regulate the nervous |
| This is more known as the skin vitamin because it | | | | system. Riboflavin or B2 also functions in the same |
| counteracts cell aging. It also reduces the risk of heart | | | | way and are important for maintaining good skin health. |
| disease, memory loss and cancer. Vitamin E comes in | | | | Niacin or B3 prevents pellagra, which causes diarrhea |
| two forms: the natural D-alpha tocopheryl and the | | | | and dermatitis and can lead to mental illness. |
| synthetic version. The best vitamin E supplement is the | | | | Pantothenic acid and biotin helps break down lipids, |
| natural form because it is easier to absorb. | | | | amino acids and carbohydrates. These two B vitamins |
| Vitamin K | | | | help prevent dermatitis, a scaly skin disorder. |
| Vitamin K, like Vitamin E, helps reduce the risk of a | | | | How to use vitamin supplements |
| heart disease. It is also effective in boosting bone | | | | Some vitamins, particularly fat-soluble vitamins, can |
| growth and helps the blood to clot properly. Take the | | | | have harmful effects when taken in huge amounts. To |
| Vitamin K1, phylloquinone or simply Vitamin K. | | | | make sure you don't overdose and still meet all your |
| Vitamin C | | | | nutritional needs, make sure to take only moderate |
| Each time you had a cold, your doctor probably | | | | doses of multi-vitamins and other mineral supplements. |
| recommended you take Vitamin C in high doses. | | | | Refer to the recommended daily allowance and find |
| That's because Vitamin C is not only an antioxidant, it is | | | | out how much of each vitamin meets 100% of the |
| also a strong immunity booster. And you don't have to | | | | daily dose. Once you meet this, you're okay. Don't take |
| worry about overdosing on it because it is | | | | more than the recommended daily dose if you're |
| water-soluble. It also helps promote fast healing of | | | | healthy and have no health problems. Take more than |
| wounds and scars and helps maintain good skin. | | | | the daily dose if recommended by your physician or if |
| Vitamin C is also known to reduce the risk of heart | | | | you're deficient. |
| disease, sun damage and cancer. Take Vitamin C | | | | |