Vitamins:  Are They Essential? 

It is a fact that vitamins are essential to excellent health. In a perfect world we’d get all the necessary vitamins straight from the food we consume each day. However, because this isn’t true for many of us.  There are many persuasive reasons for using vitamin supplements.

Vitamins can help us surmount our lifestyle problems. Overall, we tend not to be very responsible when it comes to healthy habits. Many people choose unhealthy habits such as smoking cigarettes, drinking too much alcohol and living or working in stifling air-conditioned homes or offices without ever considering the harm that they unknowingly invite into their lives. By taking vitamin C daily, some of these negative effects may be counterbalanced.

Women particularly have specific vitamin needs related to both osteoporosis and pregnancy issues. Men can also have osteoporosis although, it tends to affect women more and cause them greater distress. By taking a calcium supplement on a daily basis, much of the risk for osteoporosis can be conquered. For pregnant women and those considering having children, folic acid is an essential supplement. This form of B vitamin can prevent birth defects such as Spina Bifida.

Men have unique issues as well that can be fought through proper vitamin intake. Vitamin E supplements are known to assist in curbing cardiovascular problems. They are considered to play a crucial role in keeping blood pressure and cholesterol levels low in most males forty years old and over. Keeping the arteries clean is an important factor in preventing heart attacks and vitamin E has been proven in research studies to achieve this task.

Dieters have special supplementation needs of their own. Many young girls diet on a regular basis and consume far to few calories to fit their vitamin needs. While the wisdom of going on particular weight loss diets is a topic for another discussion, anyone on such a diet should depend on vitamin supplements to avoid malnutrition and other maladies. Inadequate nutrition and vitamin supplementation can cause a person to compromise their immune system and become susceptible to various ailments.

Another reason to consider vitamin supplementation is the potential cancer prevention some vitamins are reported to provide. Research has recommended that vitamin E and vitamin A prevent skin cancer. Many studies in recent years have found that other types of cancers can be similarly prevented by taking certain vitamins.

While it may take some research to create an effective plan when it comes to vitamin supplementation, there is compelling evidence that risk can be reduced and conditions can be improved through vitamin supplementation. Due to all of the possible benefits, vitamin supplements are definitely worth considering.

• Low Vitamin D Tied To Depression In Older Adults HealthDay

  FRIDAY, May 16 HealthDay News Low levels of vitamin D and high levels of a hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands may increase the risk of depression in older adults, according to a new report.

• Vitamin D May Help Curb Breast Cancer, Study Finds Washington Post

  Breast cancer patients with low levels of vitamin D were much more likely to die of the disease or have it spread than patients getting enough of the nutrient, a study found adding to evidence the “sunshine vitamin” has anticancer benefits. The results are sure to renew arguments about whet…

• Vitamin D, Breast Cancer Risk Illuminated Again HealthCentral.com

  A new report casts some light on a link between Vitamin D levels and breast cancer progression. Low blood levels of D were linked to nearly the double the risk of breast cancer occurence and a 73 percent greater chance of death.

• Low Vitamin D Linked To Breast Cancer USA Today

  Breast cancer patients with low levels of vitamin D were much more likely to die of the disease or have it spread than patients getting enough of the nutrient, a study found adding to evidence the “sunshine vitamin” has anticancer benefits.

• Vitamin D Use Linked To Lower Mortality In Kidney Patients HealthDay

  FRIDAY, May 16 HealthDay News Taking activated vitamin D may cut the risk of death for people with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease by about one quarter, a new study suggests.

• Vitamin D May Help Curb Breast Cancer, Study Finds AP

  Breast cancer patients with low levels of vitamin D were much more likely to die of the disease or have it spread than patients getting enough of the nutrient, a study found adding to evidence the “sunshine vitamin” has anticancer benefits. The results are sure to renew arguments about whether a little more sunshine is a good thing.

• Low Levels Of Vitamin D Spell Trouble For Breast Cancer Patients HealthDay

  FRIDAY, May 16 HealthDay News Women with breast cancer who have a vitamin D deficiency at the time of diagnosis are more likely to have a recurrence or to die from their disease, a new study shows.

• Nutrition Wise: Dairy And Vitamin D, Steelcut Oats, Diverticulosis Kansas City InfoZine

  By Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN Q: Ive noticed that milk is cited as a primary source of vitamin D. Is this true of other dairy products too? Q: Why are patients with diverticulosis advised to eat more fiber but avoid nuts and seeds? Q: Is steelcut oatmeal more nutritious than other varieties?

• Vitamin D Deficiency Linked To Breast Cancer In New Study AFP

  Women deficient in vitamin D at the time of a breast cancer diagnosis are more likely to die or see the tumor spread, a Canadian study published in the United States has shown.

• Low Vitamin D Tied To Depression In Older Adults HealthCentral.com

  Copyright 2008 ScoutNews LLC. All rights reserved. FRIDAY, May 16 HealthDay News Low levels of vitamin D and high levels of a hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands may increase the risk of depression in older adults, according to a new report.