Core Knowledge

Nutrition

Contents

Vitamins

Jim Brown May 7, 2009

Overview

Vitamins are essential for your body to work properly. These organic compounds, found in plants and animals, aid in growth, health and general well-being, as well as help prevent diseases and health problems. The body is unable to manufacture the majority of vitamins, so it's necessary to add them through diet or supplements. Some common vitamins include vitamin D (found in milk) for healthy bones, vitamin A (in carrots) for improved eyesight, vitamin C (in oranges) for healing wounds and vitamin B for protein and energy.

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Vitamin Types and Sources

Vitamins are classified as either water-soluble (folate, B-6, niacin, B-12, thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin C) or fat-soluble (vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K).

  • Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body and must be replaced each day.
  • Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in fat and potentially pose a serious health threat if an individual takes too much of a particular vitamin.

The best way to get all the necessary vitamins is to eat a variety of foods. The American Dietetic Association recommends food as the source of vitamins over vitamin supplements. But if you're not sure about getting an adequate intake of vitamins, a daily multivitamin/mineral supplement is generally safe and may ensure that you get what you need.

Water-Soluble Vitamins

  • Folate: Fruits, vegetables, fortified breads, cereals
  • B-6: Meats, whole wheat bread, pasta, vegetables, nuts
  • Niacin: Lean meats, poultry, fish, peanuts
  • B-12: Meat, eggs, dairy products
  • Thiamin: Fortified breads, fortified cereals
  • Riboflavin: Meats, dairy products, leafy green vegetables
  • Vitamin C: Fruits, vegetables

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

  • Vitamin A: Milk, eggs, vegetables, fruits 
  • Vitamin D: Milk, eggs, salmon, tuna
  • Vitamin E: Vegetable oils, leafy green vegetables, milk, eggs, nuts
  • Vitamin K: Leafy green vegetables, vegetable oils, wheat

Dietary Reference Intakes

The recommended vitamin intake varies greatly with age and gender. For example, men between the ages of 19 and 70 should get 90 milligrams of vitamin C daily, while the recommended vitamin C intake for women in the same age range is 75 milligrams daily. Reference the complete list of vitamins, minerals and their Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) to find out your daily needs.

Tips for Supplementing with Vitamins

  • Generic vitamins are just as effective as name-brands.
  • Look for a USP symbol. This means that the vitamin has been approved by the United States Pharmacopoeia and has been tested in laboratory conditions.
  • Make sure you're getting 100 percent of the recommended daily amount from the vitamins.
  • Take them with a meal, and take them at the same time each day.
  • If you're taking a multivitamin with iron, don't take calcium at the same time.

Tags: Health, Food, Supplements, Vitamins, Nutrients

References

  1. American Dietetic Association 
  2. Amanda Carlson, director of performance nutrition, Athletes' Performance
  3. Ann Litt, author, Fuel for Young Athletes
  4. Colorado State University Extension Service
  5. Nancy Clark, USTA Player Development, Vitamins, Minerals and Athletes
  6. Nancy Clark, author, Sports Nutrition Guidebook
  7. Rob Skinner, director of sports nutrition, University of Virginia
  8. Steve Tamborra, author, Complete Conditioning for Baseball

 

See Also

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