Dietary vitamins help our bodies mainly by acting as a substitute if there are not enough vitamins in the food we eat. First and foremost, a healthy diet consisting of foods high in vitamins is better than taking a supplement. Supplements are best for rounding out your vitamin intake, to ensure you are getting all that your body requires.
Each dietary supplement has a list of all the vitamins it contains and in what amounts. If a vitamin says its a good source of Vitamin A don't let this trick you, it only needs to contain a certain amount of Vitamin A, you may still need more.
For example it takes 12mg of vitamin C to earn an excellent source of label, but 12mg is less than your required daily intake. So make sure the vitamins you're buying contain enough of what your body needs, read the back of the label.
Supplements often make different claims, these are known as structure function claims. Which the FDA defines as the vitamin supplements effect on the body's function or structure. A example would be Vitamin E is a great antioxidant. These claims can also cover the effects of a supplement on your overall health.
It can be hard to find a good supplement. You have to decide whether you want only one vitamin or a multivitamin. With so many different vitamins having so many different functions its important to know what you need.
The first thing you should do before picking a dietary supplement is go to your doctor and have some test run to find out if you have any weak areas. Now you know which vitamins you need and can choose the right diet supplement. You don't want to overdose on vitamins, this can end up causing more harm than good.
If you're having trouble, consult a nutrition specialist, they can often put you on a great diet and even give you helpful tips for exercise programs too.
The key is to balance your dietary vitamins. You need to add a healthy diet to exercise, this will keep you feeling younger and stronger. Do this and you'll find yourself feeling better and happier because of it.
