As an increasing population is becoming more conscious and is striving to maintain a healthy lifestyle, it’s important to highlight the significance of vitamins for your overall health and well-being. Vitamins play an integral role in keeping our bodies in good working condition. They facilitate several bodily functions such as digestion, boosting immunity, and keeping metabolism in good shape. Moreover, as we age and experience wear and tear in the body, vitamins support healthy aging.
There are 13 essential vitamins that your body needs to stay in top shape, but you may not need all of them daily. However, there are a few vitamins that are of immense significance to the body. Hence you should consume them daily. Here is a list of five vitamins that you should consume daily.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is one of the most important nutrients that your body needs as it helps maintain the health of your nerves and blood cells. Moreover, it also helps in the production of DNA. An adequate amount of vitamin B12 also helps prevent a certain type of anemia known as megaloblastic anemia that can leave you feeling weak and tired all day long.
The absorption of vitamin B12 in the human body is slightly complicated. Initially, the acid in your stomach separates the micronutrient from the source protein. Next, the separated vitamin B12 then combines with a protein produced by the stomach and is then absorbed by the body.
Vitamin B12 is abundantly present in animal-based protein sources, including poultry, meat, fish, and eggs. Hence people who strictly consume a vegetarian diet may be prone to vitamin B12 deficiency. Moreover, they can get an adequate amount of the vitamin through fortified soy milk and vitamin B12 supplements.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a critical micronutrient that you need to consume daily. It regulates the amount of calcium and phosphorous in your body, the two critical minerals for healthy bones and teeth. Moreover, vitamin D also keeps your muscles and heart healthy and plays a role in preventing certain cancers.
Unlike other vitamins you can get from your diet, the primary source of vitamin D is sunlight. But you can also find trace quantities of vitamin D in fortified breakfast cereals, fortified orange juice, eggs, dairy products, and a few fatty fish.
Unfortunately, with an urban lifestyle, there is limited exposure to sunlight that significantly increases the risk of vitamin D deficiency. Since food sources do not contain enough vitamin D, make sure you take your daily dose of sunlight to maintain vitamin D levels in your body integral for your bone and muscle health.
