
The Essential Vitamins An Adult Body Needs To Function Properly
Maintaining a healthy diet is vital for everyone, but it’s especially crucial for adults. The food you eat provides your body with the essential vitamins to function correctly. Here are some of the vital vitamins an adult body needs:
1. Vitamin A
First on the list of essential vitamins for adults is vitamin A. This fat-soluble vitamin is vital for maintaining good vision, a healthy immune system, and reproductive health.
Vitamin A can be sourced from both animal and plant-based foods. Some good sources of vitamin A include liver, carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, and spinach.
2. B-Vitamins
There are several different B vitamins, and each one is important for various reasons. Collectively, they help your body convert food into energy. Some of the essential B Complex Vitamins include vitamin B12, which is crucial for maintaining nerve health, and vitamin B-Complex, which helps keep your metabolism functioning properly. Foods that are high in B complex vitamins include eggs, meat, poultry, whole grains, and legumes.
Also, high-quality multivitamin supplements can help make up for any deficiencies in your diet.
3. Vitamin C
Another vital vitamin for adults is vitamin C. This water-soluble vitamin is essential for healthy skin, teeth, and bones. It also helps the body form collagen, which is necessary for wound healing. Vitamin C can be found in some fruits and vegetables, including oranges, grapefruit, bell peppers, broccoli, and strawberries.
4. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption necessary for maintaining healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D also supports the immune system and may play a role in preventing cancer. You can get vitamin D from basking under the sun, fatty fish, fortified milk, or supplements.
Dark-skinned people are at greater risk of not getting enough vitamin D because they need more sun exposure to make enough vitamin D. Older adults are also at increased risk for deficiency since their skin doesn’t produce as much vitamin D in response to sunlight.
If you have a deficiency, talk to your doctor about getting your levels tested. If you do need some supplements, choose one that contains vitamin D-200 to 600 international units (IU) per day is recommended.
5. Vitamin E
It’s every person’s wish to have smooth and young-looking skin. This is where Vitamin E comes in. It helps improve skin complexion and delays wrinkles. Therefore, if you want to maintain a healthy and radiant look, ensure you’re getting enough of this vitamin.
So, where can you source vitamin E? From the food you eat, of course! Make sure to include nuts, seeds, avocado, and olives in your diet.
6. Folic Acid
This vitamin is vital for pregnant women to ensure a healthy pregnancy. It’s also crucial for maintaining a healthy immune system. Also known as folate, this vitamin is found in leafy green vegetables, legumes, and fortified foods. Besides a nutritious diet, a multivitamin supplement can help ensure you’re getting enough folic acid.
It’s essential to eat various healthy foods to get all the vital vitamins your body needs. If you’re not getting the needed vitamins from your diet, consider taking a high-quality multivitamin supplement. You can make sure your body has everything it needs to stay healthy and function properly with a little effort. You can talk to your doctor if you have any questions about which vitamins are right for you.