You likely know someone who guzzles down numerous vitamin supplements with their morning coffee, but if you’ve never dipped your toe into the world of supplementation, then you’re likely pondering the big question: why?
There are many reasons to take vitamin supplements, but typically it boils down to providing the body with essential nutrients for optimal health.
Most people can receive the essential Vitamins and minerals through diet, but for others, it’s a little more challenging - maybe you’re vegetarian, vegan, or don’t like certain foods such as fish, eggs, or fruits.
We all need the right Vitamins and minerals to be healthy and function correctly. Too little of any given Vitamin may have dire side effects, including dry skin, apathy, fatigue, and perhaps even an increased risk of certain diseases.
This blog post will discuss more on vitamin supplements - the most popular types, how they work, and how to find which Vitamins are right for you.
How do vitamins work?
Vitamins must be obtained through diet - the body does not create these naturally except for vitamins D and K
If you’re deficient in a given vitamin, then choosing a supplement is a great way to ensure optimal health.
But how do they actually work?
There are two main types of vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins. Examples of fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, K, and E, whereas water-soluble vitamins include vitamins C and B.
Each vitamin has a role within the body, some of which include the maintenance of healthy teeth, bones, and gums, and others that are integral to proper immune system function.
Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body in the fatty tissue and liver for days, whereas water-soluble vitamins must be constantly replaced as these are lost through sweat, urine, and water excretion.
That’s why water-soluble vitamins, in particular, are taken in supplement form.
What are the most popular vitamin supplements?
Whether you shop online or visit your local pharmacy, there are endless vitamin options - they are quite literally everywhere.
But what are the most popular, and what do you actually need?
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B
These are the most popular and widely supplemented vitamins - keep reading to find out more about each, including their purpose and where to find them.
1. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is found in foods such as fatty fish - think tuna, salmon, and mackerel. You also obtain a different kind of vitamin D from the sun.
It’s likely no surprise then, that vitamin D is also one of the most popular vitamins in the western world, especially in countries where we see sunshine once or twice a year (or at least that’s what it feels like).
Vitamin D is responsible for building strong bones, limiting inflammation in the body, and may even play a contributing role to better regulating your mood and happiness, as found by a 2020 study.
Are you lacking Vitamin D? Try the DESEJR® Vitamin D supplement today.
2. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is found in a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, such as citrus fruit, oranges, strawberries, peppers and broccoli.
Vitamin C is involved in many of the body’s processes. Among others, vitamin C helps to protect the cells and maintain healthy skin, blood vessels, and bones. Also, vitamin C helps with wound healing, and when paired with Iron, it ensures a faster and greater mineral absorption.
3. Vitamin B
Vitamin B plays an essential role in cell health, metabolism, and function. In other words: it’s crucial to help prevent infection and disease and to improve overall health and well-being.
Foods that contain vitamin B are predominantly animal-product based, such as milk, cheese, eggs, and chicken. Often, those who don’t eat animal-based add a vitamin B supplement to their diet.
Are you lacking vitamin B? Try the DESEJR® Vitamin B supplement today.
What vitamin supplements should I take?
Knowing what vitamins to take can be challenging, especially with every supplement and health company telling you about the “next best thing.”
As a general rule of thumb: most people require additional vitamin D and vitamin B.
But we’d recommend assessing your diet first, seeing what foods you don’t eat, and if you may be deficient in certain vitamins - that’s a great place to start.
Shop the DESEJR® range of vitamins to unlock optimal health.
Frequently asked questions
As the topic of vitamins and supplements can be overwhelming, we’ve put together a short FAQ below to answer some of the most commonly asked questions:
