In 2023, there is endless information (and misinformation) out there online, trying to confuse us and manipulate us into buying the vast array of health products on the market.
Having a firm understanding of nutrition will help you navigate the advertisements and social media posts you see on a constant basis.
One of the hottest topics in the health sphere is, of course, our vitamin intake. But on a basic level, what are they, why do we need them, and where do they come from? Here is everything you need to know.
What Are Vitamins?
First of all, vitamins are compounds that our bodies need (in small amounts) to be able to function well. They play a role in all your body’s processes – digestion, cell growth, and immunity!
Most of the vitamins we need come from whole foods, so if you’re eating a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you’re probably getting in at least some of your daily requirements.
Assessing Your Vitamin Intake
Now that you’re clued up on the basics, you might be considering whether or not you’re meeting those daily requirements. There are a few different ways of understanding this.
If you have serious concerns, you could have bloodwork done to assess whether you have any deficiencies. A visit to your general practitioner for a check-up and some blood work is a good idea to do on a regular basis anyway – click here to find out more about this.
Different people will have different requirements based on their age, gender, height, weight, etc., but it’s not critical for you to focus on this in too much detail. You simply need to focus on taking good care of your health.
How Can We Get More?
Instead of fretting about complicated issues, focus on reaching your daily vitamin requirements through a varied and balanced whole-food diet. A diverse range of fruits, vegetables, grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats will provide you with everything you need.
If you’re not sure where to start, try adding some vitamin-boosting recipes to your menu a few times a week. Try to cook with an array of different ingredients to ensure diversity in the vitamins you’re taking.
Of course, you can also look into supplementing with a daily vitamin if you find that you’re deficient in a specific vitamin and struggling to increase your intake naturally, but consult with your doctor first and ask for recommendations based on your specific needs.
The Deal on Vitamin D
When it comes to vitamin D, it’s important that you actually spend some time outdoors to get a bit of sun exposure. This is a vitamin that our bodies produce naturally when exposed to sunlight, which means that a lot of people in modern times are deficient.
You can supplement vitamin D but try to get it naturally, too. Only 15 minutes of sunlight on your face, arms, or legs each day will be beneficial.