Vitamins Are Better Naturally, Not As Pills

Vitamins play important roles in bodily functions such as metabolism, immunity and digestion. There are 13 essential vitamins, including vitamins A, C, D, E, and K and B vitamins such as riboflavin and folate. 

For the average consumer, vitamins are generally found on the shelves in the health section of your local grocery store or pharmacy. While those pill form vitamins are a nice supplement to a healthy diet, the human body is much better at digesting vitamins from their natural source, food. Essential vitamins can be found in the food that we put in our bodies every day.

Vitamin B1- This vitamin helps your body turn carbohydrates into energy and improves nervous system health. Vitamin B1 is best found in black beans, lentils, sunflower seeds, and tuna.

Vitamin B2- This vitamin helps with your complexion, and helps your body break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fat. Vitamin B2 is best found in lean meats, milk, green vegetables, and fortified cereals.

Vitamin B3- This vitamin helps maintain a healthy nervous system and helps improve digestion. Vitamin B3 is best found in proteins like tuna, turkey breast, halibut, and chicken breast.

Vitamin C- This vitamin boosts your immune system, reduces wrinkles, and protects your body from scurvy. Vitamin C is best found in fruits and vegetables. Citrus fruits, papaya, strawberries, mango, kiwi, broccoli, and peppers are wonderful sources of Vitamin C.

Potassium- Potassium keeps your heart beating, reduces the risk of many diseases, and helps your muscles function properly. Potassium is found in baked potatoes with skin, spinach, and bananas.

Vitamin D- This vitamin promotes bone health and makes your body better at using calcium. Vitamin D is found in fortified milk, eggs, and salmon. The sun is also a great source of Vitamin D. The sun is the most cost effective vitamin on the market.
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Consuming nutritious and vitamin rich food is an easy way to improve your health. Plus it tastes much better than a multi-vitamin pill.
A full list of vitamins and their nutritional values can be obtained by emailing bradley.averill@unl.edu.