It may seem difficult at first, but it’s well worth the effort. There are many reasons why your health will benefit from eating a balanced diet that includes vitamins and minerals. This post is all about the benefits of taking a vitamin supplements.
Benefits of including vitamins in your diet
1. Your bones
Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and a healthy immune system. A study done by the University of Maryland Medical Center found that supplementing with vitamin D increases BMD (bone mineral density) while decreasing risk of fractures. Another study showed that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, but low in calcium and vitamin D increased the risk of hip fractures by 80% and prescription drugs were necessary for many women to prevent these fractures.
2. Your heart
Vitamins A and D are known to prevent heart disease. The National Center for Health Statistics found that our life expectancy has increased significantly, but the rate of death from heart disease has remained steady.
The vitamin A present in carrots, broccoli, and sweet potato has been shown to reduce the risk of death from coronary artery disease by 60%. A low serum vitamin D status is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events and different studies have shown that higher vitamin D concentrations are correlated with a lower risk of developing this condition.
3. Your brain
One vitamin in particular is known to improve memory, reduce depression and anxiety, and slow the onset of Alzheimer’s. The vitamin I’m referring to is called “B12”. B12 is required for the normal development of the brain and nervous system. A study in JAMA (Journal of American Medical Association) found that Alzheimer’s patients who were deficient in this vitamin showed a four-fold more rapid rate of cognitive decline compared to subjects with normal levels of B12. Another study found that a supplement of B12 improved memory function in the elderly.
4. Your skin
A deficiency in a variety of vitamins and minerals can inhibit your skin from its natural ability to protect itself from the sun. A study done by the Food Standards Agency found that skin deficient in vitamin D was three times as likely to burn compared to skin which had optimal levels of vitamin D.