The Role of Vitamins In Preventing Disease

Vitamins can help by preventing deficiency caused diseases for that specific vitamin. Second, there are health benefits to be gained from each vitamin. Vitamin A is a good example as it is important for good vision and plays a role in cell and bone growth. It helps prevent surface linings of the eyes, respiratory, urinary, and intestinal tracks from breaking down and allowing bacteria in to the body. Vitamin A works as a barrier to virus and diseases and helps regulate the immune system. The immune system makes white blood cells to fight off bacteria and infections.

Calcium is needed to build strong bones and teeth. You must get your calcium from what you eat daily because the body cannot make calcium. You can lose calcium by the daily process of bone break down to get the mineral. Bones are also continuously growing and remodeling. Small bits of bone are lost and new bone is formed to take its place. As we age, we lose more bone than is replaced. This can lead to osteoporosis. Women are especially prone to this condition after they experience menopause. Other things that can lead to osteoporosis are too little calcium while young, not enough exercise and decreasing hormone levels.

Many new and exciting discoveries have been made about the importance of B vitamins. Folic acid, one of the B vitamins is being associated with the ability to fight some forms of cancer. Folic acid is important for pregnant women because it has been proven to protect against birth defects, especially spina bifida. Most women who are of childbearing age are urged to take extra folic acid. Many foods are being fortified with this important vitamin including breads, flour, pastas, rice, cornmeal, and other grain products.

Folic acid is a good way to reduce the homocysteine levels in your body. High levels of homocysteine may be a bigger cause in heart and cardiovascular disease than cholesterol. Patients with clogged arteries are often found to have high levels of homocysteine in their bloodstream. This product has been linked to increased risks of heart attacks and strokes. Without enough folic acid the body doesn’t use B6 and B12 as it should and as homocysteine levels increase so does your risk of heart attack.

Folic acid plays a role in building DNA and people who have receive higher dosages of folic acid in their diet have a lower risk of breast and colon cancer.

If you have more than one alcoholic drink a day, folic acid plays a key role in canceling out the increase risk of breast cancer in women. Free radicals are introduced into our bodies and can damage the inside artery walls, damage DNA and affect many other tissues or body substance.

Taking a vitamin supplement may help reduce the risk of many diseases. Check the vitamin aisle at your local pharmacy or grocery store. Choose one that has a minimum of 100 percent of daily needs. They are not meant to replace food, so fill your diet with fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.