Vitamins Carotenoids and Phytochemicals What Are They?

Vitamins, although they may share a common chemistry, have different characteristics. All of them are necessary to good healthy and a normal metabolic system. Although our body needs these essential nutrients, are body is only capable of producing three of the vitamins we need. They are vitamins D, K, and one of the B vitamins, biotin. Vitamins themselves are not considered sources of energy but are chemical partners that work with the body’s metabolism to convert food to energy. They are chemical partners that aid in cell production, tissue repair and many other processes in our body.

Vitamins can be either water-soluble or fat-soluble vitamins. The body absorbs fat-soluble vitamins in the same way that fat is absorbed. Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E, and K. Unused fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and released slowly as the body needs them. The body normally uses water-soluble vitamins quickly and any excess is passed through the body through urination. Water-soluble vitamins include all the B complex vitamins and vitamin C.

Carotenoids consist of more than 700 compounds. They produce the colors of red, yellow and orange that are found in many fruits and vegetables. Vitamin A, also known as beta-carotene is the most widely talked about carotenoids but others are beginning to draw the interest of scientists, researchers, and medical professionals. Carotenoids are considered neither vitamins nor phytochemicals but have been proven to be an important part of our daily needs for good health. There is not currently a recommended daily allowance for beta-carotene or other carotenoids.

Phytochemicals is a term describing plant chemicals. There are hundreds of phytochemicals that are being studied and many are believed to have a major impact on our health. Phytochemicals are responsible for the brilliant colors that are found in many fruits and vegetables. These phytochemicals have been studied and may not be necessary to our body. Obviously vegetables and fruits are important to our physical and mental health and may because there is a balance between phytochemicals, carotenoids, vitamins, fibers, and minerals they contain. It is important to know there has not been any positive research to prove that phytochemicals that are sold in many health food stores are of any benefit to our health and welfare. Also, high concentrations of some of these chemicals may be toxic and behave like a drug. They are also thought to contribute to some cancer cell growths.

What we do know is; we need a healthy diet that gives us our essential nutrients in their natural form. If we are not getting the vitamins from our diet and natural foods, it is important that we take a good multivitamin supplement each day. There are guidelines we can use to find out the amount of vitamins needed for a healthy diet. Food and supplements are now listing the daily value. This is a percentage of the amount of a vitamin or nutrient the body needs in their daily diet. Check the label on your vitamin bottle to be sure you are getting the minimum recommended daily allowance.