Vitamins are an essential part of the way our bodies function and care for themselves. With a perfect diet you will rarely need vitamins. But if there are some health foods you simply won't eat, it may help to take some vitamins. It is important to pay attention to the vitamin content of the foods you eat if you take vitamins, as getting too much of anything can be unhealthy. Getting an adequate amount of nutrients, such as vitamins, is vital for your body to function at peak levels.

Vitamins are one of those things we will typically have taken care of for us if we eat a variety of foods in their most naturally edible forms. But most of us tend to eat the same basic foods over and over again, coming up short of some of our bodies' vitamin needs. To make up for these needs, you can purchase vitamin supplements in a variety of forms, from liquids to powders to pills to shots. Vitamins are so popular today that you can buy a multivitamin at just about every supermarket, department store, or drug store. It is generally a good idea to consult with your doctor before adding any sorts of supplements to your diet. It is particularly important to consult with your doctor if you are on any medications or have any medical conditions.

Vitamins help out in nearly every bodily process. For example, many people don't know that vitamins can help the body deal with stress. Vitamins may also be useful in controlling weight. Vitamins haven't been shown to reduce cold or flu symptoms, but they may help prevent from getting as many colds and flus. If you want to know more about vitamins, there are few people that know more about vitamins than the pharmacist. Take your list of current supplements and medications with you, as a pharmacist may be able to point out things you may be considering taking that will react to each other.

Some of the popular vitamin supplements are A, B1, B6, B12, D, E, and K. B1 isn't talked about much by itself, but it is used by your body to maintain heart health and the health of your nervous system. In fact, it is also associated with bodily energy levels and having an upbeat attitude. B1 is also associated with maintaining healthy mucous membranes.

The most popular vitamin is probably Vitamin C. While it hasn't been shown to help a cold when you already have a cold, eating a diet with plenty of Vitamin C in it has been shown to be beneficial to immune function.

Vitamin E is a controversial vitamin. While taking Vitamin E supplements is associated with shorter lifespans, getting Vitamin E may be the most important of all vitamins as a part of a healthy diet. Vitamin E helps keep oxygen levels higher in the blood and reduce your heart's need for oxygen. Vitamin E is also associated with aging more slowly. Vitamin E also helps the blood as an anticoagulant assistant.

In many cases people suffer for years with fatigue only to discover that just eating a healthier diet with more vitamins in it will resolve the problem. You may also experience more muscle soreness if you have a vitamin deficiency. Insomnia can result from a lack of nutrients, including those obtained or constructed by the body from sun exposure. If you live in a low-sunlight area, you may need some melatonin, for example.

To resolve the symptoms of vitamin deficiency, you may want to consult with your doctor or a nutritionist. Start with a healthy diet. For example, eat at least 9 servings of various fruits and/or vegetables every day. Avoid white breads and instead eat whole grain breads and whole grain cereals. Eat a handful of mixed nuts each day. Make sure you get some Omega 3 fatty acids each day. Your physician should be able to then do tests to see if you are still lacking any vitamins.