Diet and dietary supplements – are they worth it and when should they be used?

Vitamins and minerals play a very important role in our diet. They ensure the proper functioning of the body and have a beneficial effect on our health. However, the human body is not able to produce them on its own, so it is important to ensure their regular supply to the body. It is important that vitamins and minerals are included in our daily diet or, if this is not possible, that they are supplemented appropriately.

Vitamins and minerals – what you need to know about them

Vitamins are organic compounds that enter the body in small amounts. They are essential for the proper functioning of the body. They can be of both natural and synthetic origin. We should obtain them from food, but if their levels in the body are insufficient, it is possible to supplement them. Vitamins are divided into two types:

• fat-soluble vitamins (i.e. vitamins A, E, D, K),
• water-soluble vitamins (i.e. vitamins C, B).

Each vitamin plays a very important role in the human body. Vitamin D, known as the sunshine vitamin, regulates the storage of phosphorus and calcium in the bones. However, due to Poland's geographical location, all its inhabitants should supplement vitamin D. Vitamin K is responsible for proper blood clotting, and vitamin E affects muscle metabolism. The last fat-soluble vitamin is vitamin A, which is responsible for vision. Vitamin C, which is water-soluble, supports the immune system. Vitamin B is worth discussing in more detail, as it is divided into as many as 8 types, which are:

• vitamin B1 (thiamine),
• vitamin B2 (riboflavin),
• vitamin B3 (niacin, vitamin PP),
• vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid),
• vitamin B6,
• vitamin B7 (vitamin H),
• vitamin B9 (folic acid),
• vitamin B12.

Minerals, on the other hand, belong to the group of salts. They can be divided into macroelements and microelements. Their deficiency in the diet can cause various types of disorders in the body. Macroelements are responsible for bones, hair and skin, while microelements regulate all processes occurring in cells.

What vitamins should be included in our diet?

All vitamins play an important role in our body, which is why they should all be included in our diet. However, it is natural that we consume more of some vitamins and should pay more attention to others. Winter is a time when the amount of vitamins in our diet is lower due to the smaller selection of fresh, natural vegetables and fruit. In addition, the winter sun does not provide the necessary amount of vitamin D. However, it is not difficult to supplement vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Before reaching for dietary supplements, we should check whether our diet is sufficiently rich and provides all the vitamins we need.