Most people should get all the nutrients they need by having a varied and balanced diet, although some people may need to take extra supplements.
Are You Getting What You Need?
Eating a healthy diet remains the best way to get sufficient amounts of the vitamins and minerals you need.
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What Are Vitamins?
A vitamin is an organic compound, which means that it contains carbon. It is also an essential nutrient that the body may need to get from food.
There are currently 13 recognized vitamins.
Fat-Soluble And Water-Soluble Vitamins
Vitamins are either soluble, or dissolvable, in fat or water. Dietary fats help the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins through the intestinal tract.
Water-soluble vitamins Water-soluble vitamins do not stay in the body for long and cannot be stored. They leave the body via the urine. Vitamin supplements Many people in the United States take multivitamins and other supplements, though these may not be necessary or helpful, according to research .
Fortified foods and supplements may be appropriate in some cases, however, such as during pregnancy, for people with restricted diets, and for people with specific health issues. Also, some medications can interact with vitamin supplements.