The human body needs 13 vitamins to function properly. All of these vitamins are found in the foods we eat. However, the quantities we receive of each in a regular diet are usually not sufficient. For this reason, millions of Americans take a multivitamin every day. When used properly, these multivitamins are a good way to meet the FDA's recommended amounts of each vitamin.
Purpose
Vitamins provide nutrients that the body needs to function properly. Each vitamin has a specific function within the body. Some vitamins fight diseases. Other vitamins strengthen vital systems of the body. People who have too little of a vitamin will develop a vitamin deficiency, which can cause severe health problems. For example, a person who has too little Vitamin D may develop rickets, while too little Vitamin A can cause night blindness.
Types
Vitamins are broken down into two specific categories: water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins. The water-soluble vitamins include biotin, folic acid, Vitamin C, niacin, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 and pantothenic acid. The body needs only water to break these vitamins down. Fat-soluble vitamins, which need fat to process the nutrients, include Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Vitamin D. The body stores fat-soluble vitamins for later use. However, water-soluble vitamins aren't stored. Instead, the kidneys flush any excess out as waste.
Regulation
The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 gave the Food and Drug Administration the duty to regulate all dietary supplements. This includes vitamins because they are meant to supplement nutrients provided by a regular diet. In 2007, the FDA instituted a new set of regulations that serves to ensure the quality and composition of vitamins. These regulations---the current Good Manufacturing Process, or cGMP for short---require that all vitamin manufacturers thoroughly evaluate all components of their vitamins.
Overdoses
Even though vitamins are necessary, it is still possible to get too much of a good thing. The signs of vitamin overdose depend on the specific vitamin. An upset stomach or kidney stones are signs of too much Vitamin C. Too much B6 causes nerve damage to the limbs, which may lead to numbness and pain. An overdose of Vitamin D may cause constipation, irregular heartbeat, weight loss or confusion. Anyone who thinks he overdosed on vitamins should seek medical help immediately.
Interactions
Vitamins affect the way certain drugs work. For example, people taking Coumadin, a blood thinner, must limit or eliminate the amount of Vitamin K they get. The interaction possibilities aren't limited only to prescription drugs, but they may also happen with herbal remedies and vitamins. One example is that black cohosh may interact with supplements containing Vitamin A. For this reason, always tell your health-care professional about any vitamin supplements when asked what medications you take on a regular basis.
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