Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in every cell of the body. It is essential for the production of hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help digest food. The body produces all the cholesterol it needs, but it can also be obtained from animal sources such as egg yolks, meat, and cheese. Vitamins are organic compounds that people need in small amounts.
Most vitamins must come from food because the body doesn't produce them or produces very little. This is especially true for vitamin B12, which must be supplemented regularly to reach the recommended daily value. A 2002 review found that vitamin deficiencies are often linked to chronic diseases, and supplementation can help. This article focuses on vitamins that are believed to be related to chronic diseases. It is important to note that taking very high doses of many supplements, particularly vitamins A, D, C and B6, can cause serious health problems if done regularly.
Additionally, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) II likely underestimated vitamin E intake due to the dietary nutrient database used, which mainly took into account α-tocopherol. The German Nutrition Society and the national network “Gesund ins Leben” (Network of Young Families with a Healthy Start) advise against a vegan diet for pregnant and breastfeeding women (10, 30).Alcoholism is likely the root cause of most cases of multivitamin deficiency in the United States. Vitamin D's main purpose is to increase calcium levels in the body and thus increase calcium absorption into bones. The problem with most studies on vitamin C as a cancer-preventive agent is that foods rich in vitamin C also contain other nutrients (fiber, vitamin A and vitamin E), which may have a protective effect as well.
Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb used to treat many ailments, from stress and anxiety to blood sugar levels. However, study after study has failed to find any connection between the amount of vitamin E people consume and their risk of cancer. Having too little of a particular vitamin can increase the risk of developing certain health problems. In some cases, taking a daily supplement may not be necessary; for many people, consuming a multivitamin or multimineral once every 2 or 3 days can be an economical option. Vegetarians who consume dairy products and eggs can still maintain a balanced diet; however, if all animal foods are avoided, as is the case in a vegan diet, it may not be possible to meet all vitamin requirements solely through food sources not fortified with vitamins. In countries with little sunlight or where people dress in a way that reduces exposure to sunlight, there is a higher incidence of osteomalacia and rickets than in places where people get plenty of sunlight (or vitamin D from food).
