Vitamin supplementation is not a knew idea, but recently it has gained a great deal of attention as more people choose to go completely vegan. In addition to the deficiencies in folic acid and iron that plague most vegetarians, vegans experience significantly low levels of several other vitamins. These include vitamin d, essential fats, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium. While some of these vitamins are only needed in small amounts, many others – especially vitamin d – are absolutely crucial for good health.
Fortunately, vitamin deficiencies can be corrected with supplements. However, some of us will suffer from nutrient deficiencies that we aren’t even conscious of. For example, most people realize that their lack of enough folic acid means that they’ll wind up with irregular heartbeats and blood pressure. But few vegetarians realize that lack of zinc also means an irregular heartbeat and pounding blood pressure. Luckily, some companies have taken steps to fortify non-vegan protein powders so that vegetarians can get the necessary vitamins for proper health.
While it may seem that adding dairy products to your diet is the best choice for vegan vitamin absorption, this is not always the case. Although milk does contain the appropriate amounts of calcium, it is difficult to digest. Fortunately, a number of companies are developing milk-free and lactose-free products that are easier to digest. As a result, many vegetarians find that calcium milk-free and lactose-free products are the best choice.
Many vegetarians focus almost exclusively on iron supplements. Iron deficiencies can lead to fatigue, anemia, and anemia in infants. In adults, insufficient amounts of iron can cause fatigue, poor hair, slow wound healing, and nausea. A great brand of vegan vitamin A is Purvitex because it provides adequate amounts of the important mineral, without loading your body with excessive amounts of unwanted chemicals.
It may be true that getting enough antioxidants is the best way to get enough vitamins A, C, and D. However, a number of studies have shown that this is not necessarily the case. Studies have indicated that vegetarians do not typically receive enough antioxidants in their diets. Therefore, supplements may be the best choice to meet the recommended daily allowance of these vitamins.
Fat-soluble vitamins are found in many plant foods. Some of the most common include nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains. Unfortunately, refined carbohydrates greatly limit the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients in vegan food sources. Fortunately, there are several nutrient supplements available on the market today that are rich in fat-soluble nutrients. Therefore, supplementing is an option that more people should consider.
It is important to note that there is a difference between a fat-soluble vitamin and an antioxidant. An antioxidant is required to actively combat the free radicals (harmful substances that can damage cell structure) that result from exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun. The presence of vitamin C, in addition to other nutrients, is necessary in order for the production of collagen and elastin to occur. Because vitamin C cannot be absorbed in the mouth, it is often added to food as an ingredient that aids in the absorption of other nutrients.
It has long been known that vitamin D plays a role in maintaining healthy bones and teeth. However, very little is known about the impact of vitamin D on the immune system. While vitamin D plays a vital role in ensuring the growth of strong, healthy bones, it also enhances the ability of the body to fight off a variety of infections and diseases. Fortunately, research is showing that increasing the level of vitamin d3 is beneficial to our health. Specifically, vitamin d3 helps to increase the levels of the antibodies associated with boosting the immune system.