Tuesday, May 29, 2007

The Best Sources of Natural Vitamins

There are a number of essential vitamins that the body requires in order to function properly. While it is possible to take these in the form of a vitamin supplement, it is always preferable to get your vitamins from a balanced diet. For the majority of people it should be possible to obtain much of their recommended daily allowance of vitamins from natural vitamin sources.

A health professional or dietary technician is the best person to give advice on any vitamin supplement that a person should take. This is because there are some vitamins that can be toxic if too much is consumed and thus may not be appropriate. The key, again, is to eat a healthy and balanced diet.

There are certain diets, such as vegetarian, that provide a limited number of natural vitamin supplements and therefore a supplement may become necessary. Also, the intake required of these natural vitamin sources at certain times may need to be increased and a supplement may be the best option. Examples include pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood.

It is important to be aware of each of the different types of vitamins and their best natural vitamin sources so that a person can incorporate as many of these as possible into their regular diet. Water soluble vitamins cannot be stored in the body and need to be replenished on a daily basis. Fat soluble vitamins are those that are stored in our body’s fat reserves and are the most likely to reach toxic levels if over-supplemented.

Natural sources of Vitamins

Vitamin B1 sources are brewer’s yeast, whole grains, blackstrap molasses, brown rice, organ meats, egg yolk

Vitamin B2 sources are brewer’s yeast, whole grains, legumes, nuts, organ meats, blackstrap molasses

Vitamin B3 sources are lean meats, poultry & fish, brewer’s yeast, peanuts, milk, rice bran, potatoes

Vitamin B4 sources are egg yolks, organ meats, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, soybeans, fish, legumes

Vitamin B5 sources are organ meats, egg yolks, legumes, whole grains, wheat germ, salmon, brewer’s yeast

Vitamin B6 sources are meats, whole grains, organ meats brewer’s yeast, blackstrap molasses, wheat germ

Vitamin B7 sources are egg yolks, liver, unpolished rice, brewer’s yeast, sardines, legumes, whole grains

Vitamin B8 sources are who1e grains, citrus fruits, molasses, meat, milk, nuts, vegetables, brewer’s yeast

Vitamin B9 sources are dark-green leafy vegetables, organ meats, root vegetables, oysters, salmon, milk

Vitamin B12 sources are organ meats, fish, pork, eggs, cheese, milk, lamb, bananas, kelp, peanuts

Vitamin B13 sources are root vegetables, liquid whey

Vitamin B15 sources are brewer’s yeast, rare steaks, brown rice, sunflower, pumpkin & sesame seeds

Vitamin B17 sources are whole kernels of apricots, apples, cherries, peaches, plums

Vitamin C sources are citrus, cabbage family, chilli peppers, berries, melons, asparagus, rose hips

Vitamin A sources are milk, eggs, butter, yellow fruits & vegetables, dark green fruits & vegetables, liver

Vitamin D sources are salmon, sardines, herring, milk, egg yolk, organ meats, sprouted seeds, sunflower seeds

Vitamin E sources are cold-pressed oils, eggs, wheat germ, organ meats, molasses, sweet potatoes, nuts

Vitamin K sources are green leafy vegetables, egg yolks, safflower oil, blackstrap molasses, cauliflower

Vitamin F sources are vegetable oils, butter, sunflower seeds

Vitamin Q sources are pinto beans, legumes, soybeans

Vitamin T sources are sesame seeds, raw seeds, butter, egg yolk

Vitamin V sources are raw cabbage, sauerkraut, leafy vegetables

As stated above, the best source of vitamins is to eat a balanced diet daily. If you can't, though, make sure that any supplement that you take contains the minimum recommended requirements for health. Also choose a reputable brand of supplements. Here's to your health!