Vitamin and nutrient facts -- an essential dose for you
MYTH #1
Vitamin supplements give you energy
Fact: They do not supply you with calories; thus, they do not supply you with energy. A well-balanced, healthy diet containing foods from all the major good groups will provide you with a good supply of vitamins and minerals and help sustain energy levels.
MYTH #2
Vitamin C prevents colds
Fact: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin. Mahor dietary sources of Vitmain C include citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, green peppers and other green and yellow vegetables. It's known as one of the most important vitamins and helps absorb other nutrients. Many people believe that it does help prevent colds, but research fails to support this statement.
MYTH #3
Vitamin supplements make up for poor diets
Fact: Supplements make a poor diet less poor, but do not make up for vital and natural nutrients of a healthy diet. Supplements do supply some minerals, but not all the nutritive components that food supplies. A varied and balanced eating pattern is the ultimate way to obtain the vitamins and minerals needed by the body.
MYTH #4
Vitamin A enhances your complexion
Fact: Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. Major dietary sources of Vitamin A include liver, egg yolk, fortified milk, cream and cheese. It does help in the formation and maintenance of healthy skin and hair. It also promotes proper bone growth and tooth development, and is needed to maintain good vision. Insufficient Vitamin A may cause night blindness. Do you need more information to prove its importance?
MYTH #5
Taking extra vitamins is harmlessFact: No, this is false. Some vitamins are fat-soluble (Vitamin A and D) and are toxic in large doses -- and this can be dangerous. Excessive intake of these vitamins may cause liver damage, nausea, vomitting, headaches, joint pain, dry skin and hair, cracked lips and loss of appetite. However, like most water-soluble vitamins, excess intake of Vitamin B and C is discharged in your urine and not stored in the body. But, as the saying goes, too much of anything is not good.
MYTH #6
Women need more iron than men
Fact: Yup! Due to menstruation, women need more iron and Vitamin C, which increases iron absorption. Bleeding through injury or disease increases the need for iron in both sexes. Iron is important for your blood cells and a sufficient amount is necessary for everyone.
MYTH #7
To be healthy, one should eliminate the intake of fat.
Fact: Fat is an essential nutrient for the body. Some of its function include providing fat-soluble vitamins to the bloodstream, and promoting growth. It is recommended to incorporate fat into your diet. It is also known to keep your body warm, but not like it's something we need in Singapore!
MYTH #8
Vitamin supplements aren't necessary
Fact: They are, in fact, extremely necessary. Even Vitamin C, the most abundant in our diet, is most efficient in our system. Some vitamins are easily destroyed, thus, vitamin supplements are necessary. Vitamin supplements are especially important for those who diet, picky eaters and smokers (carbon monoxide destroys the circulation of vitamin C in your body -- another reason to give up smoking!).
