Do you feel run down? Do you feel like your body is missing something? These feelings can come from a lack of proper nutritional intake. Nutrition isn't just about the food you eat, but also the vitamins you put into your body. This article is going to give you a crash course on vitamins and minerals, and how they can help.

Vitamin A deficiencies can cause hyperkaratosis, keratomalacia and night-blindness. Forms of vitamin A, include retinol, beta carotene and retinal. This fat soluble vitamin can be found in orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, spinach, fish, liver, soy and milk. Vitamin A supplements can also provide you with the nutrients your body needs.

Drinking milk and mild sun exposure can help a person get more vitamin D. Take a supplement if you do not prefer milk. This will help to fortify your bones.

When looking for supplements, make sure that you look for those that are in their purest form. For example, Vitamin D3 is the purest form of this supplement and D2 is the synthetic version. This means that the latter may not be as effective and may possibly give you different results than you had hoped for.

There are millions of people who believe drinking water religiously is the key to overall good health. This is very true except you are also flushing the body of many nutrients, vitamins and minerals, it needs knowvitamin101 to function properly. Always make sure that at the least you are taking some form of one a day vitamin to keep the body satisfied in its needs.

If you are trying to grow out your hair or nails, consider adding a Biotin supplement. While it won't make your hair or nails grow faster, it will make them stronger and more resistant to breakage. In fact, Biotin is often recommended to chemotherapy patients to help them regrow the hair that they lost during treatment.

If you notice that you have been feeling odd after taking particular vitamins and minerals, it would be a good idea for you to leave them alone. Many people believe that vitamins have no side effects, but this is not the truth. Instead of dealing with ill effects, you should look for another way to get what you need.

Believe it or not, taking more of a vitamin is not beneficial and can actually be harmful. Depending on the vitamin, large amounts can have adverse effects and cause problems with how any medication you are taking works. Vitamin A, vitamin D, and iron need to be taken with the recommended daily allowance and not more.

If you are planning to have a baby any time soon, folic acid is a must. This nutrient is used in brain development in a fetus and when you're low, defects can appear. In fact, taking a full prenatal vitamin if you are trying to get pregnant is a great benefit.

Juicing is very popular these days, and it is a great way to consume healthy fruits and vegetables. Many people add a powdered vitamin and mineral supplement to their juice drink to create a healthy breakfast smoothie they can enjoy every day. This drink is not only very healthy, but also helps increase energy levels.

As you age, your ability to absorb B12 diminishes. You can try taking a lot of it, but this doesn't mean all of it will get absorbed. It's a good idea to have a doctor test your B12 levels so that you can figure out whether or not you need to get shots.

Cheap food is nutrient poor, so consider what you are eating. For example, eating vegetables out of a can means you're missing out on fresh, nutrient-rich vegetables instead. Your diet is your key source of vitamins and minerals, and there is no point in taking supplements if you're eating junk all day long.

When taking vitamin supplements, always read the label to determine the amount of the vitamin included in each capsule or tablet.The best choice will usually be an amount that is close to the standard recommended daily dose. Carefully consider the potential risk of high dose vitamins to the potential benefits before you buy.

Eat fresh fish two or three times a week. The oils in fish have some of the highest nutrient content of any food. The vitamins contained in fish are great for your mental health and heart health. Do not overcook fish or you will lose the major nutrients that it has to offer.

If you are really tired, you may be lacking magnesium. This nutrient is what keeps us peppy, and a deficiency leaves us worn out. Be sure to talk to your family physician before taking this supplement as it can affect other medications you take or some of your body's natural rhythms.

Eating "superberries" like blueberries can boost the effects of your healthy diet. Blueberries are known as "superberries" because they contain large amounts of antioxidants. These can fight off free radicals and help your body stay healthy. They may also protect you from cancer. You can also find ample amounts of antioxidants in other berries like raspberries and blackberries.

Now you can see how why vitamins are important. Your body will tell you when it is in need by the way you feel each day. This article has given you a better understanding of the benefits and uses of vitamins. Be proactive and put these tips to work for your health.