The vitamin complex is a combination of important vitamins and minerals that help the body function better. Each one is responsible for a specific function in the body, and together they can bring even greater benefits to our health.

What is a Vitamin Complex?

The vitamin complex is a mixture of the main nutrients and minerals that the body needs to develop better. Capsules, which support the body’s proper functioning and immune system, contain a range of vitamins from A to zinc; each is responsible for a function, and together provide even greater benefits. They are recommended for people with diseases that hinder vitamin and nutrient absorption through food, and also when a vitamin deficiency is detected in the body that can pose serious health risks.

Benefits

Each vitamin provides a long list of benefits and, when combined, their positive effects are multiplied, which is why vitamin supplements were created to help those who are unable to consume the necessary amount through food for the body to function better.

The main benefits of each vitamin are:

  • Vitamin A – A powerful ally in fighting free radicals, responsible for bone formation and helps preserve skin health.
  • Vitamin D – Helps prevent osteoporosis and regulates blood calcium levels.
  • Vitamin E – Acts powerfully with its antioxidant agents.
  • Vitamin K – Acts in blood clotting and activates the development of osteocalcin, one of the agents responsible for good bone health.
  • Vitamin B1 – Improves energy metabolism.
  • Vitamin B2 – Improves enzyme metabolism, helping the nervous system function properly.
  • Vitamin B5 – Helps metabolize proteins, sugars, and fats in the body.
  • Vitamin B6 – Responsible for development, growth, cell protection, and hormone production.
  • Vitamin B12 – Responsible for cell multiplication and formation of red blood cells.
  • Vitamin C – Plays a powerful role in strengthening the immune system, helps the intestine absorb iron, and combats free radicals responsible for various diseases.
  • Vitamin H – Helps metabolize fats in the body.
  • Vitamin M or B9 – Acts in amino acid metabolism, nervous tissues, and production of red blood cells.
  • Vitamin PP or B3 – Responsible for regulating blood cholesterol levels, protecting the liver for proper function, and maintaining healthy skin.

Foods That Contain Them

We find the vitamins that are important for the body’s optimal functioning in foods in general, such as fruits, vegetables, greens, and animal products. Each provides us with different nutrients and vitamins that are responsible for health maintenance and disease prevention. The absence of these vitamins and nutrients can pose serious health risks, some of which are irreversible.

Foods rich in vitamin A include: melon, mango, papaya, carrot, kale, spinach, peas, beetroot, sweet potato, broccoli, eggs, and the largest source, beef liver. As for vitamin B and all its complex forms such as B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12, these can be found in foods such as potato, banana, tuna, chili pepper, lentils, kale, spinach, eggs, cereals, and milk.

Vitamin E is found in peanuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and wheat germ, while vitamin C is present in a longer list: beef liver, fruits such as acerola, kiwi, broccoli, orange, tangerine, chili pepper, mango, strawberry, papaya, and bell pepper.

As for vitamin D, it is found in fattier foods such as salmon, tuna, sardines, and catfish, as well as in eggs and mushrooms. Vitamin K is obtained by eating foods such as avocado, banana, kiwi, dairy products, and eggs.

Since intake of these vitamins is extremely important for health and we don’t always consume the recommended daily amount of each vitamin, supplementation through vitamin complexes is advised by doctors. This enables monitoring the levels of each vitamin in our body, maintaining the proper functioning of the body and its functions.

Vitamin Complex During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, including a healthier diet rich in vitamins and nutrients is recommended to help with fetal development and support the mother’s health, providing a healthy pregnancy and resulting in a smooth delivery. Supplementing with a vitamin complex improves blood oxygenation for both mother and baby, plays a powerful role in neural tube development, helping to prevent malformations, and supports DNA formation. The vitamins found in the complete supplement are responsible for the development of the fetus and all its bodily functions such as the brain, bones, and tissues.

One major concern related to taking vitamin complexes is weight changes. Studies have shown that the weight gain noted after taking these supplements was linked to the intake of sugars that were once part of the capsule composition; this ingredient has mostly been replaced by sweeteners in most brands. Therefore, taking supplements does not cause weight gain or changes; if weight gain does occur, a doctor should be consulted and a healthier diet will be recommended.

Photo: Bradley Stemke