Pledge to Celebrate Health

We have a special day to celebrate today! National Vitamin Day!!

Okay. You may not share the same excitement as I do about this…yet. I know not long ago I wouldn’t have even given a second thought to vitamins. Then, I got into the details of vitamins and their specific roles in our health while studying for my Fitness Nutrition Specialization certification. << So close to taking the test! Woo!

Anywho…vitamins. I always KNEW they were important. I just didn’t quite know the detailed reasons of HOW and WHY they were important. So, in honor of National Vitamin Day, allow me to give a very brief rundown of the key vitamins, what they do for our bodies, and good sources of each (some of which surprised me!).

Vitamin A

• fat-soluble vitamin mostly stored in the liver
• integral part of visual cycle as retinol
• key in cell differentiation where stem cells develop into specific type of cells with unique functions
• has an affect on male and female reproductive processes (increased sperm count & reproductive tract health)
• lack of Vitamin A has been shown to cause bones to weaken
• Good Sources: sweet potato, pumpkin, carrots, squash, collards, mangoes, cantaloupe

Vitamin D

• fat-soluble vitamin that acts as a regulatory compound (regulating various things throughout body)
• the “sunshine vitamin” because our body can naturally produce Vitamin D with sufficient sunlight exposure
• regulates blood calcium levels, altering amount in bones, amount excreted by kidneys, and amount absorbed in intestinal walls
• Good Sources: sunlight exposure, fortified foods (milks, cereals, orange juice, breads), fatty fish (salmon, sardines canned in oil), supplements

Vitamin E

• fat-soluble vitamin stored mostly in liver
• antioxidant whose activity is enhanced by other nutrients such as selenium and Vitamin C
• stabilizes cell membranes against free radicals
• protects lungs against oxidative damage
• may protect against DNA mutations from cancer
• protects eye, liver, breast, and muscle tissues
• Good Sources: wheat germ, vegetable and seed oils

Vitamin K

• fat soluble vitamin
• essential for many steps of the blood clotting process
• needed for the synthesis of bone protein that strengthens skeleton
• Good Sources: kale, spinach, collards, broccoli, brussels sprouts, okra, kiwi, blackberries, grapes

B Vitamins

• water-soluble
• act as coenzymes which enable specific enzymes to function
• key in metabolic pathways for energy production throughout the cells
• synthesis of neurotransmitters and nerve health
• a variety of B vitamins – niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, folate, B6, B12, etc.
• Good Sources: enriched grains, animal protein sources

Vitamin C

• water-soluble
• main function in collagen synthesis to reinforce connective tissues of the body
• acts as antioxidant to minimize free radical damage to cells
• boosts iron absorption
• aids in immune function by enabling cells of immune system to function properly
• Good Sources: orange juice, red peppers, broccoli, strawberries, grapefruit, pineapple

And that’s not even touching on various minerals that can support our body’s health!

Our body has so many different health needs that vitamins and minerals contribute to for optimal function and efficiency. The variety of sources for these vitamins and minerals really stuck out to me when studying. I have a tendency to eat a lot of the same foods day after day after day because I enjoy them and it makes life easier. However, that isn’t providing my body a varied diet to get in a wider variety of vitamins.

For that reason, I am going to pledge to make more conscious meal decisions and aim for more variety. A balanced diet is always key for getting in these important nutrients. I also want to continue my goal of considering what my body could use more specifically over just a general multivitamin.

When considering all the different types of vitamins I recognize that I could really use some extra Vitamin D for bone health as bone mass can peak around age thirty. Also, B vitamins support metabolic processes, the nervous system, and, from those things, energy. 

Pretty stoked that both of those are available in the new Nature Made Vitamelts line of products.

A bit more info about these tasty little vitamins.

• tiny, melt-in-your-mouth tablets that are very easy to take
• made with all natural flavors
• no need for water as they melt in your mouth and immediately absorb
• easy to carry small flip top packaging
• all meeting the quality Nature Made standards I shared before

I seriously love these little guys. I  know I don’t want to worry about swallowing numerous horse pills through the day. Plus, I often forget to take my vitamin during the busy morning so I like something I can carry with me in my purse and pop in my mouth whenever.

I also appreciate that I can take in separate doses through the day, especially considering the body will flush out excess water-soluble vitamins if you take a megadose all at once. Don’t want any energy B vitamins going to waste, right?

Once again, I have to give a huge thank you to Nature Made for the learning experience I had and for a great product to help me in my personal pledge to health. I now plan to focus even more on a quality, nutritious, balanced and varied diet, but also fill in possible gaps. I want to ensure the best all around care for my body after all. Don’t you agree? -

What healthy pledge would you take?

Nature Made® VitaMelts™ are a new "one of a kind”, enjoyable way to take your vitamins because they melt in your mouth and taste great. Discover how new Nature Made® VitaMelts™ can transform your vitamin taking experience by making it enjoyable. Visit us at www.NatureMade.com/Vitamelts to get a coupon!

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Nature Made via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Nature Made.

Tagged as: healthy eating, healthy habits, Nature Made, nutrition talk, vitamins

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