Tag: Vitamin science

According to manufacturers and health experts, while vitamins do not become toxic or 'spoiled' like food, they do lose potency gradually over time. This degradation process affects how well a supplement can provide its intended nutritional benefits, which is why understanding the factors involved is crucial for any supplement user.

According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a significant portion of the adult population regularly takes multivitamins, but research shows mixed results for the average healthy person. This article examines if there is any real benefit to multivitamins and who can truly gain from them.

The human body requires a range of vitamins for optimal health, but there is no such nutrient officially named 'vitamin 1'. This common misconception likely stems from confusion with the numbered B-complex vitamins, the first of which is Thiamine, or vitamin B1.

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is unique among all vitamins because it contains a metal ion in its chemical structure. Most vitamins are purely organic compounds, but B12's inclusion of the metal cobalt is essential for its biological activity and is what gives cobalamin its distinctive red color. This mineral-vitamin combination is foundational to many critical processes within the human body.

While roughly one-third of all American adults take a multivitamin regularly, the question remains: do you actually get vitamins from multivitamins? The truth is more complex than a simple yes or no, as the body's ability to absorb these nutrients depends on many factors, including the type of vitamin, the supplement's formulation, and individual health.