Vitamin supplements can supplement a diet where gaps exist, helping prevent or treat certain health conditions.
Supplements come in pill, powder, gummy and liquid forms; when selecting supplements be sure to look for products with certification from US Pharmacopeia or NSF International to verify they meet quality standards and are safe.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C (also referred to as L-ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin found naturally and added to many foods; additionally, dietary supplements contain it too. Humans cannot produce this vitamin themselves so it’s vitally important to get enough from diet.
Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant that supports immune system functioning and fights free radicals that damage cells. Furthermore, this vitamin may shorten respiratory infections by improving symptoms such as coughing and congestion.
Studies suggest that vitamin C consumption could help lower the risk of certain cancers, such as lung and colorectal. Furthermore, regular consumption could boost the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiation therapies against cancer.
Consuming whole food sources of vitamin C is generally preferred over supplementing with synthetic forms, as they offer more essential vitamins and can be more readily absorbed than supplemental doses of vitamin C. However, some individuals require supplements due to poor eating habits or health conditions that reduce absorption.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a group of eight fat-soluble antioxidants with potency anti-inflammatory properties, found in plant oils, nuts, seeds and fruits. There are four tocopherol isoforms and four tocotrienol isoforms available, however only four of the latter forms meet human requirements (The Recommended Daily Allowance or RDA). Vitamin E is processed through digestion in livers into lipoproteins which are then transported throughout extrahepatic tissues; supplement intake increases when taken along with fat-rich food sources.
Some studies suggest that vitamin E could reduce the risk of Alzheimer disease, Parkinson’s disease and other neurologic disorders; however, additional research must be completed in order to confirm these results.
Vitamin E supplements could potentially amplify the blood-thinning effects of some medications, like warfarin (Coumadin). They might also decrease their heart-protective capabilities and thus it’s best to steer clear of high dose vitamin E supplements if taking these drugs or herbs, since higher doses could potentially increase or decrease their effects; consequently it would be wise to refrain from high-dose supplement use altogether if using any such drugs or herbs; additionally they could potentially cause side effects such as bee sting allergies, liver spots stomach upset diarrhea indigestion bloating gas low blood potassium low blood potassium low blood potassium low blood potassium low blood potassium low blood potassium or skin rash which might not otherwise.
Minerals
Minerals are nonliving elements that occur naturally in our environment, found in soil and water and consumed by plants or eaten by animals. We need minerals in order to grow and remain healthy – some macrominerals like calcium, phosphorus and magnesium require larger quantities than others; potassium, sodium, zinc iron selenium are required in smaller amounts as macrominerals.
Mineral properties include color, hardness, luster, solubility, magnetism and crystal structure – which confer specific physical attributes like cleavage and symmetry to each mineral.
Most people can obtain all of their mineral needs through diet alone; however, supplementation may also help meet your requirements if necessary. Multivitamin/mineral supplements (also referred to as multiple vitamins or simply multis) typically contain all necessary minerals; they can also be helpful if health issues prevent you from receiving enough through your regular diet.
Skin Health
No matter your skin care goal – whether that be acne, eczema or simply glowing complexion – supplements may provide aid. But it is also essential to remember that getting enough rest and following a consistent skincare routine are vitally important ways of supporting it. Furthermore, for the greatest effectiveness consume your vitamins in their natural state through eating a well-rounded diet as the most efficient approach.
If you do choose to supplement, we recommend selecting one with third-party testing and traceable ingredients. Ritual’s vegan capsules (which are gluten-free and non-GMO verified) offer high-quality ingredients with a low tolerable upper limit for nutrients to prevent toxicity.
