A question on vitamins..?

Hi,
I have a very basic question on vitamins. What exactly is the purpose of vitamins? I have heard my mom telling me to take Vitamin B complex capsules, when I am weak. How does vitamin B give us energy? I thought glucose is generated only by burning carbohydrates,fats or proteins..

Also, why is it advisable to take Vitamin-C, when in cold, and even I have heard the energy giving story about vitamin-C, but don't understand the reason

Thanks

Hello "learner" (neat name)

Vitamins are essential in forming the enzymes and co-enzymes (chemicals)for metabolizing the nutrients that we eat. As subj points out, at a young age, a well balanced diet should provide all of the elements that you need. As we age this is another matter: Absorption and other medications have the potential to raise havoc with this delicate balance.

It is important to understand that there are "water soluble" and "fat soluble" vitamins and it is possible to "overdose" on fat soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K). Iron, folate. and B-12 are very important to avoid a low red blood cell count (anemia) from your period.

Overall, I think that if you eat a balanced diet, your biggest risk is attributing a treatable medical problem to a vitamin issue: You should not feel "weak" do to a vitamin problem, at a young age: You should consult with your Doctor or Provider to be screened for other potential problems.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has variable scientific influence upon a cold. It is thought that the acidification, from ascorbic acid, is unfavorable to a virus in the body. Zinc has proven to be much more effective but Vitamin C causes few people any problem if taken in less than 1000 mg/day (adequate fluid intake is as important).

Be Well

i didn't know about vitamin B but for vitamin C... those fight the viruses and protect your body... ever since i started taking centrum, my cold symptoms have been extremely minimal! hope that can work for you :)

Vitamins play a huge role in your health and wellness. Vitamin b12 helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. It is also bound to protein in food and helps with digestion.

Vitamin C helps with your immune system.

Body normally extracts all it needs from the food that we take. But in some cases, due to the type of food they take or the region to which they belong, the body is not able to extract some of the essential vitamins. Vitamin B complex is one such vitamin. It is found deficient amongst vegetarians.