Santé is a co-subsponsor of Team Continu:the skating team led by Marianne Timmer. Marianne shares a tip every day to stay fit with Santé.
Marianne: 'You need vitamins for metabolism, bone building and digestion. There are no fewer than thirteen different types of vitamins:A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, biotin, C, D, E, folic acid and K. They are generally classified into two groups.
Fat-soluble vitamins The fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) are found in high-fat foods, such as fats, eggs, liver and milk products. The body stores them in adipose tissue.
Water-soluble vitamins The water-soluble vitamins (eg vitamins B and C) can be found in fresh vegetables, fruit, grain and milk products. They are only stored in the body in small amounts and for a short period of time. What the body does not need is excreted through the urine.
Can your body make vitamins? Some vitamins are produced by the body itself, such as vitamins A (beta-carotene), D (under the influence of the sun) and B3. But that usually happens in such small amounts that dietary supplementation is necessary. That is why it is necessary to eat a lot of vegetables, fruit and whole grain products and to a lesser extent dairy products.
What happens if you are deficient in certain vitamins?
A vitamin deficiency can cause health problems. A well-known example is bone loss (osteoporosis) due to a lack of vitamin D. Certain conditions can also promote vitamin deficiency; your doctor will be alert to this. An excess of vitamins can also be involved, this mainly concerns too high a dose of fat-soluble vitamins.
Caution!
Nutritional supplements can never replace healthy eating habits. So if you eat too much, too salty, and too little fiber, vegetables and fruit, don't think you can compensate for that with a vitamin pill.
Vitamin need is personal
Not everyone needs the same amount of vitamins. Those who should pay extra attention to a balanced diet are:growing children, elite athletes, pregnant women, nursing mothers, users of the contraceptive pill, weakened persons with a disturbed diet, the very elderly, alcoholics, smokers and people who use medication every day.'
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