Source of strengthening the body's immunity

Source of strengthening the body's immunity

Benefits of  vitamins A, D, E and K

During the winter, we most often hear recommendations about the use of vitamin C, but it is by no means the only important vitamin for strengthening the body's immunity and overall health. Also, almost everyone will have heard about the importance of vitamin D, but what about other fat-soluble vitamins - A, E and K ? What function do they perform in our body and how to absorb them?

Ilze Priedniece, a pharmacist at BENU Pharmacy, shares her recommendations on fat-soluble vitamins.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is important for maintaining normal vision. It promotes the normal functioning of the immune system, as well as helps maintain the health of the mucous membranes and skin. It also helps the body maintain a normal iron metabolism.

Foods with vitamin A

It is found in fish liver and oil, liver, eggs, herring, as well as dairy products - butter, cheese and cream. It can also be taken up with beta carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body. It contains colored fruits and vegetables - carrots, tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins, lettuce, spinach, broccoli.

Lack of this vitamin causes visual impairment, may be impaired ability to see at dusk - in the evenings and at night. Also, susceptibility to infectious diseases increases, the skin becomes dry.

Vitamin D

The importance of vitamin D in the body has been talked about more and more recently. This vitamin regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism, helps maintain bone and dental health. It is necessary for normal bone growth and development in children, as well as for normal muscle function and boosting the immune system. Vitamin D is also needed by the nervous and hormonal systems, as well as normal blood pressure. This is one of the hormones.

Vitamin D, or more precisely, vitamin D3, is synthesized in the skin under the influence of ultraviolet rays and then, initially in the liver and then in the kidney tissues, is converted into a biologically active form. Dietary vitamin D can be ingested with fish liver, egg yolk, butter, cheese, fatty fish and liver.

Signs of vitamin D deficiency in the body. The majority of Latvians have insufficient vitamin D levels. Therefore, it is recommended to determine its level by submitting blood tests. Some people may not have a complaint or may have difficulty recognizing it. The main signs of vitamin D deficiency are fatigue and weakness, muscle and bone pain, frequent illness. Significantly, vitamin D deficiency can cause growth failure in children. It should also be borne in mind that overweight people need higher doses of vitamin D.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant. It promotes the protection of cells against oxidative stress, participates in metabolic processes, as well as is necessary for the normal functioning of the reproductive organs.

It can be ingested with vegetable oils, sprouted grains, lettuce, egg yolks, nuts, avocados and peppers.

Vitamin E deficiency in the body can cause infertility, skin changes, muscle weakness.

Vitamin K

There is much less talk about vitamin K. It promotes normal blood clotting and helps maintain bone health. We take it with food, eating spinach, lettuce, nettle, parsley, cabbage, broccoli, avocado, kiwi, liver and meat. Sufficient amounts of this vitamin are synthesized by a healthy intestinal microflora, so its deficiency is rare. Deficiency is characterized by increased bleeding, epistaxis, bruising.

Note

Fat-soluble vitamins must be used with caution! Symptoms of vitamin deficiency can be difficult to identify, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking these vitamins. Specialists will also recommend the required dose of vitamins, as overdose (mostly A and D) can lead to overdose.