What actually are vitamins?

By Kate Withington | 

What actually are vitamins?

With so many of us taking for granted that we get everything we need to stay healthy from our food, this is a really important question. But with over 13 recognised vitamins, it can be hard to get the balance right all the time. Getting the right vitamins can mean the difference between feeling like you are running on empty and feeling like you could run a marathon. But we’re getting a bit ahead of ourselves – before we consider what vitamins we might need, let’s start from the beginning…

What are vitamins?

Vitamins are really clever little organic compounds your body needs in order to work properly and stay healthy. They are nutrients we don’t produce in our body naturally, so we need to find them somewhere else. Most of the vitamins we can get from our food, but often we need to top up.

As well as keeping our body healthy, having the right nutrients helps to improve our mood and can keep our skin, hair, and nails in top form. If you aren’t getting your vitamins regularly enough you might find you get tired and sluggish much more easily, find yourself complaining about aches and pains, or seem to be a magnet for any germs and bugs that are doing the rounds.

Vitamins can be either fat-soluble or water-soluble. We can hold on to fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, D, E, and K for much longer as our body tucks them into fatty tissue and our liver ready for when we need them. But water-soluble ones don’t like to hang about and whatever we don’t use gets flushed out. That’s why we need a more regular supply of these.

What do vitamins do?

There are 13 different vitamins and they all perform different jobs, from supporting the immune system to helping us grow, but they all work together to keep us fighting fit and healthy. You’ll probably already be aware of vitamin D, which we can get from the sun, but in countries like the UK where we don’t see the sun as often, it’s a good idea to take a vitamin D supplement, especially in the winter. Vitamin D supports our bones and a lack of it can leave you feeling tired. You can also find it in foods like eggs, mushrooms and fatty fish.

Why do I need vitamin supplements?

We can find most vitamins in food through a healthy and varied diet, but sometimes we need a little help. For something so small, you really do notice when they are gone. Vitamin deficiencies can lead to lots of problems like extreme tiredness, physical health issues and even impact your mental health.

Some people can be more likely to develop deficiencies. For example, B12 is mostly found in meat and dairy so people following a vegan or vegetarian diet need to make sure that they are getting enough and a vitamin supplement is a super simple way to do this. Otherwise, the deficiency could lead to Anaemia or even problems with the nervous system. There are also certain conditions, like Crohn’s disease, or types of medication that can affect the way our body absorbs nutrients from food.

What are vitamin strips?

One drawback of taking vitamin supplements is having to take a pill or capsule, which your body can find harder to absorb. All that work for nothing! But Diso has come up with the perfect (and perfectly formed) solution – vitamin strips that dissolve straight away on your tongue. No more bitter pills to swallow, just yummy tasting nutritional goodness. The strip means the nutrients are absorbed much more easily than with tablets and are quick and convenient to take. Each vitamin has been paired with delicious flavours like elderberry, raspberry, and orange mint to make getting your daily intake a pleasant experience.

Our pioneering oral strips bring nanoscience and nutrition together in a delightful pairing. They are an easy and convenient way to ensure you are hitting the right balance for your body and your health. Whether you need something to support your sleep, are lacking in B12, or need an energy boost, Diso has got you covered. Take a look at our full range of dissolvable vitamin strips for your feel-good nutrition.  

 

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