However, it’s not vitamin B that falls between vitamins A and C; it’s B vitamins. Plural. What’s going on? Well, there are actually eight different compounds that come under the heading of B vitamins. It’s somewhat confusing because they’re not numbered consecutively, which is why these eight vitamins finish on B12. The missing numbers used to be considered vitamins but have now been recognized as different types of chemicals.

B vitamins do have proper names in addition to their numbers. The ones that are still officially vitamins are thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine/pyridoxal/pyridoxamine, biotin, folate and cobalamins. Each has its own specific role, so you need to make sure you have all eight of them.

Important jobs for the B vitamins include the processing of carbohydrates, fats and proteins; the formation of important enzymes; contributing to cell growth and change; repairing DNA and ensuring that other vitamins work properly when they enter the body.

Most B vitamins can be found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, eggs, dairy, meat and seafood. Some processed grains, such as flours and cereals, are fortified with extra nutrients like thiamine to ensure that people receive their recommended amount. There was a time when vitamin deficiencies were extremely common.

The importance of avoiding vitamin deficiencies becomes apparent when you take a look at some of the conditions caused when you don’t have enough B vitamins: beriberi from a lack of thiamine, pellagra when you don’t have enough niacin, pernicious anemia as just one of the types of anemia associated with a lack of B12. Some vitamin deficiencies are more common than others, but all of them can cause serious health complications. Some can even be fatal.

It’s not always easy to keep track of all the nutrients you need, let alone knowing if you’re eating enough of them. What is certain is that a balanced diet ensures that as many of these essential vitamins as possible make their way into your system, protecting you from some health problems.

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Yep, I’m back, and I’ve got another guide to one of the essential aspects of health that you need to know. I’m sure you’ve been told that you need vitamins in your life, but you might not understand why. That’s why I’m taking this chance to share some vital information with you.

We’ve all heard about the importance of a balanced diet. You probably know that you’re supposed to eat food with lots of vitamins. However, you might not know exactly what vitamins are, what they do or which foods you should be looking for to get the vitamins you need. My guide should cover the basics so you can feel a bit more confident about your nutritional choices.

For starters, vitamins are what’s called an “essential micronutrient”. That means they sit alongside minerals, fatty acids and amino acids as things we absolutely need to survive. The human body can’t make its own vitamins in most cases, so we mostly get them from our diet. Luckily, in the modern world, there are also artificial supplements that can help you out if for some reason you can’t get the vitamins you need from what you eat.

It would take a long time to list all the biological functions controlled by vitamins. They’re present all around the body, performing a diverse range of roles. You’ve probably heard of some of them, including vitamin A, vitamin B (divided into different subtypes from B1 to B12), vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K.

Vitamin A is found in cod liver oil, various types of animal liver, sweet potato, carrots and lots of other foods. It has an important role to play in how the body grows and develops, as well as the immune system. It also affects your vision.

The many types of B vitamins all make an appearance in meat and dairy products, as well as eggs, beans and yeast. The processing of white flour and white sugar can lower their B vitamin content, which is why so-called “enriched flour” tries to restore these vitamins. Different B vitamins have various roles in metabolism and energy release.

Sailors of old would develop scurvy because they didn’t eat enough fruit and vegetables, which meant they didn’t have enough vitamin C in their diets. Citrus fruits are a particularly good source of vitamin C. This vitamin is often associated with protection from colds.

Unlike most vitamins, vitamin D isn’t mainly found in food (though it is in some types of fish). Your main source of vitamin D is sunlight; you don’t want too much sun, however, because of the skin cancer risk. In some places, milk and cereal are fortified with vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for bone health, with supplements used to reduce the risk of rickets or osteoporosis.

There’s been a lot of research into vitamin E, which seems to have different roles. You can find it in various fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and it’s very rare to find someone with a vitamin E deficiency. A lack of vitamin E can cause nerve problems.

Without vitamin K, you might bleed without stopping, and your bones will be weaker. Leafy green plants are the best places to find vitamin K.

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The stalks are also leaded with vitamin K, which is supportive for the immune system and the entire cardiovascular system as a whole. Including rhubarb can help manage many health challenges with great nutritional support. Some of these include:

1.Better Vision 
Rhubarb is known to help improve the eyes and vision with the high level of beta- carotene and vitamin A. Listen, rhubarb also contains much of the zeanthin to support against age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. 

2.Cardiovascular Health 
Heart health is one of the most impacted areas from the food that we eat every day. The natural B-vitamins can support against issues like a-fib, and other cardiovascular conditions.

3.Diabetic Neuropathy 
One of the most powerful vitamins for the nutritional support of diabetes is vitamin B-6 or pyridoxine. This is a powerful tool to help combat any of these challenges. 

4.Osteoporosis 
The high level of absorbable vitamin K and calcium help the body move toward a stronger musculoskeletal system as a whole for empowering your health. 

5.Alzheimer’s  
We are now learning the importance of the vitamin K in helping prevent against this disease that is on the rise. 

So when asked, get your rhubarb salad next time. It is a great option to get amazing greens in that can help improve your health dramatically.

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