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What Are Vitamins and Why Are They Important? - Cnet
Vitamins are micronutrients that are essential for our wellbeing. Here is what you need to know about vitamins and the role they play in our health.When you're young, taking your vitamins is fun -- who didn't love a Flintstones chewable vitamin? Vitamins are crucial for your development when you're a child and remain essential to your overall health throughout your life. They keep your immune system functioning healthy and keep your body functioning properly.
For many, vitamin deficiency is a real problem. An estimated 2 billion people worldwide (primarily in developing countries) have some vitamin deficiency, which can lead to severe illness and even death in extreme cases. An Oregon State University report found that about 75% of the US population (aged 1 year or under) don't consume the recommended intake of fruit, and more than 80% don't consume the recommended intake of vegetables, which contributes to a vitamin deficiency and overall nutrient-poor diet. The report also pointed out how common it is for Americans to not get nearly enough vitamins from their food -- requiring supplements to balance things out. While supplements are readily available for this reason, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that your body will benefit more from getting vitamins through food instead.