Articles by Suzanne Elvidge on The Benefits and Sources of Vitamins
What Is the RDA?
The RDA tells you how much of each vitamin your body needs daily and which foods can help you meet those amounts.
2nd April 2026
Why Do We Need Vitamins
Your body needs vitamins for eyesight, immunity, wound healing and growth, but can't make most of them so they must come from food.
6th January 2011
Q and A: Which Foods Prevent These Deficiencies?
Eating the right foods can prevent serious deficiencies like beriberi and pellagra, from wholegrains and meat to fruit and vegetables.
6th January 2011
Do You Need More Vitamins When You Are Ill?
Your body may need different vitamin levels when you're ill, especially if medicines or poor appetite get in the way.
5th January 2011
Can Vitamins Prevent Colds?
Vitamin C won't prevent most colds, but it might slightly reduce how long they last if you catch one.
5th January 2011
Can Vitamins Prevent Cancer?
The science on whether vitamins prevent cancer is mixed, though eating plenty of fruit and vegetables seems more protective than taking supplements.
5th January 2011
Which Foods Provide These Vitamins?
Liver, leafy greens, eggs and yeast are top sources for vitamins A and B, though vegans need to watch their B12 intake.
23rd December 2010
Vitamins for Teenagers
Teenagers need specific vitamins for growth and development, which usually come from a balanced diet, though supplements may help in some cases.
23rd December 2010
Vitamins for Vegans
Vegans need to pay attention to certain vitamins like B12 since animal products are off the menu, but a healthy vegan diet is totally achievable.
22nd December 2010
Vitamins for Stronger Teeth and Bones
Vitamins A, C, D and K strengthen teeth and bones at every age, from developing babies to adults.
24th September 2010
Do We Need to Buy Vitamin-enriched Cereals?
Vitamin-enriched cereals can help fill nutritional gaps, but whole grain options are often a better choice for your breakfast.
9th September 2010
Do Babies Need Vitamin Supplements
Your baby's vitamin needs depend on how they're fed and their age, so here's what actually matters.
9th September 2010
Can Vitamin D Prevent Dementia?
New research suggests vitamin D deficiency might play a role in dementia development, but the evidence remains unclear.
6th September 2010
Hints and Tips for a Vitamin Rich Diet
Get more vitamins from food by cooking smart, choosing the right produce, and eating a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables.
6th September 2010
Vitamins for Dieters
People trying to lose weight often wonder if extra vitamins help, and whether dieting leaves them short on important nutrients.
6th September 2010
The Myths About Vitamins
Common myths about vitamins debunked: supplements aren't always necessary, natural doesn't mean safe, and more isn't better.
6th September 2010
Getting a Balanced Diet on a Low Income
You can eat healthy on a budget by shopping smart, buying in bulk, and knowing where to find the best deals on fresh food.
6th September 2010
Vitamin E Rich Diet: Reduce Risk of Alzheimer's?
High vitamin E intake may lower your Alzheimer's risk by 25%, according to a large study of over 5,000 people.
6th September 2010
Do Animals Need Vitamin Supplements?
Most animals get the vitamins they need from food and their own bodies, but some require dietary supplements depending on their species and health.
8th April 2010
Do Our Vitamin Requirements Change as We Age?
Your vitamin needs shift as you get older, and here's how much of each B vitamin you actually need at different life stages.
8th April 2010
How Were Vitamins Discovered?
People used certain foods to cure mysterious diseases for centuries before scientists understood vitamins were the reason why.
8th April 2010
Can Our Bodies Make Our Own Vitamins?
Your body makes vitamin D from sunlight, and gut bacteria produce vitamin K, but you need food for all other vitamins.
8th April 2010
Why Do Flour and Margarine Have Added Vitamins?
Margarine and flour need added vitamins by law to replace nutrients lost in processing and prevent deficiency diseases like rickets.
6th April 2010
Are Vitamin Enriched Sweets and Snacks Worth the Money?
Added vitamins in sweets and snacks don't make them healthy, and they'll cost you more money than regular versions.
6th April 2010
Are Vitamin Enriched Soft Drinks Worth the Money?
Vitamin-enriched drinks often cost more but rarely deliver enough added vitamins to make a real difference to your health.
6th April 2010
Fun Facts: Which Foods Have the Most Vitamins?
Liver, pork and yeast extract pack the most vitamins, while cod liver oil tops the chart for vitamin A if you can stomach it.
22nd April 2009
Do Cosmetics with Added Vitamins Work?
Vitamins in cosmetics mostly can't penetrate deep skin or fix hair, though some forms may improve appearance.
22nd April 2009
Nightblindness and Xerophthalmia: Vitamin a Deficiency
Vitamin A deficiency causes nightblindness and xerophthalmia, affecting millions of children and vulnerable groups worldwide.
21st April 2009
Beri Beri and Pellagra: Deficiency of Vitamins B1, B3
B1 and B3 vitamin deficiencies cause serious health problems like beri beri and pellagra, especially in people with poor diets or relying on processed foods.
21st April 2009
Vitamin B6 and PMS
Vitamin B6 may help ease mood-related PMS symptoms by supporting serotonin and dopamine production in your body.
15th April 2009
What Are Fat Soluble Vitamins?
Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K are found in meat, dairy, eggs, and leafy greens, and your body needs dietary fat to absorb them.
25th February 2009
Can Vitamins Prevent Disease?
Most vitamin claims lack solid evidence, though a few supplements show real promise for specific health issues.
24th February 2009
How Drugs and Foods Interact with Vitamins
Certain medications and foods can interfere with how your body absorbs and uses vitamins, so checking with your doctor or pharmacist matters.
19th February 2009
Cooking to Preserve Vitamins
Keep vitamins intact by cooking vegetables quickly with minimal water and choosing the freshest produce.
18th February 2009
Are Vitamins in Food Better Than Supplements?
Whole foods deliver better health benefits than vitamin supplements, and here's what the research actually shows.
12th February 2009