Vitamins are essential for cell function, neurons, growth and over all health and development.   

Here are Vitamins that are essential to health and vitality:

1. Vitamin A (Retinol):
   This vitamin is essential for optic nerves and sight.  It promotes healthy skin, teeth, immune, heart, intestines and protects us our kidneys from urinary issues and intestinal illnesses. It also helps our lungs exchange gas by helping our alveoli.  
    
2. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine):
   This vitamin turns our carbohydrates into energy.  It helps our systems work properly and strengthens our skin and brain.  
   
   
3. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin):
   Interacts with our Co-Enzymes that can carry electrons to enzymes and help turn food into energy.  
   
   
4. Vitamin B3 (Niacin):
   Helps lower high cholesterol levels, lungs, cardiovascular health.  Boosts memory and brain activity
   
   
5. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid):
   95% of this is in our mitochondria of our cells which helps overall health
   
   
6. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine):
   Helps with sleep, immune, heart health and metabolism of amino acids
   
   
7. Vitamin B7 (Biotin):
   Promotes hair, bone health, gene expression, cell signaling and can make glucose out of non-carbs
   
   
8. Vitamin B9 (Folate):
   Builds DNA and RNA, increases healthy tissue growth of RBC's and immune cells. Very important for fetal development.  
   
   
9. B12 (really an enzyme but put in vitamin category):
   This is the mother of B vitamins.  Binds with Folic Acid.  Helps DNA and RBCs, Increases vitamin B9.  Mood enhancer, protects the brain and heart.  It helps destroy negative and dangerous fatty acids.  
   
   
10. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid):
    Antioxidant that protects against free radicals.  Increases bone health, helps absorb oxygen to organs, connects cells and neurons, helps transport oxygen from lungs, helps differentiate different proteins, protects the peptides to help with neuronal synapses, prevents disease
    
    
11. Vitamin D (pro-hormone):
    Bone health and muscle mass, prevents liver disease, helps with insulin resistance, calcium, phosphorus, minerals, nerve oscillation. Prevents Alzheimers and Dementia, reduces stroke risk and depression.  Need 10-15 minutes of sun each day to have acceptable levels of Vitamin D.
    
    
12. Vitamin E:
    Prevents fat oxidation in our systems and cells. Increases immune function and protects our cell membranes.
    
    
13. Vitamin K (Phylloquinone):
    Great for overall health and helps blood coagulate.
    
    

    Vitamins are put into 2 categories:

    
    1. Fat-soluble:
    These are stored in the liver, fatty tissues and muscles.  Think KADE!  Vitamin K, A, D, E.  These are stored in the liver.  Also B1, B2 but they are released quickly to the kidneys for elimination.  
    
    2. Water-soluble:
    These are not easily stored in the body and can be eliminated quickly.  They must be consumed in larger amounts because they are discharged by the kidneys.  These are B vitamins, Vitamin C. However Vitamin B12 can be stored in the liver for many years.  Vitamin B12 is essential for all vegetarians and vegans for digestive health.  
    
    All of these vitamins can be ingested with eating a healthy amount of fruits and vegetables.  
    
    Dr. Amie Gregory, DC, CCEP, ANF is a San Francisco, CA and San Carlos, CA chiropractor that understands full body health.  She works with athletes, expectant moms, office workers and everyone else in between.  Contact our San Francisco, CA chiropractic office or San Carlos, CA chiropractic office today!