Can I share a secret with you?

Vitamins are more than popping a capsule.

Chances are you've bought a bottle of vitamins lately. Have you taken them? Vitamins are easy to buy and hard to take. At least this has been my experience and that of most of the clients that I work with.

Taking vitamins is a fabulous way to promote your health, help your digestion to improve, increase your energy, and jack-up your overall vitality. So why do they sit in our cupboards for months on end and never make it into our mouths? Ive identified a major block (for most people) to taking vitamins.

We dont understand them.

Once you know what an actual vitamin or mineral is doing for your body, it makes it a lot easier to take it in.

Understanding not only what a vitamin is doing for your body but also what foods are naturally giving your body a vitamin boost generates ease with vitamin-intake as well. I now know what vitamins and minerals are coming from my food, and which I am missing. This information makes it much easier to take the liquid supplement I now use as part of my morning routine. Its important to have a balance. You really are not doing your body a favor by eating non-nutrient food and then taking a multi-vitamin everyday. It doesnt make sense.

You should consider knowing the Top 5 vitamins. You can then make food choices based on what type of vitamins and energy you are getting from your meal, a.k.a., whats your fuel?

To get you started, heres a Top 5 list of vitamins, the benefits of each and what foods are going to give them to you:

Vitamin A

Benefits:
prevents eye problems
prevents skin disorders, acne in particular
enhances immunity
helps to heal gastrointestinal difficulties
protects against colds, flu, infections

Sources:
animal livers
fish liver oils
green and yellow fruits and veggies

Vitamin B (complex)

Benefits:
eases nerves
strengthens skin, hair
creates healthy intestine muscles
increases brain function
increases energy

Sources:
brown rice and other whole grains
egg yolks
pork and poultry

Vitamin C

Benefits:
healthy tissue growth
healthy gums
aids in anti-stress
helps to prevent cancer
reduces bad cholesterol

Sources:
citrus fruits
dark leafy greens
berries

Vitamin D

Benefits:
helps absorb calcium
promotes growth of bones
protects against weak muscles
prevents breast cancer
enhances immunity

Sources:
halibut
sweet potatoes
oatmeal

Vitamin E

Benefits:
prevents cancer
improves circulation
repairs tissue
eases PMS
maintains healthy nerves

Sources:
dark green leafy vegetables
sea vegetables
wheat germ