The Benefits of Vitamins

Male Speaker: I take vitamins. Female Speaker: I take them. When I take them, I feel better. Female Speaker: It seems simple enough just pop a pill to get the nutrients you need, but all the information we get about vitamins and minerals can be hard to digest. To find out how much you really know, here is an ever well challenge. Okay, first question, true or false? Vitamins are a good source of energy? Female Speaker: I believe so. Yes. Yes, they are. Male Speaker: True. Male Speaker: False. The vitamins, they're not true. Female Speaker: To see who is right, we turned to nutrient expert Dr. Thomas Ziegler. Dr. Thomas Ziegler: False. Vitamins are not a source of energy themselves, they do help the body convert the food you eat into energy, but they're not the source of energy themselves. Female Speaker: So much for clients for vitamins that promise to boost your energy. Okay, try this one. In most brands of multi vitamins you won't get 100% of the recommended daily dosage of which of the following Calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Niacin? Male Speaker: I would say Niacin. Female Speaker: Calcium. Male Speaker: Vitamin C. Male Speaker: Vitamin A. Male Speaker: I don't know. I just guess. Dr. Thomas Ziegler: The answer is A. Calcium. Male Speaker: So as going to say. Dr. Thomas Ziegler: The requirements for Calcium are far too large to put in a single multi vitamin, so you need separate Calcium supplements or dairy rich products. Female Speaker: So, how are you doing so far? Male Speaker: I was a school teacher by the way. Female Speaker: So, you should be getting 100, right? Male Speaker: Alright that's why I'm worried. I hope letting my kids see this. Female Speaker: Let the games continue. Vitamin D along with calcium is crucial for strong healthy bones. Which of the following cause it to your body to make Vitamin D? A. Sleep. B. Sunshine. C. Exercise? Female Speaker: Exercise. Female Speaker: Sunshine. Female Speaker: I guess, it's sunshine. Male Speaker: Sleep. Dr. Thomas Ziegler: B. Sunshine. Male Speaker: Sunshine. I would've never guessed. I don't even know sunshine did anything like Mickey darker or something or so. Dr. Thomas Ziegler: A lot of people probably don't know that sunshine is very important for Vitamin D production. Female Speaker: Depending on the location and season, all we can take is a few minutes of sunshine; two or three times a week to keep our body stocked with Vitamin D, but that doesn't mean that's safe to sun bath. Too much sun exposure can be harmful. Are you learning something? Male Speaker: I'm learning because see I'm not a health teacher. Female Speaker: Let's march through the Vitamin alphabet to one that's not as well known. Vitamin K. Female Speaker: Vitamin K. I've never heard of that. Female Speaker: Vitamin K helps A. skin to tan. B. Blood to clot. C. Nails to grow? Female Speaker: Skin to tan. Female Speaker: Blood to clot. Male Speaker: Well, had to say skin to tan. Dr. Thomas Ziegler: B. Helps blood to clot. It's clinically important for the liver to make the clotting factors that are important to stop bleeding if you cut yourself. Female Speaker: In addition, Vitamin K may help keep bones strong. You know where you get Vitamin K. Male Speaker: No. Female Speaker: Guess. Male Speaker: I've no clue. Dr. Thomas Ziegler: It's actually made by bacteria in your intestine, but it's also required in diet. Fruits and vegetables particularly dark green leafy vegetables are the best sources. Female Speaker: Final question. Ever noticed these initials on supplements what is USP? Take a wild guess. Male Speaker: In a vessel supplement flat. I don't know. Male Speaker: United States Physicians. Pharmacist. Dr. Thomas Ziegler: And that stands for the United States Pharmacopeia and what it is, it's an official designation that indicates that the vitamin or mineral supplement that you're purchasing is actually been tested and it contains what it says it does. It also indicates that the product will dissolve effectively and I just wash through your system. The USP designation does not do as it indicate that the supplement is safe or effective. Female Speaker: So, how did you do on our challenge? Female Speaker: I learned something. Male Speaker: I learned too.