SS Fitness

Vitamins (fat soluble ADEK): A little memory tip for you: All Dogs eat Kibble.

Unlike the other vitamins and minerals that we have discussed before, fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed into the body, and excess amounts are stored as fatty tissue (not saying that you are going to get fat). These vitamins are much more dangerous to overdose on, because they don’t just get flushed out if the body doesn’t need them. However, as long as you are focusing on getting a healthy diet and working to hit all of the different food groups, then you should have nothing to worry about. If you have concerns, be sure to check in with your healthcare provider; they can help you navigate the best course of action.

As for the Vitamins:

• Vitamin A aids in brightening your eyes, building immunity, strengthening bones, and helping with reproductive function. Some sources that include this are carrots, kale, egg yolks, mustard greens, sweet potato, and spinach.
• Vitamin D improves bone health, heightens blood calcium levels, cell reproduction, and strengthens teeth. Some sources include almonds, sunflower seeds, and spinach. The sun is also a great source that many people are extremely deficient in, so be sure to go outside.
• Vitamin E protects the cell membrane and acts as a barrier for other fatty acids against the force of oxidation. We believe that this happens to maintain the integrity of the cell and body to prevent unregulated reactions between the two chemicals. However, this vitamin is still being heavily researched due to some of its different effects. Many people have claimed strong benefits for skin and classify it as somewhat of an anti-aging serum, but that is almost all purely speculation. Some sources include almonds, sunflower seeds, spinach, and peanuts.

There are two different vitamin K classifications:

• Vitamin K1 assists in blood coagulation (the gathering of cells together to stop a cut from bleeding, what you would classify as a scab). It is pretty common and is found in many leafy greens and plants. Some sources include kale, collards, broccoli, and asparagus.
• Vitamin K2 assists in calcium deposition to the right areas, bone metabolism, and supports growth and development, especially in the early years. It is not as common as its brother and is found in some animal foods and fermented products, as well as being assisted through the gut which also produces it. Some sources include cheese, egg yolk, chicken breast, and dairy.

I hope this was a good overview of the different vitamins, and I encourage you to make a little effort to improve your well-being by making sure that your diet is able to encompass all these different nutrients to help you live a long and healthy life. If you have any concerns about deficiency, be sure to talk to your doctor. Have a great one!