Vitamins- How Do They Work?

What are vitamins? Vitamins are a nutritional requirement to every human body, which requires at least 13 vitamins and 16 minerals. These nutrients serve several biological purposes in the human body, such as regulating body processes, maintain cellular health and reproduction. While these are already present in our dietary intake, they may not always cover for the exact proportion of the nutrient content required by the body. This is where vitamin supplements come into play. How do they work in the body? There are several kinds of vitamins used by the human body and each work in its own unique way. Vitamin A for instance, helps boost vision and the immune system of the body. It also maintains the health of the skin and the mucous membrane. Vitamin B provides energy to the body, and also maintains the health of the hair, skin, mouth, muscles and liver. It also aids in the breaking fats and proteins. Vitamin C is a vital vitamin requirement of the body, as it helps in the production of collagen – a key ingredient of connective tissues. Connective tissues are present in nearly every part of the body, so its availability and production are crucial. Vitamin D aids in the growth of teeth and bones by helping the body absorb phosphorus and calcium. There are several other classes of vitamins, all of which play vital biological roles in the human body. How do vitamins help athletes? Athletes are always engaged in exercises which can put strain the metabolic pathways. This causes loss of nutrients. In order to stay fit and build body and stamina, the nutrient requirements of athletes are higher. Of all the vitamin classes, the deficiency f Vitamins B and D are deemed the most crucial, along with some minerals like iron, magnesium and zinc. Is use of CBD legal in sports? CBD for fitness is an idea which is slowly gaining acceptance in the sporting fraternity. CBD oil for sports contains terpenes, nutritious fatty acids and several vitamins and minerals. Although not adequately researched, some practitioners believe that these phytocannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system of the human body. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory properties and non-psychoactive nature have led some athletes to claim that cannabinoids help them recover from their injuries faster. Recently, some sports governing bodies have taken a stand to delist CBD from the list of banned products, considering that its use is not adequately reported to enhance a sportsperson’s performance. Apparently, legal CBD edibles for athletes are now available in the market. Notwithstanding the beneficial effects of CBD, the side effects of the same are yet to be fully understood. Can CBD cure joint pain? Joint pain is a common complaint about many athletes. Recently, the use of CBD oil for joint pains is picking up. It should be remembered though that the use of CBD comes with certainly reported side-effects, all of which have not yet been fully investigated. The most commonly reported side-effects include changes in blood pressures and heart rates, nauseating sensations and a general restlessness. Given the yet unexplored territory of medicine, use of CBD oil for joint pains should thus be made with extreme caution.