Vitamins

Vitamin B12 is a hot topic in the vegan community since it’s one of the few nutrients hard to obtain on an entirely plant-based diet. That doesn’t mean meat-eaters should gloat, though: Many omnivores suffer from B12 deficiency as well. So what is B12, why is it important for health, and how do you know if you’re getting enough?

The word “antioxidant” is thrown around a lot in the health and wellness space. But what does it really mean? Why are antioxidants good for you? Are there any you should avoid? And which foods and beverages pack the most beneficial antioxidant punch?

The nutrient choline is essential for human health. But most people understand very little about this crucial compound. In this article, we’ll examine what choline is, how much you need, and what the best sources are. We’ll take a look at the controversies over whether plant-based eaters are at risk of choline deficiency, explore whether supplements are needed, and find out what might happen if you get too much choline.

Vitamin A is crucial to life and health, and most of us can synthesize all we need from orange and yellow fruits and vegetables and leafy greens. Despite that, it’s often portrayed as a nutrient best sourced from animals or via a supplement. What does vitamin A do in the body? What are the best sources for it, how much do we really need, and what happens when we get too much or not enough?

We all want healthy-looking skin, but many of the “anti-aging” products on the market give you a temporary youthful appearance while actually compromising the health of your skin. Some could even be carcinogenic! A popular anti-wrinkle compound, retinol, shows great promise, but also comes with significant risks and side effects. Is there a natural and plant-based approach that actually works?

Vitamin E is one of the antioxidant heroes of our diet, helping to support immunity, fight free radicals, and possibly prevent heart disease, cancer, and cognitive decline. But does that mean you should take vitamin E supplements, or try to get vitamin E largely from your diet? And what are the best food sources of this powerhouse nutrient?

The B vitamins are commonly grouped together as “B-complex,” but each one plays a unique role in your everyday health, metabolism, and body functions. Here’s why the B vitamins are so important, which ones may deserve extra attention, and where you can find them on a plant-based diet.

Folate is perhaps best known as a critical nutrient during pregnancy, but it serves important roles in your health throughout your lifespan. Here’s what folate does, where to find it, how much you need, and how it differs from folic acid.

Vitamin K may not get as much attention as some of the other vitamins, but that doesn’t make it any less important. Stranded in the middle of the alphabet, it plays several important roles in your health. Here’s what you need to know about what vitamin K does for your body, how much you need, and where to get it.

Vitamin D has been making headlines as an immunity booster, but it’s so much more than that. This misunderstood compound — produced when sunlight hits our skin — is crucial for health in many other ways. But how much vitamin D do you need, where can you find it, and why is it so important to get enough? Here’s what you need to know about the role of vitamin D in your health.

Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones. It can cause them to become so brittle that they fracture easily. Osteoporosis-related fractures especially impact the hip, wrist, or spine, and in severe cases, can be caused by a cough or even by bending over. Fortunately, there are important lifestyle habits you can practice to preserve your bone strength and keep osteoporosis at bay. Here’s what the science tells us.

Vitamin C may be most commonly associated with oranges, but there is much more to the vitamin C story. Here’s what you need to know about vitamin C and what it does for your immune system.