Author Question: Does it matter if I get my vitamins from food, or are vitamin supplements just as good? ... (Read 324 times)

D2AR0N · **on:** Aug 21, 2018

Does it matter if I get my vitamins from food, or are vitamin supplements just as good?

Question 2

I just bought some skin lotion that claims that it has vitamin C, and that this helps the skin repair damage. Does it really work this way?

joneynes · **Reply #1 on:** Aug 21, 2018

Answer to Question 1

In general, the vitamins found in supplement pills are well absorbed and utilized by the body, and there is certainly no harm in taking a one-a-day type of vitamin pill. However, it is still important to eat a variety of foods from the various food groups to make sure you are getting plenty of the other important compounds in foods. These include dietary fiber and a variety of other phytochemicals that are needed for optimal health.

Answer to Question 2

No. Although vitamin C is needed by the skin to synthesize collagen (a protein important for skin), the vitamin C must get into cells and participate in protein synthesis for this to occur. Because skin lotions are applied to the outer surface of the skin, and most compounds such as vitamin C are not transported into cells in this way, applying these products does not stimulate protein synthesis and cell regeneration. It only makes the skin feel softer.