There's a vitamin for practically every letter in the alphabet, even a few with the same letter. Why are there so many vitamins? Because vitamins perform a lot of functions in the body. For example, vitamin A is a moisturizer for your skin and mucous membranes and also aids vision. Meanwhile, vitamin C is responsible for intracellular maintenance of bone, capillaries, and teeth, and vitamin E protects polyunsaturated fats and prevents cell membrane damage.

Simplify your thinking about vitamins by remembering that the best way to get essential vitamins is through your food. So if you're eating right (according to your size, degree of stress, and exercise-level requirements), chances are you're getting most of the vitamins you need. With our demanding lifestyles and reliance on more packaged and processed foods, however, vitamin supplements can be helpful.

Some Supplements to Consider

Minerals like vitamins are necessary to aid and induce a number of vital bodily functions.

• Vitamin C supports healing, reduces swelling, repairs tissue, and keeps ligaments and tendons strong.

• Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, assists in the breakdown of carbohydrates and fats to provide energy for working muscles.

• Calcium aids in building strong bones, teeth, blood clotting, and nerve and muscle function.

• Magnesium aids in bone growth as well as nerve, muscle, and enzyme function.

• Bromelain helps reduce swelling, especially when taken with turmeric.

• Zinc is important for bone health and tissue repair.

• Phosphorous aids in the development of bones, teeth, and energy transfer.

• Omega-3 fatty acids, such as flax or fish oils, are natural anti-inflammatories.

Unfortunately, eating a healthy diet is not as easy as taking a lot of supplements. In fact, overdoing any minerals or vitamins can be dangerous, disrupting your body's balance in any of these areas.