Many of the foods we eat naturally contain vitamins and other nutrients, while others are fortified, such as milk with added vitamin D. Still, some people may lack certain essential vitamins due to their diet, age, gender, genetics or other factors. To compensate, many take vitamin supplements, including multivitamins that deliver a variety of vitamins and minerals in every dose. 

How do vitamin supplements work in the body? Let’s explore this topic and examine the ongoing controversy surrounding supplement efficacy within medical and scientific communities. 

Vitamin Supplements: The Journey From Ingestion to Absorption 

Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how vitamins travel through the human body: 

1. You swallow the vitamin supplement, and it moves down the esophagus to the stomach. 
2. In the stomach, digestion begins. Digestive acids and enzymes begin to dissolve the supplement, but it’s not fully digested here.
3. The remaining portion travels to the small intestine, where it’s further broken down by digestive enzymes and fluids from the liver and pancreas.
4. In the second and third parts of the small intestine, nutrients from the digested supplement are absorbed into the intestinal lining. From here, the method of entry into the bloodstream depends on the type of vitamin:
   • Water-soluble vitamins (B and C) are absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
   • Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) must be broken down by bile acids before being absorbed. These are then absorbed by the lymphatic system and transported into the bloodstream.
5. The bloodstream carries the beneficial portions of the vitamin to various cells and tissues in the body.
6. Excess water-soluble vitamins and their byproducts exit the body through urine, while remaining fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and fatty tissues for later use.

The Role of Vitamins in Our Bodies 

Vitamins play crucial roles throughout the body, aiding each organ, tissue and cell in different ways. They help: 

• Fight infections 
• Improve vision 
• Build strong bones and muscles 
• Regulate hormones  

Many cells in our bodies, from skin to bone, regenerate regularly to replace old and damaged ones. For example, the outer layer of our skin cells renews about once a month. This regeneration process requires vitamins, whether obtained from food or supplements, making them essential to the normal, healthy functioning of the body. 

Vitamin Supplements: The Controversy  

While taking vitamin supplements may seem beneficial, many experts argue that vitamins in supplement form provide little to no health value compared to those obtained through food. Some point to scant evidence that supplements prevent or cure any major diseases. 

Others contend that the body does absorb beneficial vitamins from supplements but eliminates excess amounts through urination — a potentially favorable scenario. Most experts agree that the best way to obtain vitamins is through a nutrient-rich diet rather than supplements.  

Fortify Your Career Prospects With a Master of Science From UF 

Vitamins, drugs and other compounds can profoundly impact the major human body systems. We examine their beneficial and detrimental effects in the University of Florida’s online Master of Science in Medical Sciences with a concentration in Medical Physiology and Pharmacology, offered through our College of Medicine.  

Built around an MCAT-aligned curriculum, our 30-credit MS program prepares you for medical school or nursing school admission and a variety of rewarding careers in medicine, science, pharmacy and research. 

• Earn your master’s degree entirely online — no campus or lab visits required. 
• Get started with no GRE requirement. 
• Complete coursework at your own pace from practically any location. 
• Maintain your professional commitments. 
• Transfer up to 15 credits from a qualifying UF graduate certificate program.  
• Finish your degree in as little as two semesters.

Choose UF Quality 

UF and its College of Medicine are recognized for their exceptional quality: 

• Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) accreditation 
• Acclaimed faculty consisting of the same noted physicians and researchers who teach UF medical students 
• Multiple rankings, including: 
  • “Best National Universities” (U.S. News & World Report) 
  • “Best Value Schools” (U.S. News & World Report) 
  • “Top Public Schools” (U.S. News & World Report) 
  • “Most Innovative Schools” (U.S. News & World Report)  
  • “Best Colleges in America” (Money)  
  • “America’s Top Online Colleges” (Newsweek) 

 Add a respected master’s degree to your career credentials. Apply today!  

Sources:
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/WYNTK-Consumer/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/is-there-really-any-benefit-to-multivitamins
https://www.prevention.com/life/a20474960/how-to-make-sure-youre-benefiting-from-your-vitamins/
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/which-vitamins-should-you-take
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/7041-digestive-system
https://time.com/6171584/are-vitamins-supplements-healthy/