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Vitamins.(Senior Health Advisor)
- Article from:
- Clinical Reference Systems
- Article date:
- November 1, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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What are vitamins?
Vitamins are chemicals needed in tiny amounts to keep you healthy. For example, you have probably heard of vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K. You get vitamins from food, and some are made by the body.
More than 200 years ago, it was found that a serious disease called scurvy could be prevented on long sea voyages by giving sailors citrus fruit each day. Scurvy and other diseases are caused by a lack of vitamins. Fruit provides vitamins and can help prevent such diseases.
A healthy diet is the best way to ensure proper nutrition. However, because older adults have a slower metabolism, they may not have a big appetite and may not ...