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And the news is --- discount vitamins really are for just about everyone! Young, old, male, female, healthy or not, vitamins can enhance almost every person's quality of life. This does not mean that one single vitamin, or one specific mineral is going to be the answer for everyone. But it does mean that almost all of us can benefit from the research and knowledge we have at our finger tips, to select those discount vitamins that are right for each of us. Throughout the life cycle, as our bodies grow and change, our needs for various vitamins and supplements also change.

We might begin to think about a baby before it is born, and how that baby's mother can benefit from taking a top-quality discount multivitamin. Whatever nutritional needs a pregnant woman has that are not met by what she eats can be met by the judicious addition of a multivitamin each day. Also, we have learned that folic acid, which is the B9 vitamin, is particularly essential during pregnancy. Folic acid assists in the formation of the brain and spinal cord of a fetus. Pregnant women who do not have enough folic acid are much more likely to give birth prematurely or to have babies who have a low birth weight.

Once a baby arrives, parents can provide discount multivitamins for their children. Children who begin solid foods at the age of six months are known to benefit from an easy-to-take liquid form of multivitamins. Infants who have an adequate supply of vitamins and essential minerals are less susceptible to viruses, which cause the common cold, as well as secondary infections. Overall, these infants are healthier, their bodies are better able to grow and mature, and they are better equipped to resist disease.

In the age of fast food restaurants and highly processed foods, parents can relax when they are assured that a child is still getting the proper vitamins. Our intentions to feed our children well, on a daily basis, can sometimes be thwarted, either by choice or by chance. When we look to discount vitamins, those of top quality as well as economical, to supplement our children's diets, we are making a wise decision.

As children go through various growing phases, their nutritional needs, and well as their food preferences, can change rapidly. How many of us have seen a child who decides to eat only one or two favorite foods for what seems like months? Because children's bodies and immune systems are not as developed as those of adults, the effects of vitamin deficiencies are sometimes magnified. For instance, babies who do not get enough vitamin D can suffer from brittle bones, delayed teething, or bowed or knocked knees.

Teenagers also need specific vitamins and minerals. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration stresses the importance of adequate iron and calcium in the teen years. Inadequate iron in the diet can result in anemia, and negatively affect a youth's alertness and energy levels. Bone mass increases in these formative years requires an adequate supply of calcium. For all teens, the Mayo Clinic offers of the guideline of at least 1,300 milligrams per day of calcium

As adults, we need to be aware of the role of vitamins in disease prevention. Vitamin A, for instance, contributes to the healthiness of our skin and mucous membranes, which serve as barriers to bacteria and viruses. Vitamin E in conjunction with vitamin C has been shown to improve cholesterol levels and to slow progression of heart disease.

Women, as they age and have decreasing hormone levels, are vulnerable to a thinning of the bones and osteoporosis. Calcium and additional vitamin D can offset and help avoid these problems. While men do not run as great a risk of osteoporosis as women, adequate calcium intake and utilization is important to both men and women to avoid high blood pressure. Colon cancer has also been linked to long term insufficiency of calcium.

The Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center, a non-profit organization, studied men's use of multivitamins and their use of vitamins A, C, E and calcium, iron and zinc. Men who took daily doses of vitamins C or E had over a 20 percent lower risk of prostate cancer. Men who had taken zinc daily decreased their risk by 45 percent. The Center notes that while the results of their testing need to be investigated further, the study does support the idea that some vitamins and minerals may influence prostate-cancer risk.

More and more people, from children to older adults, are interested in maintaining a vegetarian or more-nearly vegetarian diet. While this can lead to healthy decrease in consumption of saturated fats, it can also make a person more susceptible to certain vitamin deficiencies. Most plant derived foods do not contain vitamins A, B6 and B12. These vitamins, which are essential to the body, are especially needed in times of rapid growth and physiological stress. Whatever the age of the vegetarian, supplementing such a diet with discount vitamins can lead to better overall health and prove economical as well.

As we age, the risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) increases. With people living longer, AD now presents a major health problem. Antioxidants, including vitamins E and C, can help to reduce the incidence of AD in the elderly. While citrus fruits and fresh vegetables are the best dietary sources of these vitamins, it appears they do not contain enough to prevent Alzheimer's. With discount vitamins, which are even more affordable than ever for those of us on a limited income, we can take steps to avoid this tragic and late-life disease.

Staying aware of scientific discoveries and research, to assist us in making wise health choices, is more important than ever in a complex and changing world. Maintaining our health and the health of those we love is one of the most important things any one of us can do. Throughout the life cycle, beginning in the womb, and continuing through old age, we can all benefit from discount vitamins and supplements.