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How do vitamins work? - Ginnie Trinh Nguyen

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Vitamins are the building blocks that keep our bodies running; they help build muscle and bone, capture energy, heal wounds and more. But if our body doesn’t create vitamins, how do they get into our system? Ginnie Trinh Nguyen describes what vitamins are, how they get into our bodies -- and why they are so crucial.

Additional Resources for you to Explore

Want to know a little bit more about each of the necessary fat-soluble vitamins in your diet? Check out this site and learn the side effects of too much or too little of all these essential vitamins! What can you eat to improve your intake of these necessary parts of a healthy lifestyle? Harvard Medical School has an awesome link that provides a list of vitamins, foods they are found in and an interesting “did you know?” section. Read and learn what you need to change in your diet to improve your overall health!

Scientists and doctors have started to question whether vitamin supplements are necessary. Check out this New York Times article. “Should We Toss Our Vitamin Pills?” For a little debate, read this from Smithsonian Magazine and find out the five key essential vitamin supplements and why they are necessary. Which side offers the most evidence? What do you think?

Check out this cool graphic from Information is Beautiful on scientific evidence for supplements. Click to find out what various natural and vitamin supplements do. Get more knowledgeable by reading the lead scientific study linked to more information. What are superfoods? Click around this graphic on Superfoods. Read the Harvard Health article on “Superfoods” for heart health to find out how to be heart healthy at any age.

Want some information on how to ensure strong bones and teeth for a lifetime. This NPR Morning Edition will give you some ideas. Worried about developing high blood pressure and hypoglycemia? Could low vitamin D levels be the problem? Solve it by reading Low Vitamin D levels? Sardines to the rescue! Does this sound fishy to you? This All Things Considered audio file by NPR will provide all the reasons in the world you may want to add sardines to your diet.

Carl Zimmer adds some insight into how humans became so dependent on vitamins in the article, “Vitamin’ Old, Old Edge.” At this link, listen to the Science Times Podcast featuring Carl Zimmer on the “Science of Vitamins.” Using vitamins against our enemies as weapons? Does this concept sound interesting? Read, “Learning from the History of Vitamins,” and discover!

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Ginnie Trinh Nguyen
  • Animator Nadav Arbel
  • Artist Assaf Benharroch
  • Script Editor Emma Bryce
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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