Why are vitamins necessary?
Vitamins are required for normal metabolic function; development of normal tissues; and health, growth, and maintenance. Some vitamins can be produced within the pig’s body in sufficient quantities to meet its needs. Others are present in adequate amounts in feed ingredients commonly used in swine diets. However, several vitamins need to be added to swine diets to obtain optimal performance. Vitamin needs are more critical today than in previous years because of the use of simple diets containing fewer ingredients and confinement facilities.
Natural Sources of Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamin / Mineral Significant Food sources
Vitamin A Mango, broccoli, carrots, tomato juice, sweet potato, pumpkin, beef liver
Vitamin C Spinach, broccoli, snow peas, tomato juice, mango, orange, grapefruit juice, strawberries, red bell peppers
Vitamin E Polyunsaturated plant oils, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, avocado, sweet potato, shrimp, cod
Selenium Seafood, meats, grains
Vitamins for kids
* Vitamin A*: Important for your child’s development and growth, eyesight and healthy skin.
Good natural sources: Cheese, eggs, oily fish, milk, fortified margarine and live yoghurt.
* Please consult your GP if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, as too much vitamin A could be harmful to unborn and newborn babies.
Do you get the vitamins and minerals you pay for?
Ever wonder if you are getting all the nutrition you need? All the vitamins? All the minerals? All the enzymes? All the herbs? Everything you pay for?
Chances are you don’t. We try to eat healthy, but the hectic pace of life and the temptations of sweets and fast food sometimes get the better of us. Most people just don’t get the vitamins and minerals they need to keep healthy.
