How Vitamins Work
Why are vitamins so important?
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Taking Vitamin D
Vitamin D is another simple molecule that is incredibly important. We actually have the ability to produce vitamin D in our skin. To do it we have
to have regular exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Without enough sun exposure, people get different ailments depending on their age. Modern humans can often spend days at a time indoors, especially in the winter, with very little sun exposure, So we add vitamin D to milk and other foods.
A damaged gene?
You have probably noticed that dogs have no need for citrus fruits. They, like most animals, produce their own vitamin C molecules. Human beings lost this ability. Apparently, at some point, the vitamin C gene was damaged. We inherited this damaged gene, so humans must get vitamin
C from food.
We still have a lot to learn about vitamins. Many people believe that if you take massive amounts of vitamin C, there is a health benefit. Is this true?
Recent research suggests that it probably is not true.
There may be a few other vitamins lurking out there waiting to be discovered.
Word Bank
exposure (n) 暴露;揭露
Often in a fire, one's exposure to smoke is more dangerous than the flames.
ailment (n) (常指轻微的)病痛
This book will teach you how to treat minor ailments, so you don't have to go to the doctor all the time.
gene (n) 基因;遗传因子
Some diseases can be passed down through one's genes.
massive (adi) 大量的;大规模的
People couldn't drive for a day after the massive snowstorm. Even the schools were closed.
More Information
ultraviolet ray(n)紫外线
citrus(adj) 柑橘属植物的