Vitamins play a crucial role in keeping the body functioning at its best, yet they’re often misunderstood. From supporting energy levels and immunity to aiding growth and development, vitamins are involved in almost every biological process. Understanding the science behind vitamins helps explain not only why we need them, but also why the quality and formulation of supplements matter.
This guide breaks down how vitamins work, why some people may need supplementation, and what sets thoughtfully formulated brands apart.
What Are Vitamins and Why Does the Body Need Them?
Vitamins are organic compounds the body needs in small amounts to function properly. Unlike macronutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, vitamins don’t provide energy directly. Instead, they help regulate processes like:
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Converting food into energy
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Supporting immune function
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Maintaining healthy bones, skin, and blood
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Aiding brain and nervous system function
Because the body either cannot produce vitamins at all—or cannot produce enough—most must come from diet or supplementation.
Fat-Soluble vs Water-Soluble Vitamins
From a scientific standpoint, vitamins fall into two main categories:
Fat-Soluble Vitamins (A, D, E, K)
These are stored in the body’s fat tissues and liver. Because they accumulate over time, consistent but appropriate intake is important.
Water-Soluble Vitamins (B-complex and C)
These are not stored in large amounts and are excreted through urine, meaning they need to be replenished more regularly.
Understanding this distinction is one reason supplement form, dosage, and consistency matter—especially for growing children or people with restricted diets.
Why Diet Alone Isn’t Always Enough
In theory, a balanced diet can provide most essential vitamins. In practice, modern lifestyles, soil depletion, food processing, and dietary preferences can make this challenging.
For those following plant-based or vegan diets, nutrients such as:
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Vitamin B12
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Iron
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Omega-3 fatty acids
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Vitamin D
may require extra attention. This isn’t a flaw of plant-based eating—it’s simply biology. Some nutrients are less abundant or less bioavailable in plant foods, making supplementation a practical and science-backed solution.
How Supplements Actually Work
A supplement’s effectiveness depends on several scientific factors:
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Bioavailability (how well the body absorbs and uses the nutrient)
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Form of the vitamin or mineral
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Dosage and consistency
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Supporting ingredients
For example, pairing iron with vitamin C improves absorption, while certain forms of vitamins are gentler and easier for the body to process. This is where formulation becomes just as important as the ingredient list.
What Makes Vegums Vitamins Different?
Not all supplements are created equal. Vegums takes a science-led approach to plant-based supplementation, focusing on both effectiveness and accessibility.
What sets Vegums apart includes:
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Plant-based formulations designed specifically for vegan and plant-focused lifestyles
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Targeted nutrient profiles that reflect real dietary gaps, not unnecessary extras
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Family-friendly gummy formats, making consistency easier for both adults and children
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Thoughtful ingredient choices, avoiding animal-derived ingredients while prioritising quality
Vegums understands that the best supplement is the one people actually take. By combining evidence-based nutrition with enjoyable formats, Vegums supports long-term adherence—an often-overlooked part of nutritional science.
Vitamins, Children, and Growing Bodies
From a scientific perspective, children have unique nutritional needs. Rapid growth, brain development, and immune system maturation all depend on adequate vitamin intake.
Gummy supplements, when responsibly formulated, can help bridge nutritional gaps without turning supplementation into a daily struggle. This is especially relevant in plant-based households, where ensuring sufficient intake of nutrients like B12 and iron is essential.
The Future of Vitamin Science
Vitamin science continues to evolve. Research increasingly supports:
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Personalised nutrition
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Cleaner formulations with fewer unnecessary additives
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Supplements designed around real-world diets, not idealised ones
Brands that align science with sustainability and accessibility are shaping the future of nutrition. Rather than megadoses or one-size-fits-all solutions, the focus is shifting toward balanced, practical support.
Final Thoughts
The science behind vitamins is clear: they are essential, powerful, and most effective when delivered in the right form, at the right dose, and taken consistently. Supplements aren’t about replacing a healthy diet—they’re about supporting it.
With plant-based lifestyles on the rise, thoughtfully formulated options like Vegums show how nutrition science, ethics, and everyday convenience can work together. When vitamins are grounded in science and designed for real life, supporting long-term health becomes simpler, smarter, and more sustainable.
