Getting enough vitamins - ReporterNews.com

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In addition to texting, making calls and surfing the Web, you may want to consider using your smartphone â€" yes, your dandy cellphone â€" to help manage your health.

A host of smartphone apps for Android and iPhone devices are currently available. Many can be had for little or no cost. Depending on what health factors you are interested in tracking and learning about, there is likely an app designed to satisfy your needs.

For quick health advice in regard to vitamins and minerals consider an app such as Vitamins Minerals (free) for Android phones or Vitamins & Minerals (free) for iPhone or iPad. The two apps offer users quick access to detailed information about vitamins and minerals. Key focus points include the particular functions of the vitamin or mineral being researched and the sources that the vitamin or mineral can be derived from.

As an example, the Vitamins & Minerals app for iPhone indicates that the functions of vitamin A include vision development and proper cell growth and maintenance. According to the app, sources for vitamin A include organ meats such as liver and giblets; vegetables such as sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, spinach and turnip greens, and melons such as cantaloupe.

For even more detailed information that focuses on the nutritional value and calorie counts of particular food items, smartphone users can download apps such as Calorie Facts â€" Nutrition Lookup (free) for iPhone. This app provides information about several factors of particular food items including caloric ratio, complete list of vitamins and minerals, water content, caffeine content and alcohol content.

Marshall Thompson, nutritional health coach at Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage in Abilene, believes that apps can be useful for providing supplemental information, but that users should also contact health and nutrition professionals in regard to health-related advice and information.

"Every person is different and not everyone will benefit from the same advice," Thompson said. "People interested in information that is tailored specifically for them should contact a professional for advice and then use cellphone apps for follow-up information."

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage on South Clack Street offers a selection of free services to benefit customers seeking health advice. Services at the store include free educational classes and services, free health consultations and free printed information on a list of health topics. The store also offers a community outreach program for local groups and institutions seeking information.

For more information about apps for your particular device, search the Apple App Store and Android's Google Play Store.