Archive for the ‘Vitamins’ Category

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All Types of Vitamins

Sunday, January 16th, 2011

Vitamins (combination of two words: Vital Amines) are the complex organic substance essential in small quantities to the metabolism (nutrition) in most animals. These are found in minute quantities in food, in some cases are produced by the body, and are also produced synthetically. The human body needs them to work properly, so that we can grow and develop just like we should. Their deficiency results in many serious disorders.

Vitamins are divided into two major groups: the ‘fat-soluble vitamins’ designated as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K, and the ‘water-soluble vitamins’ which include vitamin C and the group of molecules referred to as the vitamin B complex. Each of them has its own special role in the development of human body.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin, plays a really big part in eyesight and helps us to see in dim light and also at night. Vitamin A is also involved in the formation and maintenance of healthy skin, hair, and mucous membranes. In addition, it is necessary for proper bone growth, tooth development, reproduction and for the development of epithelial cells (that line any opening to the body e.g.; nose, throat, lungs, mouth, stomach, intestines and urinary tract). Vitamin A can be found in eggs, milk, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, fish oil, liver (pork, lamb, chicken, turkey or beef), butter, broccoli, apricots, nectarines, cantaloupe, and orange or yellow vegetables or fruits. The deficiency of vitamin A can cause two major disorders like: night blindness and drying of skin.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B itself is a complex of different vitamins like: B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, biotin and pantothenic acid. These B vitamins are very important in metabolic activity and in facilitating the red blood cell (which carry oxygen throughout your body). They also help your body make protein and energy.

The sources of vitamin B are leafy green vegetables seafood, beans, peas, citrus fruits, whole grains (such as wheat and oats), poultry, meats, eggs and dairy products (like milk and yogurt). Some bacteria in our large intestine also prepare some type of B-vitamins. The deficiency of vitamin B can cause the disease “Beri Beri”, cracked lips, weak muscles, malformation of red blood cells, affects normal growth and disturbs the nervous system.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a water-soluble, antioxidant vitamin that is vital to the production of collagen, a protein that gives structure to bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels. It is important for keeping body tissues, such as gums and muscles in good shape and it helps in quick healing of wounds. In addition, it helps protecting the fat-soluble vitamins A and E as well as fatty acids from oxidation.

The vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits (like lemon & orange), cantaloupe, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage and in other fresh fruits and vegetables. The deficiency of vitamin C affects the healthy skin; poor wound healing and can lead to a disease called “Scurvy” which causes bleeding in gums, easy bruising, bumps of coiled hair on the arms and legs, pain in the joints, muscle wasting, and many other problems.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that regulates the formation of bone and the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestine. It helps to control the movement of calcium between bone and blood, and vice versa. It is this vitamin you need for strong bones and teeth. In addition it helps your body absorb the amount of calcium it needs.

Vitamin D can be found in fish liver oil, egg yolks, milk and other dairy products fortified with vitamin D. It is also produced in our body in the presence of ultra violet light and sunlight.

The deficiency of vitamin D can cause weak bones and bowed legs (in children). And its excess can cause loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, headache, depression and deposits of calcium in the kidneys.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin, is essential for the inhibition of oxidation in body tissues, formation of red blood cells, and also prevents breakdown of body tissues. It maintains the body tissues and protects the lungs from becoming damaged by polluted air. This vitamin can be found in whole grains (such as wheat and oat), wheat germ, leafy green vegetables, sardines, egg yolks, nuts, bread, cereals and seeds. The deficiency of this vitamin can cause many diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Information About Vitamin A

Tuesday, November 16th, 2010

Vitamin A

Introduction

Often touted as a miracle vitamin, vitamin A is the secret to great skin, higher immunity levels and holistic growth. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that also improves eyesight, helps strengthen bones, protects the body from heart related diseases, alleviates acne and psoriasis conditions, reduces wrinkles, alleviates respiratory ailments and helps improve measles and glaucoma conditions.

Functions within the body

Retinol, which is a by-product of vitamin A, is responsible for helping the eyes adapt to dark environments easily. Therefore, regular intake of vitamin A can help prevent a condition known as ‘night blindness.’  Retinol acids help regulate genetic conditions and expressions within the body and an adequate intake of vitamin A helps preserve the physiological characteristics of cells in the body. Vitamin A is also an effective agent against any infections as it helps to strengthen the mucous linings, skin, urinary tract and digestive tract, so forming the primary defences against most infections. Whilst vitamin A may be needed for proper growth and development in the body, too little or too much of this vitamin can cause defects in a foetus.  Red blood corpuscles originate from stem cells, which depend on vitamin A to become blood cells. Vitamin A is also responsible for mobilising iron to incorporate it into the form of haemoglobin.

Deficiency conditions

Since vitamin A is required for maintaining eyesight and immunity, a deficiency can cause impaired vision and increased incidence of diseases in the body. Night blindness is one of the foremost conditions caused by a deficiency of this vitamin. When the deficiency is less, it manifests itself as a slight change on conjunctive tissue of the eye. These are Bitot’s spots. In cases where the deficiency has reached more severe proportions, it can cause dryness of the eyes and finally result in ulcers on the cornea, scarring and ultimately blindness in the person.

Children who have lower amounts of vitamin A in the blood tend to get more respiratory diseases as well as diarrhoea. Children who already have a condition of measles or diarrhoea as well as insufficient vitamin A tend to suffer more than children with a healthylevel of vitamin A. In such children, the severity of the infection is more.

Deficiency Symptoms in Adults and Infants

Vitamin A is responsible for the healthy growth of bones and tissues in children. Hence, a reduced level of this vitamin can result in retarding growth in a child. Therefore, the child could develop a growth defect and even dwarfism which is where the body parts fail to grow normally and assume a stunted appearance. Often the face will assume a mongoloid appearance and the facial bones will not develop fully resulting in a distorted facial appearance.

In adults as well as children, a deficiency of vitamin A can cause conditions like night blindness, inflammation in the eyes, inability to see properly at night, dryness of eyes, inflammation in the cornea etc. In addition to conditions associated with the eyes, a person can experience roughness of the skin, dryness and increased presence of wrinkles. Children with insufficient vitamin A are more prone to respiratory ailments as well as urinary tract infections. This can also manifest itself in adults who do not have sufficient vitamin A in their bodies.
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All Vitamins are not Created Equal

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

All Vitamins Are Not Created Equal…

(Are You Getting Your Money’s Worth?)

If you can answer the following questions correctly, you have a basic understanding of why all vitamins are not alike.

1) Which vitamin E is synthetic?

a) d-alpha tocopherol

b) dl-alpha tocopherol

2) Which of the following calcium label claims contains only 93 mg. of actual calcium?

a) Calcium (gluconate)………………………..1,000 mg.

b) Calcium gluconate…………………………..1,000 mg.

3) A quality control lab is not required in a vitamin manufacturing facility.

TRUE or FALSE

4) “Natural Vitamin E” on the label means the vitamin E is 100% natural.

TRUE or FALSE

5) By law, the vitamin potency listed on the label must be matched by the product in the bottle.

TRUE or FALSE

6) Do most vitamin companies manufacture their own products?

YES or NO

The standards under which a vitamin or mineral is manufactured vary greatly from one company to another. There are very few companies that actually manufacture their own products.

Quality standards greatly affect how and whether a supplement is absorbed and utilized by the body. A manufacturer can create a tablet that looks identical to a quality product but is nothing more than a replica. Replicas do not deliver the potency and results you desire.

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Vitamin Benefits

Friday, September 10th, 2010

Vitamin benefits are substantial. From multi vitamins that offer our body all of the missing nutrients we do not get from eating the wrong foods, to supplements that boost energy, stave off disease, increase libido, and build our immunity. There are many different vitamin benefits.

Most doctors will advise you to take a multivitamin supplement. A multivitamin supplement gives us the nutrients we lack in our daily diets. Many of us do not get the proper vitamins that are derived from certain foods for a variety of reasons. In the world of today, everyone is in a hurry and many of us do not eat right. In addition, many essential vitamin benefits are derived from foods that certain people do not like to eat. Our body still needs these vitamins, however, so taking a supplement is one good way to get the nutrients needed without having to eat foods we do not like.

Vitamin benefits vary as do the different types of vitamins themselves. Vitamin A, for example, has many different benefits. It is shown to be a proven antioxidant and can protect against cancer. Vitamin A is also very useful in curing skin disorders, such as acne. It can even reverse cornea damage in some people.

Foods that are high in Vitamin A contain carrots, broccoli, dairy products, greens, peaches, liver, cherries and squash. When taking Vitamin A, one must be careful about overdosing on this vitamin. Symptoms of a Vitamin A overdose include nausea, vomiting, dry skin and fatigue and may even include hair loss.

Another essential vitamin that provides wonderful vitamin benefits is Vitamin B-1. The vitamin benefits of B-1 include helping with respiratory disorders, acne, fatigue, weakness and effectively fighting off many different diseases. Foods that are high in Vitamin B-1 include broccoli, cauliflower, nuts, eggs, rice, asparagus, turkey, peas, and parsley to name a few.

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What is Vitamin B? What are the Benefits of Vitamin B?

Sunday, August 22nd, 2010

There is no single B vitamin, but rather there are eight water soluble vitamins, each of which plays an important role in the cell metabolism process, making up what is known as the B-Complex vitamin. While the B vitamins were once believed to be just a single vitamin, research has showed that these are eight chemically distinct vitamins that can coexist in the same foods, but that can also be found separately in other whole food sources as well. While these eight vitamins can be combined in a supplement known as the vitamin B complex, individual B vitamin supplements are also available. Each of the Vitamin B vitamins is differentiated by a number, and also has its own unique name.

Vitamin B1 – Vitamin B1 is also referred to as Thiamine, and is a water soluble vitamin that is essential for healthy neural function, and metabolism of carbohydrates. The result of a thiamin deficiency in most cases is Beriberi, which is a disease of the nerves and the heart. Less severe deficiencies may result in weight loss, confusion, irritability and malaise. Vitamin B1 can be found in small dosages in many whole food sources including peas, asparagus, cauliflower, yeast, brown rice, oranges, pork, eggs and potatoes.
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