Vitamins

 

The human body needs vitamins to function properly. Vitamins are found in food, produced by the body, and synthetically manufactured. Their deficiency results in many serious disorders.

 

Fat-soluble vitamins - vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K, are stored in the liver and fatty tissues. Because they are stored in the body they can accumulate over time and pose a risk for toxicity when too much is taken

Vitamin A
Vitamin A, also called retinol and beta-carotene (which converts to vitamin A in the body), Fights infections, maintains eye health assisting us to see in the dark.  Vitamin A is helps with the formation and maintenance of healthy skin and hair. The eyes, mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, throat and lungs use vitamin A to remain moist. Vitamin A is also needed 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 dairy products, eggs, fish oil, chicken, turkey, beef, pork, lamb and liver. Beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body can be found in carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, winter squash, , broccoli, nectarines, cantaloupe, dark green leafy vegetables and apricots.

A deficiency of vitamin A can cause night blindness and drying of skin.

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.

 

Water-soluble vitamins - vitamin B complex vitamins and vitamin  C

 

Vitamin B complex

Consists of several different vitamins: B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin (B3), folic acid, biotin and pantothenic acid (B5). These B vitamins aid the body in making protein and energy. They are very important in metabolic activity and in facilitating the red blood cell (which carry oxygen throughout your body).

 

B1 –Thiamin - supports nerve and heart health and aids in energy production.

 

B2- Riboflvin – helps heal rosacea and may prevent migrains

 

B3 – Niacin – essential for cell respiration, assists  in energy discharge, helps to metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, aids in proper circulation, maintaining healthy skin, functioning of the nervous system, and normal secretion of bile and stomach fluids. It is used in treating some mental illnesses, and as a memory-enhancer.

 

B5 – Pantothenic Acid - Strengthens nerves, promotes energy from fat metabolism, necessary for growth, reproduction, and normal physiological functions.

B6 - Pyridixine -maintains nervous system health, is required for the balancing of hormonal changes in women, used in the processing and metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, assists with mood and behavior.

B 9 – Folic Acid - required for DNA synthesis and cell growth, prevents birth defects, assist with energy production and red blood cell formation.

 

B12 – cyanocobamin – releases energy, helps manufacture and maintain red blood cells, stimulates appetite, promotes growth assist in preventing mental deterioration and helps with speeding up thought processes.

Vitamin H - biotin - is used in cell growth, the production of fatty acids, metabolism of fats, and proteins. It plays a role in the the process in which energy is released from food.

PABA - is used to improve the protein used in the body, it relates to red blood cell formation as well as assisting the manufacture of folic acid in the intestines. Para-aminobenzoic acid is used in sunscreen preparations since it can help protect the skin against ultra-violet radiation.

Choline - assists in controlling your weight as well as cholesterol levels, keeping cell membranes healthy and in preventing gallstones. It is also most useful in the maintenance of the nervous system, assisting memory and learning. It is the major precursor of betaine, and it is used by the kidneys to maintain water balance and by the liver as a source of methyl-groups for methionine formation. It assists in nerve impulse transmission, gallbladder regulation, liver functions and lecithin production.

Inositol - plays an important part in the health of cell membranes especially the specialized cells in the brain, bone marrow, eyes and intestines. The function of the cell membranes is to regulate the contents of the cells, which makes effective functioning possible. It is said to promote healthy hair, hair growth, and helps in controlling estrogen levels and may assist in preventing breast lumps.

 

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.

 

Warning!

Nothing here is meant to treat or cure any illness or disease. Dietary supplements are not to be used to prevent or treat any disease. The Statements on this web page have not been evaluated by the FDA. Any information provided on this website is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical practitioner. Individuals are advised not to self-medicate in the presence of significant illness. If you are sick or suffering from illness or disease please contact your health care provider.This site does not advise administration of supplements to children and no supplements should be taken in pregnancy without professional advice.