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Value = Affordability +
Absorbability
The Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary defines "vitamin" as:
vitamin: any of various organic substances that are
essential in minute quantities to the nutrition of most animals and some
plants, act esp. as coenzymes and precursors of coenzymes in the regulation
of metabolic processes but do not provide energy or serve as building units,
and are present in natural foodstuffs or sometimes produced within the body.
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.
Vitamins are smallish molecules (Vitamin B12 is the largest,
with a molecular weight of 1,355) that your body needs to
keep itself running properly. The body can produce its own Vitamin D, but generally
vitamins must be provided in food. The human body needs 13 different vitamins:
- Vitamin A (fat soluble, retinol) comes from beta-carotene in
plants; when you eat beta-carotene, an enzyme in the stomach turns it into
Vitamin A.
- Vitamin B (water soluble, several specific vitamins in the
complex)
- Vitamin C (water soluble, ascorbic acid)
- Vitamin D (fat soluble, calciferol)
- Vitamin E (fat soluble, tocopherol)
- Vitamin K (fat soluble, menaquinone)
- Pantothenic acid (water soluble)
- Biotin (water soluble)
In most cases, the lack of a vitamin causes severe problems. The following list
shows diseases associated with the lack of different vitamins:
- Lack of Vitamin A: Night blindness, xerophthalmia
- Lack of Vitamin B1: Beriberi
- Lack of Vitamin B2: Problems with lips, tongue, skin,
- Lack of Vitamin B3: Pellagra
- Lack of Vitamin B12: Pernicious anemia
- Lack of Vitamin C: Scurvy
- Lack of Vitamin D: Rickets
- Lack of Vitamin E: Malabsorption of fats, anemia
- Lack of Vitamin K: Poor blood clotting, internal bleeding
A diet of fresh, natural food usually provides all of the vitamins that
you need. Processing tends to destroy vitamins, so many processed foods are
fortified with man-made vitamins.
There are some vitamins that everyone, regardless of age or lifestyle should take
everyday. These vitamins are essential for
good health as they are utilized throughout the
body.
Vitamin
A
helps to maintain healthy vision, keep your skin healthy and boost your
immune system.
Vitamin A is one vitamin that can be overdosed; but that problem can be easily
avoided by using Betacarotine as the source.
Betacarotine is actually two vitamin A molecules
connected together. When the body needs more
vitamin A it will break the bond and utilize the
vitamin A.The body will only utilize the
betacarotine that it needs. Any excess will
simply be eliminated. Vitamin A works closely with zinc as it promotes growth, strong bones, and healthy skin. It also can improve eyesight and improve acne.
The B-Complex Vitamins
are water-soluble
vitamins involved in nearly every function of the
body. They play a key role in breaking down
food and forming healthy red blood cells. It's
best to take the B vitamins together as taking too
much or too little of one can throw the others out
of balance.
Vitamin B12 - This vitamin enhances
muscle strength, provides energy and helps your nerves function properly. Insufficient amounts of vitamin B12 can lead to health complications such as
fatigue, weak muscles and severe depression. This vitamin needs folic acid,
another B vitamin, in order to be digested. Folic acid also requires
Vitamin B12 in order for it to be absorbed. Therefore, when
supplementing with Vitamin B12, Folic acid should also be taken.
Vitamin C -
Vitamin C serves a
number of purposes such as healing wounds, boosting your immune system,
protecting artery linings and preventing cataracts. Too much vitamin C
will give one diarrhea. How do you know how much Vitamin C to take?
If you feel a cold coming on, you can take up to 5000 mg daily- if you start
getting "loose" just cut back a little. Remember, the RDA is
only the amount needed to survive, not the amount needed to fight disease or
to achieve optimal health.
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 D supplements
are helpful for babies who are breastfed since breastfeeding does not
provide adequate amounts of this vitamin. Vitamin D has also been known to
help fight osteoporosis as it is necessary for the absorption of calcium.
Vitamin E -
This vitamin is known to
help protect against heart disease and some forms of cancer. It also boosts
the immune system and helps in healing injuries and wounds. Some studies
prove that this vitamin also helps boost the immune system of elderly
people.
Vitamin K -
Vitamin K strengthens
bones and is known to help fight osteoporosis.
Two excellent sources for all your vitamin needs
are
DoctorsTrust.com and
Vitacost.com .
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