VITAMINS:
Vitamins are major for Healthy life. Vitamin D may reduce the risk of injuries from falls by more than 20 percent in otherwise healthy men and women age 60 and over. Vitamin D has long been known to strengthen bones, but new studies indicate it also improves muscle strength. The combination makes injuries less likely when people fall. Vitamin D helped whether it was consumed in fortified foods, dairy products or supplements..
There are 13 known vitamins and each have different roles within the body.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A occurs in two principal forms in nature: retinol, which is found only in animal sources, and certain carotenoids, the best known of which is 'beta-carotene' found in carrots and other yellow to red plants. Beta-carotene can be converted to retinol in the body, and it may have a role in protecting against heart disease and cancer.
Vitamin A is essential for vision and adequate growth. Deficiency symptoms include night blindness, hyperkeratinosis of the skin, and xerophthalmia - an eye condition, which if untreated can lead to permanent blindness. Vitamin A deficiency is still widespread in many developing countries.
Vitamin A is found in pumpkins, kumara (sweet potato), apricots, squash, nectarines, peaches, and mangos. It is also found in spinach, broccoli, watercress, asparagus and peas.
The B Group Vitamins
The B group vitamins work as a team to convert food to energy. Vitamin B1 is vital for releasing energy from starchy and sugary foods, while vitamins B2, B6 and niacin help release energy from foods including protein and fats.
If you increase your energy intake, particularly by eating more carbohydrates, your body may need extra vitamin B.
Vitamin B12 and folic acid, together with iron and vitamin C are of major importance to sportsmen and women as they are used in the formation of red blood cells which transport oxygen to the muscles.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
Vitamin B1 is essential for the release of energy especially from carbohydrates, functioning of nerves, brain and muscles.
The best source of this is vitamin is from dried brewers yeast. Other good sources include pork, poultry, cereals, nuts and beans.
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Vitamin B2 is found in all plant and animal cells. It is necessary for the release of energy from food and for healthy vision and skin.
Yeast and liver contain the highest amount of this vitamin. It is also found in other meat, eggs and dairy food.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
This vitamin is required for protein and fat metabolism, red blood cell formation, and the nervous system.
The best sources of this vitamin are liver of beef, pork and chicken. Other sources include cereals, fish, nuts, bananas and wheatgerm.
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
Vitamin B12 is necessary for the formation of red blood cells, a healthy nervous system, and is essential for growth.
This vitamin is stored efficiently by the body so a deficiency can take years to develop. Since it is found primarily in animal products, vegetarians are at risk from deficiency unless they take supplements. In its most extreme form, deficiency can lead to megaloblastic anaemia and irreversible degeneration of the spinal cord.
Vitamin E is found in animal meat, particularly liver, kidney, heart and brain. It is also present in yeast extract.
Biotin
This is needed for the manufacture of fatty acid and glycogen, protein metabolism and growth. It is found in egg yolk, liver, wholegrain cereals, and nuts.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Vitamin C is required for the production of collagen, the 'cement' substance that gives structure to muscles, vascular tissues, bones and cartilage. Deficiency causes a weakening of these tissues (scurvy), resulting in capillary bleeding.
Together with beta-carotene and vitamin E, vitamin C forms the trio of antioxidant vitamins now believed to help prevent degenerative diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
Vitamin C is also commonly used as a natural antioxidant, i.e. it is added to foodstuffs to protect colour, aroma or nutrient content, not for its action as a vitamin.
It is essential for the immune system and there is some evidence to show that extra vitamin C may reduce the severity of respiratory infections.
Vitamin C helps iron absorption. Its role in red blood cell formation also helps to transport essential oxygen to exercising muscles.
It promotes healthy body cells, blood vessels, bones and tissues (e.g. tendons and ligaments). It is also necessary for the manufacture of adrenaline.
Vitamin C is not stored within the body so make sure your diet contains a regular supply. It is found naturally in citrus fruits, blackcurrants, Brussels sprouts, strawberries, mango, sweet peppers, parsley, broccoli, kumara, and cauliflower.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is required for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the diet, and is needed for healthy bone growth. It also plays an important role in the proper functioning of muscles, nerves, and blood clotting.
Vitamin D is produced by the action of sunlight on the skin. It is found in wholemilk, margarine, oily fish, and fortified cereals.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is vital to the formation and normal function of red blood cells and muscles.
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant which helps to protect cells from damage by free radicals.
Polyunsaturated fats in our diets are protected from damage by vitamin E. Polyunsaturated fats, which are found in vegetable and fish oils, are essential for the normal function of cells in the body.
Together with beta-carotene and vitamin C , vitamin E forms the trio of antioxidant vitamins now believed to have a preventive effect on degenerative diseases such as heart disease or cancer.
The largest sources of vitamin E are vegetable oils including peanut, soya, palm, sunflower etc. Other sources include nuts, seeds, whole grains and leafy green vegetables.
Folic acid
Folic acid plays an important role in the metabolism of desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), the carriers of genetic information in all living things. It is necessary for the formation of red blood cells and regulating growth cells.
Severe folic acid deficiency in humans results in megaloblastic anaemia. Folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube birth defects when consumed in adequate amounts by women before and during early pregnancy. For this reason, the enrichment of cereal products with folic acid is compulsory in the USA.
Folates are found in a wide variety of foods. The richest sources are liver, dark green leafy vegetables, beans, wheat germ and yeast. Other sources are egg yolk, fortified cereal, milk and dairy products.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is needed primarily for the blood-clotting mechanism which prevents bleeding to death from cuts and wounds or internal bleeding.
The best plant sources of vitamin K are green leafy vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, cabbage and lettuce. Other sources include tomatoes, potatoes, oats, egg yolk, asparagus, butter and cheese.
Niacin
In the body, niacin is responsible for using the energy provided by food. Niacin is essential for growth and is involved in the production of hormones in the body.
Yeast, liver, poultry, lean meats, nuts and legumes contribute the largest amounts of niacin in food. Milk and green leafy vegetables contain smaller amounts.
Pantothenic acid
Pantothenic acid belongs to the group of B vitamins. It plays a key role in the maintenance and repair of all cells and tissues, the metabolism of fats and carbohydrate, and healthy skin and hair growth.
Pantothenic acid requires vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid and biotin in order to function properly.
It is found in vegetables, liver, yeast extract, kidney, eggs, nuts and bread.
http://www.starherb.com
http://www.starherb.com
Minerals are essential to maintain our bodies in top condition... Read More
The more I study health and fitness, the more convinced... Read More
Although creatine offers an array of benefits, most people think... Read More
Taurine is the second most abundant amino acid in the... Read More
Since the release of a book called" beat chronic fatigue... Read More
With dietary supplements making their way in our daily life,... Read More
Vitamin B is no small time player in the high... Read More
Perhaps you first read riboflavin at the back of a... Read More
Carbohydrate blockers seem to have come and gone with the... Read More
Some fitness adherents are supplement crazy and spend money like... Read More
Did you know that there are free radical biochemical "terrorists"... Read More
Simply stated, the Greek word glyco refers to "sweet." Hence,... Read More
L glutamine is an amino acid occurring abundantly within the... Read More
Simply stated, the Greek word glyco refers to "sweet." Hence,... Read More
Vitamins are organic compounds that the human body cannot produce... Read More
With dietary supplements making their way in our daily life,... Read More
L-tyrosine is a protein that the body produces from phenylamine,... Read More
Extensive research studies show that taking vitamin and mineral supplements... Read More
Hyaluronic acid, a key component of human tissue, aiding the... Read More
Do you ever wonder why the experts keep saying that... Read More
According to Dr John Scurr leading Consultant Vascular Surgeon and... Read More
Hormones are chemical messengers made up of amino acids and... Read More
At the moment we are in the grip of an... Read More
Many people take amino acids for height growth these days.... Read More
Whey protein is a high quality powder made from cow's... Read More
shuttle from Midway Munster are ..If you think that smoking is a harmless little hobby... Read More
As with most nutrients and minerals, zinc is often ignored... Read More
If you're constantly digging your hand into a jar of... Read More
Vitamin supplement ratings quite clearly show just how popular nutritional... Read More
Suppose you can turn back the hands of time to... Read More
Anti aging has become the latest craze.Wherever we look at,... Read More
Every minute of every day the cells of our... Read More
Over the past few years, Coral Calcium has received a... Read More
Turmeric, in all honesty is not a vitamin, but it... Read More
With a high cholesterol and heart disease in the family,... Read More
Actually, my headache is not the result of just thinking... Read More
There are so many different whey protein powder products on... Read More
Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid plays a supporting role in... Read More
I have frequently heard alcoholics who are in early recovery... Read More
AMLA ( EMBLICA OFFICINALIS ) FOR HEALTH AND BEAUTYAMLA, proudly... Read More
Vitamins are organic compounds that the human body cannot produce... Read More
Herbal supplements have become hugely popular over the years, and... Read More
For years now we have heard that supplementing our diets... Read More
I have good news for you! The answer is both... Read More
VITAMINS:Vitamins are major for Healthy life. Vitamin D may reduce... Read More
Unverified reports claiming that unprotected, intentional sun exposure is necessary... Read More
Many people take amino acids for height growth these days.... Read More
It's absolutely crucial that your body gets the nutrients it... Read More
Since Dr Basant Puri, a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer... Read More
There are a host of choices for supplementing your Ironman... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |