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
L-carnitine is synthesized in the body from the amino acids... Read More
HMB stands for beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate. It is a metabolite of... Read More
Lysine is an essential amino acid therefore it must be... Read More
Zma is a unique combination of vitamins and minerals that... Read More
The last year hasn't been a good one for vitamin... Read More
There is no doubt that Omega 3's can not only... Read More
April 14,2005 federal judge Tena Campbell of the federal district... Read More
Are you not feeling any results from your nutritional supplements?Here... Read More
During the past few years, I've become more interested in... Read More
Difficulty sleeping can affect many aspects of life. People who... Read More
This article provides three easy tips for selecting a quality... Read More
Made from cow's milk, whey protein is a pure, all-natural,... Read More
There is a generation called the baby boomers that make... Read More
BCAA stands for branched chain amino acids and is increasingly... Read More
At the moment we are in the grip of an... Read More
Liquid vitamins are the same vitamins that you find in... Read More
Nutrients form the basis for your body, emotional and spiritual... Read More
If you're smart, you should not only be focused on... Read More
Whey proteins drinks, especially shakes, are available in a variety... Read More
ImmunPlex? is an undenatured whey protein isolate that contains many... Read More
According to Dr John Scurr leading Consultant Vascular Surgeon and... Read More
As consumers, we are faced daily with choices about what... Read More
Part 1:A "better nutritional program" means the introduction of foods... Read More
I know protein is good for me, but do I... Read More
Nutritional supplements can play a key role in the health... Read More
maid service near Glenview ..There are a number of pros and cons for vitamin... Read More
Ideally, humans would eat wholly nutritious diets rich in protein,... Read More
The liquid vitamin mineral supplement is a must have for... Read More
It seems today that for every mood swing, inconvenient behavior,... Read More
Creatine is an amino acid that is in meat and... Read More
As much as we would like to deny it, the... Read More
According to Dr John Scurr leading Consultant Vascular Surgeon and... Read More
A 2003 study by the Health Sciences Department of the... Read More
Finding out a little about amino acid basics enables you... Read More
How many pills do you have to take every morning?... Read More
You Need Probiotics For Better Digestion and Overall HealthInside your... Read More
Many people find that after a few weeks, the gains... Read More
You probably know that ladies who are planning on having... Read More
The more I study health and fitness, the more convinced... Read More
With a high cholesterol and heart disease in the family,... Read More
There is a secret vitamin in the neighborhood, wandering around... Read More
At the present time, one out of ten adults have... Read More
Discount Supplement ? what is it?Discount supplement is a term... Read More
Fitness Supplement ? what is it?The term "fitness supplement" is... Read More
Fiber supplements can be tremendously beneficial for IBS sufferers. Although... Read More
We live in a health conscious generation where vitamins and... Read More
Vitamins, like minerals, are an essential part of the function... Read More
Since its discovery in the late 1950???s Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)... Read More
I wanted to write this article because of my sincere... Read More
Hyaluronic acid is available in a variety of products ranging... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |