Vitamins for Your Healthier LIfe

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/sp/artindex.asp

---

Getting the Most Out of Your Supplements and Yourself

Are you not feeling any results from your nutritional supplements?Here... Read More

Research on Hyaluronic Acid Knee Injections

Hyaluronic acid, a key component of human tissue, aiding the... Read More

Supplements and Vitamins - Can They Enhance Your Weight Loss Goals?

Nutritional supplements can play a key role in the health... Read More

Nutritional Supplements: The Amazing Vitamin C

The real facts about Vitamin C may surprise you. First... Read More

GABA: An Inexpensive, Natural, and Effective Way to Increase HGH

Suppose you can turn back the hands of time to... Read More

Nutrition Supplements for Aging Americans

While America has given birth to the song "Young at... Read More

The Effectiveness of Vitamin C

We all know that vitamin C is one of the... Read More

Popular Applications of Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid has received much press lately as a natural... Read More

Omega 3 Fish Oil EPA and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Since the release of a book called" beat chronic fatigue... Read More

Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - HMB

HMB stands for beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate. It is a metabolite of... Read More

Why We Do Not Sell Coral Calcium

Since coral calcium is one of he hottest products on... Read More

Dietary Supplement Vitamin

Dietary Supplement Vitamin - why is it important?Dietary supplement vitamin... Read More

Beyond Vitamins and Minerals - Glyconutrients

It is well known and scientifically proven that vitamins and... Read More

New Health Miracle -- Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oil

"High-dose pharmaceutical-grade fish oil is as close to a medical... Read More

Amino Acids Primer

Ever wondered whether amino acid supplements really work? We reveal... Read More

What are Glyconutrients?

Simply stated, the Greek word glyco refers to "sweet." Hence,... Read More

Vitamins for the Recovering Alcoholic

I have frequently heard alcoholics who are in early recovery... Read More

CortiCarb3000 Reviewed: Does It Perform As Promised?

Carbohydrate blockers seem to have come and gone with the... Read More

L-Carnitine For Health & Muscle Growth: What You Need To Know About L-Carnitine

L-carnitine is a nutritional supplement that has been touted by... Read More

Building Muscle Power Through Vitamins and Minerals

The muscles of the body actually depend heavily on the... Read More

The Worst $$$ I Ever Spent . . . Month after Month!

"They", the "experts" all say how important vitamins are -... Read More

Should You Take Gingko Biloba to Improve Your Brain Power?

Have you heard of the herbal supplement with the very... Read More

Vitamin for Boosting your Immune System

Turmeric, in all honesty is not a vitamin, but it... Read More

Revealed! The Secrets of Mangosteen

Do you spend at least some time in your day... Read More

Lower Cholesterol Naturally Using a Smorgasbord of Fiber

With a high cholesterol and heart disease in the family,... Read More

The Benefits of Whey Protein Drinks

Whey proteins drinks, especially shakes, are available in a variety... Read More

More Complete Arthritis Supplement

People accept arthritic disease as a 'natural part of the... Read More

Using Natural Remedies For Constipation

There are two basic types of constipation - organic and... Read More

Introduing Supplements to Your Body & Improving Your Diet - A Guide of What to Expect

Part 1:A "better nutritional program" means the introduction of foods... Read More

Anabolic Steroids and Will They Work for Me?

Unfortunately nobody can tell that question over the internet, but... Read More

Is Ephedra a Miracle Cure?

Americans are buzzing about the FDA's recent decision to reverse... Read More

Body Calling: The Healthiest Women in the World

In September 2004 Orange County, California published an article "OC... Read More

I Love My Glyconutrients

In today's modern world most people, like us, just do... Read More