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Article Title: Vitamins – the Basics

Vitamins are micro-nutrients. They were discovered by Eijkman (1897) in Indonesia, Java,while studying a disease called beriberi common among natives whose main diet was rice. He noticed that fowl fed on polished rice, developed beri beri, but not when fed on crudely milled rice.

In 1911 Funk obtained an alcoholic extract of the outer husk of rice which cured beri beri.
This was thought to be a vital amine introducing the name vitamine. The “e” was later dropped to read “vitamin”.

Vitamins Functions And Sources:

As micro nutrients, vitamins are required in small quantities. Generally your body cannot
manufacture or synthesize vitamins from scratch. So you need to get them from the food you eat or from supplement pills. Though, vitamins can be synthesized by some bacteria, yeast, mould, algae and some plant species. Some vitamins like vitamin B5 have been found to be synthesized by bacteria in the human large intestines. However it is not clear if the vitamins are available for absorption and use by the body.

Vitamins are required by the body for a variety of biological processes.

These include growth e.g

Vitamin B6; mental alertness e.g

Choline, Niacin; resistance to infection e.g. Vitamin C and Vitamin E.

They also act as catalysts in the body chemistry as well as precursors to vital body factors. This enables the body to use carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

Vitamins in themselves do not have calories and therefore do not give energy to the body.
Natural vitamins are found in living things that is plants and animals and are organic food substances. There are many artificially synthesized vitamins.

Vitamins exist in varying quantities in an array of food sources from yeasts, wheat bran,
cooked egg that provides Biotin, citrus fruits and milk that provide Vitamin C, green leafy
vegetables and legumes that supply Folic acid .

Vitamin Classification:

There are mainly two types of vitamins classified based on their solubility. These are water soluble and fat soluble vitamins.

i) Water soluble vitamins include :

Vitamin C also called citric acid, Vitamin B1 (thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (niacin), Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), Vitamin B9 (folic acid), Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), Vitamin B12 (cobalamin), Cholin, Biotin.

Water soluble vitamins are not stored in the body in any appreciable amounts. The surplus is washed out mainly through urine. They requires consistent replenishing using the diet we consume. This makes them safe because they do not collect in the body toxic levels, making large doses of vitamin supplementary safe. But caution should still be practiced because mega doses have side effects and even can be fatal.

For example, there is a low risk of vitamin toxicity from nicotinic acid with mega doses.
Nicotinic acid a derivative of vitamin niacin, one may experience flushing, itching, nausea
and vomiting, liver cell damage. So supplement with daily value doses. Do not use megadoses unless under ongoing expert advice.

ii)Fat soluble vitamins includes:

Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Vitamin K. Being fat soluble these vitamins are stored in the fat in our bodies. They can easily accumulate to toxic levels so if you choose to supplement be cautious.

Vitamin Deficiency:

The lack of these food factors i.e vitamins results to deficiency diseases. Vitamin defiency
diseases are a manifestation of malfunctioning bio-chemical processes due to lack of the
vital vitamins. Since the same vitamin may be used in a number of processes, deficiency in some vitamins can be quite serious and even fatal. For example over two hundred enzymes require the niacin vitamin coenzyme. So a lack of niacin makes this two hundred enzymes malfunction.

Vitamin deficiencies have been associated with long term latent deficiency diseases. These
diseases occur after a long time of deficiency of some nutritional factors like vitamins.
Long term latent deficiency diseases can be as severe as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

In our society today, these diseases are becoming the highest health concern. The situation is grave because they are not only preventable but also cheaply preventable. A
proper nutrition is all it takes to get all required nutrients including sufficient quantities of vitamins. General health benefits of vitamins include protection from a variety of diseases and conditions.

In case of a nutritional gap between what your body and what your diet provides,
supplementing is necessary.

Whole foods are and will always be the best source of vitamins. This is because whole foods provide a combination of nutrients to the body including minerals and phytonutrients. But many people do not receive all nutrients they need from their food choices. Either because they cannot or will not eat enough, or they cannot or will not eat right foods. This may be because of medical or physical conditions, your lifestyles, i.e. job, time, availability or even due to poverty. In such cases, supplementation is necessary.

Vitamin Supplementing:

Today’s lifestyles make it more necessary to supplement our diets. There are groups of
people to whom supplementing may really not be a choice.

This will include you if;

i) You are sixty five years and older:- At this age some vitamins are not easily absorbed  by your body system. Multivitamins may improve your immunity and lower risk of some
infections.

ii) You are a post menopausal woman:- Supplement with calcium and vitamin D to help against osteoporosis.

iii) You do not eat the recommended five servings of fruit and vegetables a day.

iv) You are on a low calorie diet. E.g. You are trying to lose weight

v) You smoke -The tobacco interferes and diminishes vitamin uptake of vitamins like vitamin B6, vitamin C, folic acid and even niacin.

Ps: This will not make up for the health risk of smoking.

vi) You drink excessively that is more than a bottle a day. Long term excessive drinking
will reduce absorption of vitamins. Vitamins affected are thiamin (Vitamin B), Folic acid,
Vitamin A & D, as well as Vitamin B12.

vii) You are pregnant or trying to be pregnant.

There is a wide choice of vitamin supplements in the markets to choose from. When choosing vitamins, consider the following:-

a) Bioavailability of the vitamin: Choose vitamins supplements whose source of ingredients is from the human food chain. Many vitamins are extracted from “natural sources”, like algae, which we do not normally eat. This may not be easily available to your body.

b) Wide spectrum of vitamins: Prefer to use multivitamins that give a number of positively interacting vitamins. Remember we require all nutrients in varying quantities. It is better to have a multivitamin providing daily values instead of megadoses of a single or few vitamins.

c) Expiry date of the vitamin: Vitamins do expire. Buy to use only for the month. When you need more you can always purchase again.

d) Store Vitamins safely: Store in a cool dry place away from sunlight and children

e) Health concern: If you have a health condition e.g diabetes or having medication, please
first consult your physician.

Also note, if you are in a weight loss program you need to consider your vitamin intake and find out if you your meal plans have any deficiencies. If there are, supplement.

© Mark Kimathi writes on Top 4 Reasons for Weight Loss Failure at Health-eMark

(www.health-emark.com) and related topics like weight loss supplements(www.health-emark.com./weight-loss-supplements-cat.html)

Author: Mark Kimathi
Author’s Email Address: kgmarkd@yahoo.com

Article Title: How Can I Get Help From Vitamin B Supplements

Many people that consume vitamin B supplments do not even know the power this mineral can do for their body. Do you agree that they just buy anything that the doctor or the pharmacist recommends. If the answer is yes, then you are not alone. I am also one of them.

How can this mineral help me?

They are the cheapest, safest, and most reliable way to improve your wellbeing and overall mental abilities. It can help your liver function and this will help your thyroid.

These supplements do not reduce the risk of a heart attack, according to researchers at the University of Tromso, Norway. It simply help people to fight depression.

What else can this mineral do?
This mineral is often needed for metabolism of amino acids and prevention of skin and nerve disorders. B complex mineral can even prevent pernicious anemia and is involved in nucleic-acid synthesis, fat metabolism, and conversion of carbohydrate to fat.

It may help give additional energy to the person if they are feeling tired. At times, this mineral may be a life-saver that can help prevent heart attacks.

Of course, before you consume any vitamin and minerals, always ask your family doctor or physician before you start taking any health supplements.

What so important about this mineral?

It is very important, as it contains B3 niacin, which is very important for growing hair. What it does is to enriches the overall quality and thickness of hair. Also, niacin is also an essential vitamin for your body, and it is just one of the eight water soluble types of vitamins.

Vitamin B6 provides an example of how nutritional supplements can help manipulate cancer cells. Besides manipulating cancer cells so as to slow down their production. This mineral is another important nutrient during pregnancy because the 12 components of the vitamin (B complex) which are the building blocks of cellular growth and development.

Vitamin B3 or or niacin can help in energy production but it is especially useful in treating diseases that involve high cholesterol levels. Complex vitamins B also play an important role with maintaining muscle tone within the digestive tract, along with the health of the skin, nervous system, live, eyes, hair, and mouth. There are evidence of vitamin B6 for treating or preventing CVD has been accumulating for more than 50 years.

What are the relationship between folate and B12 vitamin?

Folate and B12 vitamin are key vitamins that promote reduction of homocysteine levels, which are increased in persons with dementia, but supplementing with these vitamins does not appear to improve cognition. Folate, B6 vitamin and B12 vitamin intake and the risk of breast cancer among Mexican women.

In conclusion

This mineral is most often used to treat deficiencies that are caused by poor vitamin intake, difficulties with vitamin absorption, or conditions causing increased metabolism, such as hyperthyroidism, which deplete vitamin levels at a higher than normal rate.

Also, it plays a very important part in the good functioning of our body. As it is often hard to absorb, they are very effective in maintaining a proper vitamin level and keeping us healthy.

Eddy Kong WW is the owner of the Vitamin Supplement Resource Blog. Drop by at
www.17minvitaminssecrets.com/vitamin-supplements-blog/ for more useful vitamin supplements resources.

Author: Eddy Kong
Author’s Email Address: eddy@uniqueasthmatreatmentsecrets.com

Article Title: Can The Benefits of Vitamin B12 Help You?

8932331754564396

There are many people on the planet are consuming various forms of vitamins. It can mainly from A to Z, but there is one mineral you must not neglect. It is called B12. Vitamin B12 is a mineral that could be obtained from food sources or could be taken in the form of supplements orally or via injections. The benefits of vitamin B12 is important for the formation and maturation of red blood cells. It is used effectively in diseases that afflict the young and old alike. Supplements such as vitamin B12 is a safe, reliable and inexpensive vitamin. This type of vitamin can really helps to regulate the formation of red blood cells in the body.

Where can we find B12 mineral?

Vitamin B12 is abundant in protein rich foods. It can be found in red meat, eggs, dairy products, fish, in liver, and soy beans. Also, there injection-form of vitamin B12 and prescription based vitamin B12 are also an option, but must be taken under doctor supervision, which are suffering from a deficiency of the vitamin.

This must-have form of mineral is a very safe minerals with real benefits. Vitamin B12 injections are an effective and tested cure for patients suffering from. This mineral cooperates with folate in the synthesis of DNA, so deficiency of either leads to megaloblastosis. Also, it is necessary for the synthesis of red blood cells, the maintenance of the nervous system, and growth and development in children.

What is the relationship of folic acid and Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 along with Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of a certain class of birth defects called neural tube defects.

What are the actual situations or cases when there is a vitamin B12 deficiency?

It will reduce the intrinsic factor production due to damaged stomach mucosal lining as seen in stomach ulceration, Helicobacter infection and stomach surgery (stomach stapling bariatric surgery).

What is actually Folic?

Folic acid is one of the vitamins that make up the vitamin. It is a water soluble that are
specialised and important in healthy body development and growth stages. It is essential to cell division so during the phases of child hood and during pregnancy folic acid is needed for cell division as well as ensuring proper development of red blood cells.

Folic acid plays an important role in DNA repair a deficiency studies show can have an increase risk of colon cancer, breast cancer and pancreatic cancer, especially in women. It is recommended during pregnancy to avoid birth defects. It is known as the synthetic form of the natural folate, and known to enhance good spirit and help with depression.

In conclusion

Here you are, you are now more aware that the usage of vitamin B12 really benefits normal and sufficient red blood cell formation, giving us enough energy and strength to perform the normal activities of daily living. In a way, it will benefits DNA and RNA replication which affects every function and every cell in our bodies, and helps in the nervous system health by allowing for normal sensation and motion of our bodies, and the ability to process information correctly. This way, I bet you will have a health body if your vitamin B12 minerals is sufficient.

Eddy Kong WW is the owner of the Vitamin Supplement Resource Blog. Drop by at
www.17minvitaminssecrets.com/vitamin-supplements-blog for more useful vitamin supplements resources.

Author: Eddy Kong
Author’s Email Address: eddy@uniqueasthmatreatmentsecrets.com

Article Title: Proteins And Your Health

Really little is scientifically know about proteins and your health. This will endeavor to bring you up to date with this little knowledge; the basics of what you need to know about proteins.

Proteins make up 15% of your mass. Most of your body is constructed from protein molecules e.g. muscles, cartilage, ligaments, skin and hair are mainly protein. Haemoglobin, hormones, antibodies, enzymes are all proteins.

Without water, 75% of your weight is protein. Your body is made up of at least 10,000
different kinds of proteins. All proteins are made up of 22 basic building blocks of proteins called amino acids. What makes the thousands of different types of protein is that each type of protein in the body has a different sequence and structure of the 22 amino acids. This different sequences and structures assist in performing different yet specific functions in the body.

Proteins and its Function

Proteins serve two main purposes in the body

1) Structural e.g. keratin in hair, collagen in muscles etc.

2) Functional e.g. enzymes, hormones etc.

Proteins are macro molecules ie large molecules and polymers i.e. long chain of amino acids. Infact every function of the living cell depends on proteins as follows

A) Motion- Depends on contractile proteins e.g muscles.

B) Most biochemical reactions depend on organic catalysts i.e. enzymes e.g. amylase.

C) Structure of the cell has proteins e.g. in cell membrane.

D) Transport of body constituents depend on protein e.g. oxygen, and carbon dioxide transport by haemoglobin.

The body does not store amino acids like carbohydrates and fats; therefore it requires a new supply of amino acids everyday to make new body proteins. And since your body cells are dying everyday, they need to be replenished everyday.

If the body doesnot get all the amino acids to build body proteins, it digests itself to provide that missing amino acid.

When we eat protein foods, the polypeptide chain are generally broken in the digestive tract individual amino acids are absorbed in the blood stream. The body then recombines these amino acids into proteins necessary in your body for structural and other function.

Dietary sources of protein include:- chicken, fish, tuna fish, beef steak, cottage cheese, split peas, milk, kidney beans. Lack of proteins can have severe consequences. It results in growth failure, loss of muscle mass, decreased immunity, weakening of the heart and the respiratory system and if prolonged, death.

The digestion of protein releases acids in the body that are neutralized with calcium and other buffering agents in the blood. Generally, eating a lot of protein doesnot harm the heart and it seems to keep it healthier. But it requires lots of calcium. If no enough calcium is present in the diet then it is pulled from the bones. So long term high protein diet could weaken bones.

Protein in cow milk may also play part in developing Type 1 Diabetes. That is why cow milk is not recommended for infants. But later in life this milk protein doesnot seem to effect

Type 2 Diabetes.

Complete Proteins:

Some proteins we eat have all the essential amino acids we require from our diet. These are called complete proteins. Generally, animal proteins tend to be complete. Fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts contain incomplete proteins that is, they lack in at least one of the essential amino acids.

Your body requires all this essential amino acids. Otherwise it will break down body tissue, to get the missing amino acids. To avoid this vegetarians require eating plant proteins from a number of different sources. It is also advisable to supplement with a complete protein supplement.

On the other hand, complete proteins sources mostly found in animal proteins come with other undesirables e.g. fat. To avoid this, eat beef from the leanest cuts. Fish and poultry are good alternative.

Little is really known about proteins and health scientifically. It has not been researched thoroughly as fats and vitamins. But it is catching up. Basically it is known every adult needs a minimum of one gram of protein per every kilogramme of body weight per day to keep from slowly breaking down their own tissue. Athletes require more. In weight loss its excessive use in cutting calories is rarely considered prudent.

© Mark Kimathi writes on Top 4 Reasons for Weight Loss Failure at Health-eMark
(www.health-emark.com) and related topics like weight loss diets(www.health-emark.com./weight-loss-diets-cat.html)

Author: Mark Kimathi
Author’s Email Address: kgmarkd@yahoo.com

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