Ben Adams asked:


Taking vitamins has long been considered as a prerequisite to good health. In fact, health experts are in agreement, that these organic molecules are needed to be taken by the human body in minute quantities, to ensure proper health. According to these experts, a person deprived of a particular vitamin would eventually exhibit disease symptoms particular to the said vitamin.

The importance of vitamins for good health is a fact well known to everybody. Even children at the primary school level are well aware of this because they are being educated on the importance of vitamins for their body. But while everybody knows how important vitamins are, not everybody knows where to get them. In fact, many believe that the only source of vitamins is the medicine bottle.

Vitamins, however, are not limited to those that are sold on drug stores as food supplements. In fact, vitamins do exist naturally. To give more light on this topic, it may be better if we give you first a background on the basic types of vitamins available today.

The Basic Types of Vitamins Available in the Market

There are three general types of vitamins being sold in the market today. These three types are the natural vitamins, crystalline vitamins, and synthetic vitamins.

• Natural Vitamins

Natural vitamins are those vitamins that can readily be found in natural foods. If processed into a commercial food supplement, the vitamin must have all of its components intact, including its enzymes, co-enzymes, minerals, mineral activators, and co-vitamin helpers.

• Crystalline Vitamins

Crystalline vitamins are those vitamins that are extracted from natural food sources but were already treated with various high-powered chemicals, solvents, heat and distillations to separate the specific vitamin from all other synergistic components attached to it. As such, these vitamins have a very simple structure compared to the complex structure of natural vitamins.

• Synthetic Vitamins

Synthetic vitamins are those vitamins that were chemically formed in laboratories by scientists. While they are not derived from any natural source, the structure of these vitamins would usually resemble that of their crystalline counterparts.

As you can see, vitamins are not limited to those found on drug stores and medicine bottles. In this article, we’ll concentrate on those vitamins that can be found on natural food sources—the natural vitamin supplements.

Natural Vitamin Supplements

According to studies, our body needs 13 vitamins for proper bodily functions. These vitamins are composed of the vitamins A, C, D, E, K and the B vitamins. The B vitamins, on the other hand, are composed of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folate.

Now, all these vitamins are available in drug stores in various concentrations. However, all of these 13 vitamins can also be found on natural food sources. In fact, a person having a variety of foods in his diet must already be taking minute amounts of these vitamins everyday. And as have previously been said, only a minute amount of all these vitamins are needed by the body to function properly.

So if you are interested on keeping your health at its prime, then you can bank on the natural vitamins that nature has to offer. Here is a list of the food sources from which you can extract natural vitamin supplements:

1. Vitamin A

Vitamin A can be found from meat sources and dairy products like milk, cheese, cream, liver, kidney, and cod liver. But since all of these are high cholesterol products, you may want to try getting vitamin A from its precursor, beta-carotene. Common sources of beta carotene are raw carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, cantaloupe, spinach, mango, broccoli and other red- or yellow-skinned fruits and vegetables.

2. Vitamin B1 (thiamine)

Common sources of thiamine are fortified breads, cereals, pasta, whole grains, lean meats, fish, peas and dried beans. Some dairy products, fruits and vegetables are also rich in vitamin B1.

3. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)

Dairy products like milk and yogurt are the primary sources of riboflavin. Other sources are chicken meat, green and leafy vegetables, fruits and almonds.

4. Vitamin B3 (niacin)

Food products that are rich in niacin include dairy products, poultry, fish, lean meats, nuts and eggs. Some legumes and cereals also contain traces of niacin.

5. Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)

Vitamin B5 rich foods would include, fish, dairy products, poultry, lean beef, yeast and vegetables in the cabbage family. Also rich in vitamin B5 are white and sweet potatoes as well as peanuts and peas.

6. Vitamin B6 (pyroxidine)

Fruits like bananas, watermelons and tomatoes are known sources of vitamin B6. Other common sources are chicken, broccoli, spinach, potatoes, white rice, peanuts, oats and fortified cereals.

7. Vitamin B12

Meat, poultry, fish, shellfish and dairy products comprise the rich sources for vitamin B12.

8. Folate

Green and leafy vegetables are the largest source of folates, although this vitamin can also be found on tomato juice, peas, wheat germ, oranges and mushrooms.

9. Vitamin C

The most common sources of vitamin C are the citrus fruits and their juices like strawberry, melon, cranberry, grapefruit and others. Most other fruits and vegetables also contain small amounts of vitamin C.

10. Vitamin D

The largest sources of vitamin D are dairy products, poultry, and cereals. Aside from these food sources, the body also synthesizes vitamin D when the skin is exposed to the heat of the sun.

11. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is mostly derived from plant oils and products made from it, like margarine and mayonnaise. Other sources include peanuts, whole grains, wheat germ, corn, nuts, olives, spinach and other green and leafy vegetables.

12. Vitamin K

Leafy and green vegetables like cabbage and spinach are the primary source of Vitamin K. Other sources include soybeans, cereals, fruits, beets, potatoes, dairy products, meat products and poultry. Bacteria found in the stomach and in the intestines can also synthesize vitamin K.



The Biggest Loser

Mark Kimathi asked:


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.



Chemotherapy

anonymous asked:


As more and more people realize the importance of consuming health supplements, they have turned to the liquid form of vitamin supplements. Also, as the technology of manufacturing and refining processes becomes more sophiscated and moving, there goes the same for the health supplements food industry.

This is definitely true in the body building and healthcare industry. Having said that, one of the latest advancements in healthcare research has been the way in which liquid vitamin products are being processed.

Are all the claims that liquid vitamin supplements really true as they are being claimed.

Too be honest, how much hype and craze has be given for this popular form of vitamin health food.

Let us share the methodology of liquid vitamin supplements and hopefully you will be able to decide if they are right for you, or if you can trust your old, traditional multi-vitamin food, and that’s fine with us.

What are the advantages of using liquid form of vitamin?

The first advantage of taking liquid vitamin supplements is the ease of consuming it. More people are having an issue of swallowing tablets, capsules and even vitamins pills, which in this case the liquid form is a good alternative.

Also there are even flavored versions starting to come out so that the liquid form are actually pleasant to take.

One more advantage of the such form is that they are absorbed easier from the body than the pills. The reason for this is that the vitamins do not need to be broken down to be absorbed. They are taken up directly through the digestive process.

However, please take note that when using good reliable liquid vitamin supplemets, one major drawback is that up to 90% of the it may be destroyed in the stomach. Whereas, when taking this type of pills you will not have this problem as they already have a protective coating that lets them enter the intestines where they are being absorbed properly.

Thus, consuming good reliable liquid vitamin supplements may end up wasting this health supplement or even your daily vitamin intake allows it.

What are the various forms of liquid vitamin health supplements?

Consuming effervescent tablets

This type of supplement appear to be in the form of tablets. But in order to drink them you need to put the vitamins in a cup of water. Usually, these vitamins have different flavors can actually be a pleasure to drink. Still there are many contradictory opinions about whether they are effective or not due to the initial issues raised above.

In the health supplements market, some products actually work perfectly fine like this (think energy drinks and caffeine related drinks) as they work through a different body function. But for normal macro nutrients and vitamins, the stomach will destroy most of it.

Personally speaking, it is best to continue to take good and reliable liquid form health supplements as an alternative to replace the pill form of vitamin supplements. Having said that, many people that may include you, do not really fancy taking this new alternative, which may suspect whether such supplements will actually work or not.

Besides knowing what are tips of consuming good reliable liquid vitamin supplements, this should give you another choice of health supplements thus should enable your health to get a good booster. Before you are going to consume any type of liquid vitamin health food, you need to first consult your physician.

However, many people sometimes tend to forget that even though there may be many types of good reliable liquid vitamin health food around, but having the right knowledge to use the right type of vitamin supplements to the max for various kinds of chronic of illnesses is crucial. Therefore, without a proper understanding of using various kinds of health supplements to treat various anxiety and anger management system, there will not be much panic attack free lifestyle to hope for.

Apply this effective tips together with an thorough understanding of vitamin supplements is important so that you enjoy your life once again.



Weight Loss Journal

Gregg Hall asked:


Playing an essential role in the metabolism of most animals, vitamins are complex substances made from organic materials. A wide range of foods possesses these vitamins, which are sometimes produced inside of the body. The body needs vitamins to properly function. Without them, the body breaks down and the growth processes of the body are stunted. When you do not get enough of the proper vitamins, disorders of the body can also arise.

There are two main categories that vitamins are grouped into. One deals with the vitamins that are fat soluble. This includes vitamins A, D, E, and K. The second group includes vitamins that are water soluble, such as vitamin C, as well as B complex. As you will see, each vitamin has their own characteristics and benefits for the human body.

Vitamin A: This vitamin helps with the growth and maintenance of good hair and skin. This is the vitamin to take when you wish to improve your eyesight. Bones depend on this vitamin for proper bone growth and also play a role in the development of strong teeth. Some of the foods that vitamin A is present within includes milk, carrots, liver, spinach, cantaloupe, and apricots. When you lack vitamin A in your body, you will suffer from night blindness, as well as dry skin.

Vitamin B: Different levels of the B vitamin make up this substance, as well as folic acid and biotin. All of the B vitamins aid in the body’s metabolism, as well as the maintenance of red blood cells. The creation of protein, as well as energy is assisted from the vitamin B throughout your body. The types of foods that you will find this particular vitamin include green, leafy vegetables; oranges; grapefruits; whole grains and meats. When you are not getting enough B vitamin, you may contract Beri Beri, which is characterized by weak muscles and unattractive, dry lips.

Vitamin C: This vitamin is important in producing collagen, as well as the structuring of bones and muscle. Other things associated with vitamin C is healthy gums, blood vessels, muscles, as well as the quick healing of wounds. Foods that give a nice amount of vitamin C include lemons, oranges, tomatoes, cabbage and other fruits and vegetables. Getting insufficient amounts of Vitamin C results in the bleeding of gums, joint pain, as well as weak muscles.

Vitamin D: The absorption of calcium, as well as proper bone formation is associated with vitamin D. It is the vitamin responsible for strong bones and teeth. When looking for foods that carry this particular vitamin, shoot for egg yolks, milk and other dairy items. When you don’t get enough of this vitamin, you will suffer from weak bones, as well as excessive weight loss.

Vitamin E: The formation of red blood cells, as well as lung protection is provided through this vitamin. Foods, such as whole grain bread, green vegetables with leaves, sardines, cereals and seeds offer vitamin E. When you do not get enough of this vitamin, you are making yourself more susceptible to diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.



South Beach Diet

Karen Pijuan asked:


Most vitamin supplements that are available in the market today, even in health food stores, are not natural, whole food based, but are synthetic, even if they are labeled ‘natural’! What exactly does that mean, synthetic, and what’s wrong with synthetic?

First, let’s explain a few terms: crystalline, synthetic and natural vitamins. When a vitamin says it is ‘crystalline,’ it means that a food was used as its original source, (so the label often says ‘natural’ vitamin), but then chemicals like solvents were used to turn it into a pure crystalline vitamin. All the other co-factors that were with that vitamin in the natural substance are gotten rid of in this process. So a crystalline vitamin is really not a natural vitamin.

When a vitamin is synthetic, it means that it has been concocted in a laboratory by building the exact structure of the crystalline molecule, often with a toxic substance. So chemically, there is really no difference between a crystalline and a synthetically-derived vitamin. A good example of a synthetic vitamin is that of the B vitamins, which are made from petrochemicals. Yes, that’s right, synthetic B vitamins are mostly coal tar derivatives!

“Natural’ vitamins should be 100 percent whole food based with absolutely no synthetics. Watch out because vitamin manufacturers know that people prefer ‘natural’ vitamins, and they will often tout that on the label, and maybe even use a little bit of a whole food. However, that does not make the vitamin a safe, effective, whole food vitamin.

What’s Wrong With Taking Synthetic Vitamins?

Supplements that are synthetic do not provide all the co-factors or other nutrients necessary for your body to fully utilize that supplement. In fact, since these co-factors are missing, your body will need to take them from somewhere else in order to make the synthetic vitamin work. This can create serious shortages, and may be why other problems often result. Because they do bring some much needed nutrients to your body, synthetic vitamins may cause you to feel better at first, but this will usually not last.

When you take synthetic vitamins, especially if you are taking a high dose formula, this is seen by the body as more like taking a drug than taking a needed nutrient. This is probably why there are studies showing problems with taking high doses of certain vitamins (usually synthetic vitamins) like beta carotene causing cancer.

Whole Food Supplements

Many people, when first switching to whole food supplements, are wondering how they can get any benefit from them when they see how little of the nutrient is contained in one serving. However, you need to realize that the amount of the nutrient that you take is far less important than how much of it your body will actually be using.

With whole food supplements, you have all the co-factors that nature put in the food to help you utilize that nutrient. As a result, you need far less of the whole food vitamin or mineral, often only a fraction of the synthetic amount, in order to have the same or an even greater effect.

So even if you think you got a bargain on your vitamins, your body probably did not. Throw away all your cheap, synthetic vitamins and start taking 100 percent whole food vitamin supplements today!



South Beach Diet

anonymous asked:


As more and more people beginning to live a a hectic lifestyle, with millions and millions of people spending billions and billions of dollars on vitamin supplements every stage.

In just 2004 to 2007, more than $20.6 billion dollars was spent on this phenomenon. Many people think they are preventing heart disease or cancer by popping every vitamin supplement they can get their hands on. What many fail to realize, however, is that with the water soluble vitamins (B vitamins and vitamin C), whatever is not used is eliminated each day. Stocking up on these vitamins therefore, is not possible.

As mentioned, as more people do not have time for a healthy and balanced diet. Processed foods fail to ensure the daily ratio of vitamins necessary for keeping healthy. Given the highly polluted environment we live in and all the unhealthy food we consume, an organic food supplement can significantly improve our state of health.

Why we need to increase our organic whole food vitamin supplement intake?

The reason is simply that in the modern society of ours, very few people follow a correct diet and have 6-8 servings of whole food, such as grains, seeds, nuts and vegetables, every day. It seems like the present trend is consuming processed food and taking synthetic vitamins to supplement your diet. However, this is not the best way to secure a balanced diet and it can even have bad long-term effects on your health.

You could increase your daily intake of organic whole food health supplement instead. Eating vitamin and mineral-rich food, such as nuts, whole grains and seeds are a good way of completing your diet with natural vitamins, enzymes and minerals.

The difference between synthetic vitamins vs organic health supplements

Most vitamin supplements you can purchase today are made from synthetic ingredients. These are chemical substances which have been produced in laboratories to fake the molecular structure of natural vitamins.

Your body is built to absorb nutritional substances from food. Therefore, most health care professionals recommend an organic health food supplement and taking your daily vitamins from whole food, not synthetics supplements.

Earth minerals vs homeopathic minerals:

Commercial supplements aimed to increase your vitamin and mineral intake use minerals such as calcium carbonate, calcium citrate and other derivates, derived from sea shells, rocks or coral. On the other hand, an organic vitamin supplement contains a mineral-rich food source along with homeopathic mineral ingredients. All these vitamins are much easier to absorb and assimilate by the human body.

What are the benefits of an organic health supplements?

1) These supplements have no synthetic or isolate ingredients.

2) They contain only complete whole food vitamins.

3) These supplements do not have any sea shell, rock or coral derived minerals.

4) Organic whole food vitamin supplements include homeopathic minerals.

5) They increase the intake of whole foods, such as seeds, nuts and grains.

6) They do not include any chemical, additive or synthetic ingredients.

7) They have a lacto-vegetarian formula.

In conclusion, an organic whole food vitamin supplement can be very effective in ensuring a healthy diet and prevent vitamin deficiencies, alongside all the symptoms that come along.

After knowing what is actually organic whole food health supplements, and alongside this little information may be enough for you to choose your supplements more carefully and to consume more or less. Earlier you are going to swallow any type of vitamin health food, you need to first consult your doctor.

However, many people sometimes tend to forget the quality and quantity of popping these supplements, without realizing the harmful effects of over-consumption it, level while various kinds of these can treat chronic diseases.

Therefore, without a proper understanding of using organic whole food health supplements to treat many chronic diseases, there will not be much disease free lifestyle to craving for.

Apply effective tips as being highlighted here, together alongside an thorough understanding of vitamin supplements is important so that you enjoy your life once again.



Weight Loss Journal