USANA Essential Tips » vitamins

Basic Types of Vitamins

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 05:45:42 +0000

Three types are the natural vitamins, crystalline vitamins, and synthetic vitamins.

Natural Vitamins- those vitamins that can readily be found in natural foods 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- 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, these vitamins have a very simple structure compared to the complex structure of natural vitamins.

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

Natural Vitamin Supplements-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.

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

Three types are the natural vitamins, crystalline vitamins, and synthetic vitamins.

Types of Vitamins- Vitamin A

admin — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:27:36 +0000

Vitamins are the complex organic substance essential in small quantities to the metabolism or nutrition in most animals which are found in minute quantities in food, and in some cases are produced by the body, and are also produced synthetically. The human body totally needs them to work properly, so that we can grow and develop just like we should, plus it is important to know that their deficiency results in many serious disorders.

Vitamins are divided into two major groups:

1. The ‘fat-soluble vitamins’ – designated as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K, and the ‘water-soluble vitamins’ which include vitamin C. Members are from the group of molecules referred to as the vitamin B complex, each of them has its own special role in the development of human body.

2. Vitamin A- a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a really big part in eyesight and helps us to see in dim light and also at night. It is also involved in the formation and maintenance of healthy skin, hair, and mucous membranes, it is necessary for proper bone growth, tooth development, reproduction and for the development of epithelial cells. That line any opening to the body like nose, throat, lungs, mouth, stomach, intestines and urinary tract. Vitamin A can be found in eggs, milk, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, fish oil, liver of pork, lamb, chicken, turkey or beef, butter, broccoli, apricots, nectarines, cantaloupe, and orange or yellow vegetables or fruits. The deficiency of vitamin A causes two major disorders like, night blindness and drying of skin.

Vitamins are divided into two major groups:

Antioxidants for the Heart

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:06:28 +0000

Antioxidants are substances that remove toxic byproducts of chemical reactions in the body apart from vitamins for cardiac health, the reason why you hear so much about antioxidants. They are responsible for clearing out highly reactive chemicals that circulate in the body, making sure they don’t cause cell and tissue damage that is believed to cause heart disease, cancer and premature aging

Other vitamins for cardiac health include folic acid. Other B vitamins reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, according to a detailed analysis of more than three dozen scientific studies. These nutrients work by quenching homocysteine, an amino acid in the blood attacking blood vessel walls and promotes cardiovascular disease.

Homocysteine pronounced as (ho´-mo-sis´-teen) has emerged after 25 years of research as the “new cholesterol.” Researchers estimate that it is a major risk factor in 10 to 40 percent of heart attacks and strokes in the United States, this amino acid is a short-lived byproduct of methionine metabolism, but a diet short on B vitamins prevents its breakdown.

It is confirmed that high blood levels of homocysteine were clearly associated with cardiovascular diseases and that folic acid lowered levels of the amino acid, other studies have reported that vitamins for cardiac health also include B6, B12, and choline also lower homocysteine levels. High blood levels of homocysteine, pose a risk of cardiovascular disease independent of other risk factors, such as cholesterol, triglyceride, smoking, and so forth. Up to 50,000 coronary heart disease deaths could be prevented by increasing folic acid intake-by eating more fruit and vegetables, fortifying foods with the vitamin, or taking supplements.

Vitamins for Eye Health

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:19:53 +0000

Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta-Carotene (pro-Vitamin A) and Carotenoids (Lutein & Zeaxanthin) are strong antioxidants. They protect the eye against free radical damage. Strengthening of the eye defenses by increasing the intake of these vitamins would be helpful in preventing the chronic AgingEye diseases. Recent studies seem to support this assumption, lycopene, a different type of carotenoid found in tomatoes protects against prostate cancer and heart disease.

The eye, especially the lens and the retina is particularly vulnerable to the effects of unchecked free radicals byproduct of oxygen, cellular processes and environmental contaminants. Antioxidant vitamins help to combat free radicals, the primary antioxidant vitamins include Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E. promoting healthy cells and tissues in the eye. Lutein and Zeaxanthin are two more valuable antioxidants that recent research has found to be especially effective in maintaining the good health of the eyes.

Vitamin C found in fruits and vegetables such as; oranges, strawberries, rosehip, broccoli reduces pressure in Glaucoma, slows deterioration in macular degeneration and reduces the risk of cataracts.

Vitamin A found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and liver. Deficiency is tied to blindness, and corneal ulcers. Use may reduce risk of cataracts, and night blindness.

Vitamin D: This vitamin is vital for the metabolism of calcium and regulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestinal tract, a deficiency of vitamin D results in rickets in young children; irritability, weakness, and softening of the bones in adults. Vitamin D may have a direct effect on the eyes, and it is vital for maintaining overall good health.

Vitamin C found in fruits and vegetables such as; oranges, strawberries, rosehip, broccoli reduces pressure in Glaucoma, slows deterioration in macular degeneration and reduces the risk of cataracts.

Vitamin A found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and liver. Deficiency is tied to blindness, and corneal ulcers. Use may reduce risk of cataracts, and night blindness.

Let’s Talk About Vitamin E

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:56:45 +0000

Vitamin E stop cholesterol from forming into plaque, allowing the blood to flow properly. If you don’t use vitamin E, the blood will stop flowing and the arteries will begin to get backed up. This is the main cause of heart attacks, high blood pressure, and other serious diseases.

Researchers and doctors have linked vitamin E to preventing cancer. Though this hasn’t been conclusively proven, there are many doctors that have said in the past that vitamin E can indeed prevent cancer. No documentation or proof has been given to back up such statements we all know that it is a very important vitamin, regardless.

There are studies that have proven vitamin E to be very effective in protecting the skin against UV rays. It has been shown on numerous occasions to shield the skin from the harmful rays of the sun which can lead to skin cancer. If you include sources of vitamin E, or supplements in your diet you can help to prevent the damage of UV rays .

When included with vitamin C, vitamin E can be one of the most important vitamins for your body offering many different benefits, besides the ones listed above. You can find it in many different forms, including fruits and nuts, fruits are excellent sources of vitamin E, especially oranges. Oranges have always been known to be rich in this vitamin, whether you are consuming whole oranges or just drinking orange juice, if you are drinking orange juice that contains pulp, you’ll be getting plenty of vitamin E in your diet.

The Multi Vitamin

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:40:03 +0000

Some people do not eat a sufficiently balanced diet to provide them with all of the vitamins that they require. This has led to a boom in the multi vitamin supplement industry. Multi vitamin supplements are available in a number of different forms which includes tablets, gel capsules and even liquids.

The most obvious benefit to taking multi vitamin supplements is convenience, it is far easier for a person to take one dose of a multi vitamin supplement that contains all of the necessary vitamins compared to taking each one individually. Especially the case for children as it can be difficult for them to take a large number of vitamin supplements but one dose of a multi vitamin supplement is far easier, a liquid multi vitamin supplement is the most suitable form for children, it is also a beneficial to anyone who has difficulty taking supplements in traditional tablet form.

The increase in the availability of multi vitamin supplements has led to a great variety in the brands and actual content of the multi vitamin supplements. Names of some of the nutrients in these multi vitamin supplements can be a little bewildering. Many people simply do not know which ones they require.

It is important to consider the contents of any multi vitamin supplement before consuming too many of them. There are some vitamins that can be toxic if too much is absorbed. This can occur more easily with multi vitamin supplements as some of the content may be overlooked.

Vitamins For Healthy Skin .1

admin — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:44:41 +0000

People who look after their hygene always talk about what are the vitamins to take for healthy skin. A complete nutritional supplement is the best choice, a nourishing cream is also important. Here’s a look at some of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are particularly important to the skin’s health.

Vitamin C & A- vitamin C for the skin health is well known, because vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) causes the destruction of collagen fibers that are located in the dermis, the deepest of the skin’s layers, give the skin its firmness and elasticity and vitamin C is needed as a cofactor for the body to create new collagen fibers.

The importance of vitamin A is less well understood, it is still a subject of study. The primary condition associated with acute vitamin A deficiency is blindness, but the appearance of red bumps on the skin is commonly seen, as well. It has been used to treat acne and other skin conditions.

As one of the vitamins to take for healthy skin, look for a product that lists Carotenoids or beta-carotene on the label, but too much vitamin A can be toxic. Beta carotenes are converted to vitamin A on an as-needed basis, any excess amount passes out of the body, causing no problems.

For topical creams, vitamin C is not recommended as it can cause redness and itching. Creams containing extract from wakame kelp supply beta carotenes to the skin, without causing the irritation that is seen with retinol.

Vitamin C, D, E, P and K

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:04:41 +0000

Vitamin C- also called ascorbic acid and a water soluble vitamin essential for teeth, gums and bones. It promotes strength in the arteries helping to heal the ulcers. It increases resistance in the body, an antioxidant that prevents poliomyelitis, as well as the deficiency produces scurvy. Some of the major sources of vitamin C are sweet fruits and citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables promoting vitality, vigor and youthfulness and efficiency in work in a person.

Vitamin D- a fat soluble vitamin essential for growth of bones. It is required for proper absorption and utilization of phosphorus and calcium, deficiency of the vitamin in children produces, thin and weak bones called rickets. In adults its deficiency produces osteomalasia and caries of teeth. Sunlight is the major source of Vitamin D as well as it is found in milk.

Vitamin E- said to be an anti- sterility vitamin. Its deficiency leads to frequent abortions and it is useful for metabolism of fats and it controls catabolism. It prevents diabetes, heart diseases, thrombosis, asthma and bones degeneration. It can be found in vegetables, sprouted wheat and dried fruits.

Vitamin K- regulates the normal blood clotting and regulates prothrombin level in the body, its deficiency causes bleeding or hemorrhages in the body, some of the natural sources of vitamin K are green and fresh leafy vegetables.

Vitamin P- called Bioflavonoids necessary for maintenance of blood vessels and normal blood pressure. It is found in vegetables and citrus fruits.

Overall Health With Multi Vitamins

admin — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 13:50:18 +0000

Taking a good multi vitamin everyday can improve your over all health. It can give you a sense of general well being as well as gives your body a boost physically and mentally. There are multivitamins made especially for certain age groups. There are certain conditions like pregnancy, it is important to take a multi vitamin in a liquid for to get the most out of it. The body absorbs liquids 5 times more efficiently than taking a pill form.

Everyone can benefit from taking multivitamins, children need to build healthy strong bones, and athletes need there antioxidants to fight the free radicals from working the body. It also helps white blood cells fight off infection, aides in healing wounds, and helps the formation of collagen. People who can really benefit from multi vitamins are people over the age of 55. People who consume a lot of alcohol, extremely active people, athletes, people who are sick, and smokers.

Oxidants and free radicals can be very harmful to the body in high levels, they can damage the membranes in cells and can alter genetics. It contributes to a number of diseases that develop like cancer, heart disease, cataracts, premature aging. Free radicals and oxidants are caused by chemicals, toxins, and stress, smoking and environmental pollution can cause them too. Taking vitamins like Vitamin A, C, and E can help to chase these oxidants down and get rid of them and neutralize free radicals preventing some of there damage.

Vitamin E Talk

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:22:20 +0000

Vitamin E- d-alpha tocopherol, an essential vitamin to sustain normal body function. Eating more processed foods the amount of vitamin E in our diet continues to fall. There are serious risks if we do not get enough vitamin E, studies are currently underway that may prove vitamin E among other things to be an anti-cancer agent. The RDA for vitamin E is 15 mg or about 22.5 I.U.

Vitamin E has shown to have many health benefits. Some studies have shown vitamin E may be been linked to congenital heart defects, there are other studies that show babies born prematurely may have a vitamin E deficiency because much of the transfer transpires during the last few weeks of pregnancy. Vitamin E is an oil based vitamin which means the body doesn’t pass it as easily as water based vitamins such as vitamin C, it may be wise to discourage too much supplementation especially while pregnant. The typical supplementation is about (400 I.U.)

Oils such as; corn, cottonseed, soybean and safflower, as well as margarine are all good sources of vitamin E, while nuts such as; peanuts, almonds, brazil nuts and hazelnuts are also good sources. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains contain less a lesser amount of vitamin E. Refined and processed foods contain the least amount. Cooking foods at high temperatures destroys vitamin E, so, your best sources are of vitamin E are always going to be raw or lightly processed foods, most especially those that aren’t overcooked.