Vitamins

1. Introduction to Vitamins

Vitamin is the general term given to a group of organic substances that are present in food in minute quantities, but are distinct from carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. They are essential for growth and cause specific deficiencies when not adequately supplied by the diet or improperly absorbed from food. So far, more than fifty vitamins have been identified.

Vitamins are absolutely essential to health and are generally required in small doses. For example, an ounce of Vitamin D is approximately the amount needed for a 15,000 year life span of the average adult! A daily supply of all thirteen vitamins deemed essential is barely visible to the naked eye. If labels are checked, one would see that the large multivitamin tablets are mainly fillers. Too bad, since many of them are hard to swallow.

Vitamins must have the following five characteristics in order to be classified as such:

1) Required in relatively small quantities.

2) Essential because certain chemical reactions cannot occur without them. For example, at least thirteen are known to be required as co-factors or helpers in order for enzymes to function properly in the metabolism.

3) Must be obtained in the diet because the body cannot manufacture them or cannot make adequate amounts.

4) Must be eaten regularly because they are stored in limited quantities and are gradually lost.

5) A deficiency results in at least one specific disorder.

Vitamins are separated into two major groupings called Fat-Soluble and Water-Soluble vitamins. The fat-soluble group contains vitamins A, D, E, and K, and Beta-Carotene. The rest of the vitamin family, B-Complex's and Vitamin C comprise the water soluble family. The chemical entities Choline and Inosital are possible vitamins, though there remains some doubt as to their actual status.

The recommended daily allowances are suggested amounts of essential vitamins and minerals considered adequate for the bodily needs of healthy people

2. Vitamin A

Vitamin A is formed in the animal body;

• It is a soluble vitamin, requires the presence of fat and minerals;

• Can be stored in the body and therefore does not require a dose every day;

• exercise their best effects in the presence of vitamins B, D, E and Ca, P, Zn

• It does not destroy the boil.

Natural sources of vitamin A:

• Fruit: apricots, peaches, oranges, bananas, lemons, etc..;

• Vegetables: carrots, bell pepper, spinach, parsley, etc..;

• In food as: liver, eggs, dairy products, margarine, fish oil;

• 100g liver containing 3 - 50 mg vitamin A or 100g carrots contain 3 to 9 mg of vitamin A.

What vitamins can do for you? (which have physiological):

• to improve;

• They increase resistance to respiratory infections;

• Maintain the growth and strengthening of bones;

• Hold the health of skin, hair, teeth, gums;

• Helps treat acne (spots) or wrinkles.

What can cause their lack of organization (which may cause unwanted effects, their lack of body)?

• tiredness, headaches, nervousness, restlessness;

• Low resistance to respiratory infections;

• Breaking easy nail;

• Abdominal pain.

Toxicity

Overcoming the administration for months in a row, a daily dose can cause adverse effects: hair loss, nausea, redness, blurred vision, hard

Vitamin A is essential in the body for maintaining the immune system and vision and also for growth and tissue differentiation. It is also thought to aid prevention of cancer.

Vitamin A is the collective name for a group of fat-soluble vitamins. The most useable form of the vitamin is retinol, often called preformed vitamin A as it is the active form in the body. Retinol (an alcohol) can only be found in animal sources and can be converted by the body into retinal (an aldehyde) and retinoic acid (a carboxylic acid), other active forms of vitamin A.

3. Vitamin B Complex

The B vitamins are eight water-soluble vitamins that play important roles in cell metabolism. Historically, the B vitamins were once thought to be a single vitamin, referred to as vitamin B. Later research showed that they are chemically distinct vitamins that often coexist in the same foods. Supplements containing all eight are generally referred to as a vitamin B complex. Individual B vitamin supplements are referred to by the specific name of each vitamin (e.g. B1, B2, B3 etc.).