Vitamins are required for normal growth, metabolism and good health. Their task is to metabolize other nutrients to provide energy and start reactions by the body processes. They are found in fruits, vegetables and other food, but may be missing due to a number of reasons. The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) recommends a least element vitamin supplements to prevent inadequacies.
There are two kinds of vitamins classified according to their solubility. The fat soluble vitamins are a, E, D and Okay, and can be stored by the body processes. They contain h2o and, hydrogen and Masteron results oxygen. The water soluble vitamins contain nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur, in addition to these three. Water soluble vitamins include vitamin C or ascorbic acid and vitamins of the B group: thiamine or vitamin B1, riboflavin or vitamin B2, niacin or vitamin B3, pantothenic acid or vitamin B5, pyridoxine or vitamin B6, biotin or vitamin B7, folate/folic acid or vitamin B9 and vitamin B12. They cannot be stored by the body processes.
It is important to be aware of the multiple functions of vitamins and effects of inadequacies to understand the role of vitamin supplements. Vitamins allow nutrients to be broken down and absorbed and convert carbohydrates and fats into energy. They help to metabolize nutrients, produce antibodies to strengthen immunity and develop resistance to diseases. Vitamins strengthen cells, bind tissue, form bone fragments, blood cells and ancestral material, the body’s hormones and chemicals of the nervous system and match meats to produce digestive support enzymes. Each group of vitamins performs more specific roles.
Vitamin A is essential for immunity, vision, bone fragments, cells, the reproductive system health, skin and body linings. Vitamins of the B complex group are required for several body functions. Folate/folic acid is essential at every stage of life, as it accounts for DNA, RNA and protein production. Vitamin C helps to build and look after tissue, healthy bone fragments, blood vessels and skin and strengthen immunity. Vitamin D controls the calcium supplements levels in the blood and prevents bone loss, weak bones and auto immune diseases. It is essential for proper intake of calcium supplements and regulation of the rate at which it is excreted. E vitamin performs protective functions; it stops injury by free radicals and protects intracellular walls. Moreover, it reduces the risk of jaundice and other lean meats related diseases and neutralizes the side effects of the long term use of antibiotics. Vitamin Okay accounts for metabolism of the bone fragments and clotting of blood.
Scarcity of vitamins has serious consequences. Lack of vitamin A leads to night blindness, retarded growth of the skeleton and problems of the skin and gastrointestinal tract. Vitamin B1 lack causes leg cramping pains, muscular a weakness, being easily annoyed and the disgestive system problems. Mouth ulcers, inflammation of the tongue, a weakness, low blood counts and dandruff are among the symptoms of lack of vitamin B2. Insufficient vitamin B3 causes pellagra, while a scarcity of vitamin B6 leads to skin problems, mental confusion and lowered immunity. Vitamin B5 is an antioxidant required for growth, reproduction and physical processes, so a lack of it produces cardiovascular disease and depression. Inadequate vitamin B12 causes pernicious anemia, while scurvy and rickets are the main symptoms of a lack of vitamins C and D respectively. E vitamin lack affects the nervous system and leads to a weakness, vision related problems and loss of muscle mass. Finally, easy bruising and gastrointestinal hemorrhage are symptoms of vitamin Okay lack.
In view of the above, it is important to identify the circumstances when there might be a scarcity of more than one essential vitamins. Studies have shown that most adults are bad in vitamins B6, B12, folic acid, vitamins D and E. The diet plan may not be balanced, and lacking in the mandatory amounts of these vitamins. Those on a macrobiotic diet or weight loss program often lack a balanced diet. Even multivitamins may fail to provide you with the recommended daily allocated (RDA) of vitamins D and E, so these have to be taken separately. Moreover, source of nourishment levels are used up by physically strenuous activities.
Some people are more liable to dietary inadequacies due to a number of factors. This group includes people living alone, pre and post menopausal women and the elderly. The latter usually consume less milk and may also have limited contact with the sun’s rays, both which are sources of vitamin D. Vegetarians and particularly vegans could be missing vitamins like B12, which are largely found in dairy products and non-vegetarian food. Elderly people, specially vegetarians, often suffer from gastrointestinal disorders due to a restricted diet, and this retards intake of vitamin B12. Moreover, some kinds of medication also hinder vitamin B12 intake from food. Vitamin B6 lack occurs among older adults, specially if the diet is of poor quality or restricted over a long period. Alcoholics have reached greater risk, as alcohol leads to decreased intake of the vitamin. A good normal diet may lack the mandatory amount of 2 mg, so supplements have to be taken. People averse to vegetables and fruit are inclined to suffer from vitamin C lack, while calcium supplements lack is likely if milk products are missing from the diet, due to conditions like lactose intolerance.
Since inadequacies can lead to multiple health problems, it is essential to include all the vitamins in the diet. The RDA or Recommended Dietary Allocated for vitamins has been set by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences and National Research Local authority or council. It is the average daily source of nourishment intake level sufficient for source of nourishment requirements on most (97%-98%) healthy individuals in particular gender and stage of life. However, since nutrients may be missing from the diet, supplements are prescribed to fill the hole.
Folic acid is the medigap form of folate; 400 mcg is the daily requirement, but it is often missing even in a balanced diet. It is specially important during pregnancy, as its lack can cause birth flaws. Therefore, it is added to items like cereals, pasta and bread. Beta carotene supplements raise white blood cells, boost immunity and forestall cancer. Vitamin B12 lack can happen due to a number of reasons, but anyone can absorb man made vitamin B12 in fortified food and vitamin supplements. Supplements of vitamin B complex help to fulfill the requirements of the B group. Vitamin C is used with salts in food additives and in other styles. Vitamin D is important for intake of calcium supplements, so the two are often combined as a supplement; 400 IU of vitamin D and 1200 mg of calcium supplements are required daily. Vitamin D is also required to take care of the correct numbers of calcium supplements and phosphorus in the blood, so supplements get to strengthen bone fragments and forestall cracks. Vitamin Okay supplements improve post-menopausal bone loss. E vitamin is not commonly present in the diet plan, but it is an essential antioxidant and prevents arteriosclerosis. A combination of antioxidants and zinc is given as a supplement to prevent age related macular deterioration.
