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Vitamins A - Z
The
function of Vitamins
Balance and Synergy
Vitamin A,
B1,
B2,
B3,
B5,
B6,
B12 Biotin
Bioflavonoids Choline
Coenzyme Q, Zinc
Vitamin
C,D,
E and K
Biotin-
Biotin
aids in cell growth, in fatty acid production, in the metabolism of carbohydrates,
fats, and proteins, and in the utilization of B-complex vitamins. Sufficient
quantities are needed for healthy hair and skin. Biotin may prevent hair
loss in some men. Biotin also promotes healthy sweat glands, nerve tissue,
and bone marrow.
Source
Biotin
is found in cooked egg yolk, salt-water fish, meat, milk, poultry, soybean,
whole grains, and yeast.
Choline-
Choline
is needed for nerve transmission, gallbladder regulation and liver function,
and lecithin formation. It minimize excess fat in the liver, aids in hormone
production, and is necessary in fat and cholesterol metabolism. Without
choline, brain function and memory are impaired. Choline is beneficial
for disorders of the nervous system such as Parkinson's disease and tardive
dyskinesis. A deficiency may result in fatty build-up in the liver.
Source
The
following food contains a significant amount of folic acid: barly, beans,
beef, brin, brewer's yeast, brown rice, cheese, chicken, dates, green leafy
vegetables, lamb, lentils, liver, milk, oranges, organ meat, split peas,
pork, root vegetables, salmon, tuna, wheat germs, whole grains, whole wheat,
and yeast.
Vitamin
C (Ascorbis Acid)-
Vitamin
C is an antioxidant that is required for tissue growth and repair, adrenal
gland function, and healthy gums. It protects against the harmful effects
of pollutions, prevents cancer, protects against infection, and enhance
immunity. It also may reduce cholesterol levels and high bloodp pressure,
and prevent atherosclerosis. Essential in the formation of collagen, vitamin
C protects against blood clotting and bruising, and promotes the healing
of wounds and the production of antistress hormones. It also aids in interferon
production, and is needed for the metabolism of folic acid, tyrosine, and
phenylalanine.
New
evidence indicates that vitamin C and vitamin E work synergistically, that
is, when they work together, they have a greater effect than when they
work separately. Vitamin E scavenges for dangerous oxygen radicals in the
cell membrane, while vitamin C breaks the free radical chain in biologic
fluids. Both these vitamin greatly extend antioxidant activity.
Source
Vitamin
C is found in green vegetables, berries, and citrus fruits. It is found
in asparagus, avocado, beet greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupe,
calloards, currants, grapefruit, kale, lemons, mangos, mustard greens,
onions, oranges, papayas, parsley, green peas, sweet peppers, peppers,
persimmons, pineapple, radished, rose hips, spinach, strawberry, swiss
chard, tomatoes, turnip greens, and watercress.
Vitamin
D-
Vitamin
D is required for calcium and hosphorous absorption and utilization. It
is necessary for growth, and is especially important for normal growth
and development of bones and teeth in children. It is important in the
prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, rickets, and hypocalcemia, and
it enhances immunity.
The
vitamin D that we get from food or supplements is not fully activated.
It requires conversion by the liver, and then by the kidney before it becomes
fully active. People with liver or kidney disorder are at a risk
for osteoporosis.
Because
the sun's ultraviolet rays can be converted to vitamin D, exposing the
face and arms to the sun three times a week is effective.
Source
Fish
liver oils, fatty salt-water fish, dairy products fortifed with vitamin
D, and egg s all contain vitamin D. It is found in alfalfa, butter, cod
liver oil, egg yolk, helibut, liver, milk, oatmeatl, salmon, sardines,
sweet potatoes, tuna, and vegetables oils. Vitamine D can be converted
from the action of sunlight on the skin.
Vitamin
E-
Vitamin
E is an antioxidant that prevents cancer and cardiovascular disease. This
supplement improves circulation, repairs tissue, and is useful in treating
fibrocystic breasts and premenstrual syndrome. It also promotes normal
clotting and healing, reduce scarring from some wounds, reduce blood pressure,
aids in preventing cataracts, improves athletic performance, and aids leg
cramps. Vitamin E also prevents cell damage by inhibiting lipid peroxidation
and the formation of free radicals. It retards aging and may prevent age
spots as well. The body needs zincin
order to maintain the proper levels vitamin E in the blood.
Source
Vitamin
E is found in the following food sources: cold pressed vegetable oils,
whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds, and legumes.
Significant quantities of this vitamin are also found in dry beans, brown
rice, cornmeal, eggs, desiccated liver, milk, oatmeal, organ meats, sweet
potatoes, and wheat germ.
Vitamin
K-
Vitamin
K is needed for blood clotting and may play a role in bone formation. It
may also prevents osteoporosis. In addition, vitamin K converts glucose
into glycogen for storage in the liver.
Source
Vitamin
K is found in alfalfa, broccoli, dark green leafy vegetables, and soybeans.
Other foods that contains vitamin K include blackstrap molasses, Brussels
sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, egg yolks, liver, oatmeal, oats, rye, safflower
oil, and wheat.
Bioflavonoids-
Although
bioflavonoids are not true Vitamins in the strictest sense, they are sometimes
referred to as vitamin P. Bioflavonoids enhance absorption of vitamin C,
and they should be taken together. There are many products and mixtures
of different bioflavonoids including hesperetin, hesperidin, eriodictyol,
quercetin, quercetrin, and rutin. The human body cannot produce bioflavonoids,
which must be supplied in the diet. They are used extensively in athletic
injuries because they relieve pain, bumps, and bruises. They also reduce
pain located in the leg or across the back and lessen symptoms associated
with prolonged bleeding and low serum calcium. Bioflavonoids acts synergistically
with vitamin C to protect and preserve the structure of capillary blood
vessels. In addition, bioflavonoids have an antibacterial effect and promote
circulation, stimulate bile production, lower cholesterol levels, and treat
and prevent cataracts. When taken with vitamin C, bidflavonoids also reduce
the symptoms of oral herpes.
Source
The
white material just beneath the peel of citrus fruits, peppers, buckwheat,
and black currants contains bioflavonoids. Sources of vitamin F include
apricots, cherries, grapefruit, grapes, lemons, oranges, prunes, and rose
hips.
Coenzyme
Q10-
Coenzyme
Q10 is a vitamin-like substance that resembles vitamin E, but which maybe
even more powerful antioxidant. It is also called ubiquinone. There are
ten common coenzymeQs, but Q10 is the only found in human tissue. Coenzyme
Q10 declines with age and should be supplemented in the diet. It plays
a crucial role in the effectiveness of the immune system and in the aging
process. The New England Institute reports that coenzyme Q alone is effective
in reducing mortality in experimental animals afflicted with tumors and
leukemia.
In
Japan, it is used in the treatment of heart disease and high blood pressure,
and is used to enhance the immune system. Research has revealed that use
of coenzyme Q10 benefits allergies, asthma, and respiratory disease, and
it is used to treat the brain for anomalies of mental function such as
those associated with schizophrenia ands Alzheimer's disease. It is Laos
beneficial in aging, obesity, candidiasis, multiple sclerosis, periodontal,
and diabetes. AIDS is a primary target for research on coenzyme Q10 because
its immense benefits to the immune system. Early research in Japan has
shown coenzyme Q10 to protect the stomach lining and duodenum. It may help
heal duodenal ulcers. Coenzyme Q10 has the ability to counter histamine
and is valuable to allergy and asthma sufferers.
Source
Mackerel,
salmon, and sardine contain the largest amounts of coenzyme Q10.
Zinc
Serious
deficiencies of vitamin C are uncommon in Westernized countires. In fact,
common food and supplement habits in the United States probly ensure that
many Americans have enough vitamin C to tide them over while a wound heals.
By contrast, deficiencies of zinc-the mineral best known for its wound-healing
role - don't seem to be nearly so rare. In the United states, for instance,
mild zinc deficiencies has been documented even in children from affluent
families.
It's
certain tha zinc plays a role in the healing process. Sstudies show clearly
that wounds heal more slowly if zinc deficiency is present and that correcting
the deficiency makes a difference.
Source
Lamb,
lean pork, dark turkey meat, cowpeas, oysters, lima beans, milk, baked
potato, brown rice, salmon, wheat germ, bran cereal, lentiles, clams.
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