Posts Tagged ‘vitamin D’

Vitamin and Minerals

Friday, March 18th, 2011

Like all other kinds of nutrition, vitamins and minerals are also immensely important for a human body. People care about their protein intake as well as intakes of fiber, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, water and many other things but minerals are often ignored. Only a very few people know and care about the requirement of minerals in the body. Vitamins are important to and required by all living things but only in minute amounts. Different creatures would require different vitamins. For instance, Vitamin C, scientifically known as ascorbic acid, is only need by human beings. The major difference between minerals and vitamins is that vitamins are organic compounds and minerals are inorganic compounds.

Where vitamins are produced or synthesized within the body of a creature, minerals are taken in through water or plants. Plants have the tendency to absorb minerals in them from the soil and when they are consumed by animals and human beings, they are transferred into the body. Both the nutrients, vitamins and minerals, are highly important for living organisms as they no only make up a body but also contribute greatly towards its proper functioning. If the synthesis in the body or diet is not being able to compensate properly for the required amount of these nutrients, vitamin/minerals supplements are the way to go.

On the television and other forms of media, people often get to see very attractive advertisements of energy drinks, foodstuffs, cereals and other eatables. These advertisements claim a certain product to have all those minerals, vitamins, protein, fiber and other nutrients that a body would need and that they can invigorate the right amount of energy in the body. People need to understand the fact that even the most powerful of vitamins can not act as fast as these products claim and that they do not always contain the amount and type of vitamin that one would want. Hence, it is not advisable to believe in these ads. Vitamins could be of two types, either water-soluble or fat-soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins are the ones that can dissolve in fat and can be stored in the body. Some of the most commonly found fat-soluble vitamins are Vitamin A, K, D and E. water-soluble vitamins on the other hand dissolve in water and hence are lost from the body on daily basis along with water. They are lost mostly during urination. Hence these vitamins need to be taken freshly everyday or as frequently as possible. Some common water-soluble vitamins are Vitamin C and B which include B12, folate, niacin, B6 and riboflavin. Just like vitamins, different minerals are also needed in different amounts. Since calcium makes up the bones, it is required by the entire skeletal system and hence is required in the largest amount. Other minerals such as copper, selenium, zinc, chromium, iron and iodine are required in minute quantities. Hence they are known as trace minerals. The products whose advertisements that people get to see are never formulated for all kinds of bodies. They have a standard formula and are made according to a standard vitamin/minerals quantity. Hence they can not work for everyone.

Although vitamins are generally believed to be formed inside the bodies and the intake of vitamins is related to eating plants and herbs, it is quite possible that vitamin/minerals foods be eaten in almost all the cultures of the world. There are many foods that contain vitamins and minerals and are commonly eaten by people in many places. However, these foods do not work on a standard nutrition but like all other nutrients such as fiber, protein etc, they also have varying amounts of vitamins and minerals. In case of misbalance of either of these two nutrients in the body, doctors recommend a change in diet. This greatly helps balance the nutrients in the body. Hence this prescribed diet chart might be biased towards certain foods. For healthy people though, being biased towards certain foods and ignoring other might result in an opposite effect and spoil the health by increasing some nutrients too much and reducing others to a dangerous level. In case of health issues, people must try regaining their health and fighting back the problems by making best use of food rather than relying on supplements. This is because supplements mostly contain synthetically extracted parts of nutrients and hence can never be as healthy as food itself. Doctors recommend vitamin/minerals only in cases where patient can not take certain foods due to presence of other nutrients that are not to be taken.

With care and consideration, people can prepare the best possible foods, follow a healthy diet chart and live happy and healthy lives.

 

Vitamin and Minerals

Vitamin D Supplement

Monday, February 21st, 2011

Vitamins are one of the most importantly required nutrients for a human body. It is an organic compound and can not be synthesized by the body itself in sufficient amount, thus vitamins are to be obtained through proper diet. There are various kinds of vitamins such as Vitamin A that is also known as Retinol, Vitamin D that is also known as Calciferol and Vitamin E of which, another name is Tocopherol. Vitamin B has been classified into various types namely Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), Vitamin B7 (Biotin), Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) and Vitamin B12 (Cobalamins). There is also Vitamin K1 that is known to scientists and doctors as Phylioquinone. Different vitamins have different sources of food and most vitamins have been found to be present in meat, green vegetables, dairy products and citrus fruits.

One of the most important vitamins for the body is Vitamin D that has been classified as Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3. These are both fat soluble and are naturally produced in the skin of all vertebrates. The production is caused by exposure to ultraviolet B rays which could be from artificial sources or sunlight.  It natural production shortens, a vitamin D supplement is taken to meet the requirements of the body.

Although the amount of vitamin D naturally produced in the skin usually meets the demands, some foods also contain small amounts of it for the requirement to be met manually.

Vitamin D is mostly found in diary products, meat and fatty fish. However, the best choice to consume vitamin D is to consume mushrooms that have had a good exposure to sunlight. The importance of Vitamin D has been known to man since ancient time and hence today we see many nations where commonly consumed foods such as flour milk and margarine are artificially treated to contain the vitamin D content. For persons who lack sufficient exposure to UV light, a vitamin D supplement would be the best available choice.

Although the vitality of the presence of this substance in the body has always been given importance, it was not until 1913 that vitamin D was accidently found to be present in cod liver oil. Initially, its health benefits were confused to have been provided by vitamin A but a test of cod liver oil with destroyed vitamin A still provided it to be benefit. Hence, the amazing effects of vitamin D came to limelight.

Normally, 5μg of vitamin D is sufficient for a person be it a one year old baby or a 70 year old, people above 70 or 71 years of age are advised to increase the intake to around 10μg. This much amount is normally packed in one vitamin D supplement by most manufacturers. Hence people who are using these supplements need not to take more than one capsule per day. Consumption or requirement of this vitamin may however vary region to region according to climatic and health conditions as well as environment and lifestyle of people. Alongside ultraviolet light irradiated mushrooms, some of the most advisable foods that can effectively provide vitamin D are eggs, cod level oil and cooked beef liver.

The intake and balance of vitamin D in the body needs to be greatly considered as it deficiency can lead to a number of health hazards. Some of the most common problems to have occurred due to the deficiency of vitamin D are rickets, osteomalacia, cancer, Parkinson ’s Disease, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer ’s Disease along with many others. Most of the problems are related to bones and affect the sturdiness of bones, thus brining problems such as frequented fractures and undesirably shaping postures.
Bone thinning, softening, breaking, weakening and inefficiency are some of the major effects of the deficiency of vitamin D. Since the entire human body is supported by the skeletal system and hence the bones, it needs to be taken excellent care of. Any problem in the skeletal system might prove to be devastating for the whole body. Hence, the deficiency of vitamin D can not be ignored in any way.

Since natural production is a lot better than artificial intakes, one must try getting exposed to UVB light as much as possible and eat foods that help balance vitamin D in the body. Only those people who have problems getting exposed to light or health issues that forbid the consumption of eggs, fish and other vitamin D rich foods, should rely on the vitamin D supplement course. Healthy people must try producing as much of it from foods and light as possible for a happy and healthy life.

Multivitamin Supplements

Friday, January 21st, 2011

The human body is a well-crafted piece of art, with its fragile balance of different compounds and maintenance of homeostatic conditions to function faultlessly. There is a certain amount of input that the body needs in the form of diet for healthy operations. It is hard to keep track of exactly which nutrients and in what quantities is present in your meal. Knowing this, is important because you need to know if your body is receiving all the raw materials it needs to be claimed healthy. A nutrient which is not synthesized in the properly required amounts in the body is termed as a vitamin that is why physicians believe they need to be supplied to the body through artificial supplementation or through external dietary intake of foods containing vitamins.

Multivitamin supplements are care formulated to supplement a human diet and also contain a benefitting amount of dietary minerals along with many other nutritional elements. Different vitamins serve different functions in the body here are a few examples of Vitamin functions in the body.

Vitamin C:

Lack of this vital nutrient can result in weak muscles and crippling bone structure and the inability in a human to support his weight. You are vulnerable to diseases like Scurvy in which you can lose your teeth due to weekend gums, brown spots start appearing all over your skin. A natural source of Vitamin C is Citrus fruits. Multivitamin supplements carry only the required amount per dosage that the body needs per day to function properly.

Vitamin B family:

It is an important ingredient when it comes to determining the rate of metabolism of a person. It accounts for the production of various hormones, deficiency of which can result in various diseases such as a low metabolic rate. Also various skin problems can arise as a result of low levels of this vitamin for example lack of vitamin B2 may cause cracks in lips, high sensitivity to sunlight, deficiency of B5 can result in Acne and parasthesia.

Vitamin A:

Perhaps the most common of all vitamin deficiencies as recorded by W.H.O (World Health Organization) that an estimated number of 500,000 children in developing countries go blind each year due to the lack of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is a crucial nutrient required by the body to maintain proper eye functioning. Vitamin A is one of the many vital nutrients provided by Multivitamin Supplements.

Vitamin D:

Children suffer from stunted bone growth and muscle weakness due to the lack of Vitamin D or scientifically known as Hypovitaminosis D. The resulting disease known as rickets can weaken bones to an extent to cause paralysis for the rest of an individual’s life. Osteomalacia a condition which can cause the thinning of bones which is also a consequence of the lack of Vitamin D.

Vitamin E:

Deficiency of Vitamin E can cause disturbance in the nervous system as a person deficient in vitamin E can suffer from poor nerve conduction.

Benefits of Multivitamins:

  1. One Pill a Day Covers all, taking different supplementations for different nutrients can be quite a nuisance; multivitamins provide the right amount of every vitamin calculated down to the nearest micro gram to achieve perfection in quantity.
  2. You feel healthier when your body is provided with all the right constituents to be healthy as even the slightest of deficiency of a vitamin can be a door to various diseases.
  3. Multivitamins come in Liquids, tablets, capsules, and also gel forms, making them easy to consume. It is recommended to take them in either liquid or capsule form because the largely available multivitamin tablets are harder for your body to break down.

Multivitamins are the most important nutritional supplement a person can take as it is a part of nature’s plan for these vitalities to be induced in the body externally because they are not naturally synthesized and yet they are an essential component of a healthy diet.

Although multivitamins provide seamless bilogical advantages, their intake and requirement can be case sensitive so it is best to consult your physician to know what best suits your body for optimum results.

Power Bar

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

Power Bar

Our health is the jewel in the crown of our existence; it shines upon our daily lives as we perform the most meager of tasks energetically. The casket to that jewel is a balanced nutrition diet and strenuous exercise. Today’s athletes have a greater energy requirement than any other health product consumption sector. Providing you with those instant bursts of vigor in your body when you’re feeling let down by your bodily enthusiasm.

They are proven to improve your level of stamina to push you through those extra crunches or pushups, they are the best nutritional composition when it comes to choosing something when you’re fatigued after some hard hours at the gym and your hungry but don’t want those extra calories back that you just threw out the window!

The key in identifying the right bar that suit your needs is going through the ingredients. The main advantage delivered by energy bars such as power bars is the fact that they provide meal equivalent nutrition in a compact form making them convenient to carry around to be consumed in awry and fatigued situations. Just think of the post sex periods when you feel drained of stamina, power bars are the way to go as they can revitalize your body and to an extent restore your stamina.

Or a lazy afternoon in the office when you feel less likely to have lunch as you drown yourself in paper work, have a power bar to ignite the engine of power inside your body and get it done!

The nutritional value of a Powerbar is no hidden fact and it only accentuates the healthy goodness the bar provides. A well calculated value of fat included in the bar in a low amount as well as low levels of sodium to keep that blood pressure to a stable level as high levels of sodium can result is consequences such as high blood pressure leading to heart attacks. Intensely packed with vital nutrients required by the body in excess such as iron, the main constituent of hemoglobin a vital requirement in the formation of red blood cells because with the increase in red blood cells the amount of oxygen supplied to the body in an instance is also increased thus enhancing your stamina. Vitamins are specifically designated to their functions in the body from determining the tome of your skin through melanin production by vitamin D to the strengthening of bones by vitamin-C.

The ever so helpful clinical element of riboflavin is no less than a key player in the protection of bones, since its discovery 30 years ago its supplementation has been tested to cure neonatal jaundice by providing strength to bone tissue! In fatigue it is known to relieve muscular pain.

Sticking to a well-rehearsed diet can be boring for the taste buds but not in this case as the Powerbar is available in a variety of different flavors ranging from vanilla crisp to peanut butter choose the one that best pleases your senses along with satisfying your nutritional needs. Slide one inside your pocket when going out for jogging, crunch one down on your way to the office, savor its flavor after a long rewarding session at the gym or conjure up the energy to go at it again with the aid of Powerbar.

While energy bars are a well formulated source of a balanced diet, they are in no way substitutes for a real meal, the number of nutrients on the horizon is far beyond counting and some yet to be discovered but energy bars can help raise your stamina in situations where strenuous muscle functioning is required!

The Healthiest Foods You Can Get

Friday, May 7th, 2010

The following is a list of the healthiest foods that you can get.  This will help you get an idea as to what foods are the best for your body.

  • Fruit

  • Apricots
    Apricots contain Beta-carotene which helps to prevent radical damage and also helps to protect the eyes.  A single apricot contains 17 calories, 0 fat, and 1 gram of fiber.  You can eat them dried or soft.
  • Mango
    A medium sized mango packs 57 MG of vitamin C, which is nearly your entire daily dose.  This antioxidant will help prevent arthritis and also boost your immune system. …read more