Roles Of Vitamin B2 In Human Health And Functioning
By Din Lubis
Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, is a member of the group of eight vitamins that make up the nutritional powerhouse known as the Vitamin B complex. These vitamins are vital to the functioning of the body in almost every way, playing important roles in each of the bodily systems.
In addition to their powerful influence on the physical health of the body, the Vitamin B complex is essential to mental functioning, including cognition and the stability of emotional response. There are many role of vitamin B2 in human health and functioning.
Vitamin B2 is an essential part of the fundamental workings of the blood. It serves in the production of red blood cells, the means by which oxygen, vital to every cell in the body, is transported through the circulatory system. It is also essential in the production of antibodies and the body’s absorption of iron.
It serves the digestive system by helping the body to make use of the energy potential in carbohydrates. It serves to protect the health of the mucus membranes, especially those that act within the digestive process to keep the foods consumed moving smoothly through the digestive tract. It is a cofactor, or partner, in the metabolism of amino acids, fatty acids, and certain proteins.
Because it plays a role in the regulation of the activity of the thyroid, it is important to normal growth and development, as well as to the reproductive system. Vitamin B2 serves as a cofactor to Vitamin B6, which could not be active within the body without Vitamin B2, in many processes and also helps in making niacin useful to the body.
It also has a role in adrenal gland function. It is important to tissue repair in the body, and helps to keep the skin healthy, as well as the hair and the fingernails and toenails. It is essential to good vision, and may play a role in the prevention of cataracts.
Deficiency in Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, can cause a variety of physical and mental symptoms. Among these are skin disorders that range from simple dermatitis to open sores on the internal and external parts of the mouth, inflammation of the inner mouth and tongue, hair loss, slow or retarded growth, vision problems, itching, burning and watering of eyes, digestive difficulties, tremors, and oily skin.
Mental symptoms include dizziness, slowed mental processes, and insomnia, which can serve to make any and all of the other symptoms much feel worse. Children, depending on size and weight, need between .6mg to .9mg of Vitamin B2 per day. Adult males generally need about 1.3mg daily of Vitamin B2. Adult females require 1.1mg daily, and should increase the daily dosage to 1.5mg if pregnant or breastfeeding.
The Vitamin B complex nutrients are essential to the functioning and health of the body and the mind, and it is important to avoid deficiencies. Vitamin supplements serve as a safe and effective means of guaranteeing that your body has the Vitamin B2 that it needs each and every day.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Vitamin B1 In The Body And The Brain
By Din Lubis
Vitamin B1, also called thiamine, is one of the eight vitamins that make up the powerful Vitamin B complex. Like all of the B vitamins, this nutrient plays a great role in the health of the body and the health of the mind. Care should be taken to maintain the recommended daily intake levels of this essential nutrient, as the results of deficiencies can be devastating in nature.
Vitamin B1 serves many purposes in the body. It is an essential part of converting carbohydrates to energy, and necessary to the proper functioning of the nervous system, the heart and the musculature system of the body. Thiamine is very important to the brain, particularly in terms of emotional health and well being, as well as being useful for focus and concentration.
There are a variety of physical conditions and diseases associated with deficiencies in Vitamin B1. Symptoms include pain, numbness and tingling in the extremities, muscle weakness and a lack of physical coordination, particularly in the larger muscle masses that make up the leg muscles.
A deficiency in thiamine can cause enlargement of the heart, which can itself lead to congestive heart failure, and lung congestion. A severe deficiency in Vitamin B1 can lead to nerve damage, brain damage and even death. Mental symptoms associated with a serious lack of Vitamin B include fatigue, psychosis, and confusion.
These are a few serious diseases specifically associated with a deficiency of Vitamin B1, including the notorious beriberi disease. There are also two specific types of brain damage associated with severely low levels of Vitamin B1. One, Korsakoff syndrome, results in confusion and short term memory loss. Another, Wernicke’s Disease has symptoms that include vision disturbances and irregularities, an unsteady walk, and mental confusion.
Despite the obvious importance of Vitamin B1 to many of the body’s important functions, a great deal of people regularly fail to meet the recommended daily intake levels. Alcoholics are particularly vulnerable to being deficient in Vitamin B1, because alcohol ruins the B vitamins.
Illnesses that force bodily fluids from the body, such as chronic diarrhea, can deplete the body’s levels of thiamine, because it is a water-soluble vitamin and the body needs to have its supply renewed every day. There are also rare conditions that interfere with the body’s ability to use Vitamin B1 properly.
Dietary supplements are an affordable, safe and effective way to consistently meet the recommended daily intake levels of Vitamin B1. It is especially important, however, when taking supplements to use them with care and attention, because taking too much Vitamin B1 can cause adverse side effects and even serious health problems.
As with all substances, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. While there are certain health situations that do call for higher than average doses of this powerful B vitamin, high dosages should only be taken while under the direct care of a qualified health care professional. Like any other medication or dietary supplement, Vitamin B1 supplements should always be kept well out of the reach of children.
By Din Lubis
Vitamin B1, also called thiamine, is one of the eight vitamins that make up the powerful Vitamin B complex. Like all of the B vitamins, this nutrient plays a great role in the health of the body and the health of the mind. Care should be taken to maintain the recommended daily intake levels of this essential nutrient, as the results of deficiencies can be devastating in nature.
Vitamin B1 serves many purposes in the body. It is an essential part of converting carbohydrates to energy, and necessary to the proper functioning of the nervous system, the heart and the musculature system of the body. Thiamine is very important to the brain, particularly in terms of emotional health and well being, as well as being useful for focus and concentration.
There are a variety of physical conditions and diseases associated with deficiencies in Vitamin B1. Symptoms include pain, numbness and tingling in the extremities, muscle weakness and a lack of physical coordination, particularly in the larger muscle masses that make up the leg muscles.
A deficiency in thiamine can cause enlargement of the heart, which can itself lead to congestive heart failure, and lung congestion. A severe deficiency in Vitamin B1 can lead to nerve damage, brain damage and even death. Mental symptoms associated with a serious lack of Vitamin B include fatigue, psychosis, and confusion.
These are a few serious diseases specifically associated with a deficiency of Vitamin B1, including the notorious beriberi disease. There are also two specific types of brain damage associated with severely low levels of Vitamin B1. One, Korsakoff syndrome, results in confusion and short term memory loss. Another, Wernicke’s Disease has symptoms that include vision disturbances and irregularities, an unsteady walk, and mental confusion.
Despite the obvious importance of Vitamin B1 to many of the body’s important functions, a great deal of people regularly fail to meet the recommended daily intake levels. Alcoholics are particularly vulnerable to being deficient in Vitamin B1, because alcohol ruins the B vitamins.
Illnesses that force bodily fluids from the body, such as chronic diarrhea, can deplete the body’s levels of thiamine, because it is a water-soluble vitamin and the body needs to have its supply renewed every day. There are also rare conditions that interfere with the body’s ability to use Vitamin B1 properly.
Dietary supplements are an affordable, safe and effective way to consistently meet the recommended daily intake levels of Vitamin B1. It is especially important, however, when taking supplements to use them with care and attention, because taking too much Vitamin B1 can cause adverse side effects and even serious health problems.
As with all substances, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. While there are certain health situations that do call for higher than average doses of this powerful B vitamin, high dosages should only be taken while under the direct care of a qualified health care professional. Like any other medication or dietary supplement, Vitamin B1 supplements should always be kept well out of the reach of children.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
What Vitamin A Does For The Body
By Din Lubis
Recent survey have found that most people do not consume enough Vitamin A in their daily diets. This is unfortunate, because Vitamin A is essential to good health. In fact, serious health problems can result from long-term, serious Vitamin A deficiencies.
Vitamin A is important from the very beginning of life. Pregnant women must be sure to consume sufficient amounts of Vitamin A, which will be more than they needed before pregnancy, because Vitamin A plays a great role in the proper physical development of a baby. It helps to promote proper cell differentiation, which is the specialization of cells upon division to take over certain tasks, meaning that cells for the heart take on their characteristics, those for the liver take on theirs, those for the brain take on their own characteristics and functions, and so on. Vitamin A also serves in bone growth and development, as well as in the general growth and development of the body.
Vitamin A has a significant part in the quality and functioning of the body’s immune system. One facet of this functioning has to do with the skin and body’s mucus membranes. The skin and mucus membranes serve a very practical purpose for the body. These operate as barriers against bacteria and viruses, protecting against infection and disease. Vitamin A helps to keep the skin and mucus membranes healthy and able to serve their primary purpose.
As we’ve all heard through the years, carrots are good for the eyes. That is because they are a good source of Vitamin A, which is essential to vision. In fact, a serious deficiency in Vitamin A can result in blindness. Many children living in poverty in developing nations throughout the world have become blind simply because of the lack of Vitamin A in their diets.
Vitamin A also serves to keep the surface linings of the intestinal, urinary and respiratory tracts healthy. This offers protection from bacteria, as well has promotes proper functioning.
One of the more common units of measure for Vitamin A found on packaging labels of food and dietary vitamin supplements is the International Unit, or IU. Adult and teenaged males should be sure to consume at total of 3,000 IU of Vitamin A per day. Adult women and teenaged females should have 2,310 IU per day, 2,565 IU per day if pregnant and 4,300 IU per day if breastfeeding. For children ages 9 through 13, 2,000 IU is the recommended daily intake, with 1,320 IU being sufficient for those aged 4 through 8. From the first year through age 3, 1,000 IU is recommended.
Using dietary supplements to complete a healthy diet can ensure that the body receives the nutrients it needs for optimum performance. However, it is important to heed label and doctor recommendations for the best amount to be taken for your dietary needs.
By Din Lubis
Recent survey have found that most people do not consume enough Vitamin A in their daily diets. This is unfortunate, because Vitamin A is essential to good health. In fact, serious health problems can result from long-term, serious Vitamin A deficiencies.
Vitamin A is important from the very beginning of life. Pregnant women must be sure to consume sufficient amounts of Vitamin A, which will be more than they needed before pregnancy, because Vitamin A plays a great role in the proper physical development of a baby. It helps to promote proper cell differentiation, which is the specialization of cells upon division to take over certain tasks, meaning that cells for the heart take on their characteristics, those for the liver take on theirs, those for the brain take on their own characteristics and functions, and so on. Vitamin A also serves in bone growth and development, as well as in the general growth and development of the body.
Vitamin A has a significant part in the quality and functioning of the body’s immune system. One facet of this functioning has to do with the skin and body’s mucus membranes. The skin and mucus membranes serve a very practical purpose for the body. These operate as barriers against bacteria and viruses, protecting against infection and disease. Vitamin A helps to keep the skin and mucus membranes healthy and able to serve their primary purpose.
As we’ve all heard through the years, carrots are good for the eyes. That is because they are a good source of Vitamin A, which is essential to vision. In fact, a serious deficiency in Vitamin A can result in blindness. Many children living in poverty in developing nations throughout the world have become blind simply because of the lack of Vitamin A in their diets.
Vitamin A also serves to keep the surface linings of the intestinal, urinary and respiratory tracts healthy. This offers protection from bacteria, as well has promotes proper functioning.
One of the more common units of measure for Vitamin A found on packaging labels of food and dietary vitamin supplements is the International Unit, or IU. Adult and teenaged males should be sure to consume at total of 3,000 IU of Vitamin A per day. Adult women and teenaged females should have 2,310 IU per day, 2,565 IU per day if pregnant and 4,300 IU per day if breastfeeding. For children ages 9 through 13, 2,000 IU is the recommended daily intake, with 1,320 IU being sufficient for those aged 4 through 8. From the first year through age 3, 1,000 IU is recommended.
Using dietary supplements to complete a healthy diet can ensure that the body receives the nutrients it needs for optimum performance. However, it is important to heed label and doctor recommendations for the best amount to be taken for your dietary needs.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
WHAT ARE VITAMINS ?
By Din Lubis
Vitamins are substances necessary to mantain life. The word vita means life. These substances formed by plants or animals which must be supplied to the body in tiny quantities so that the vital processes can continue as they should.
Until late in the 19th century,a peculiar and dangerous disease called “scurvy” used to cause serious illness among the crews sailing ships all over the world. Late in the 18th century,it was discovered that the eating of fresh fruits and vegetables cured the desease. It took scientist 100 years to find out that this desease happened because fresh foods contained vitamin!
Because they didn’t know the exact chemical nature of these vitamins,they didn’t give them names but simply called them vitamins A,B,C,D,etc. Let us see why some of these vitamins are necessary for good health.
Vitamin A is always found in association with fat in animal body. It is formed in growing plants and transferred to animals when they eat plants.Vitamin A helps prevent infection. It is found in egg yolk,milk,cold liver oil ,liver,and in carrots ,.spinach and lettuce.
Vitamin B,or the “B complex” as it is called,was for many years thought to be one vitamin. Now it is known to be at least six different vitamins. These are called “B1,B2”, etc.Vitamin B1 is necessary for prevention of certain nervous desease,and its absence cause a desease called “beriberi”. Vitamin B1 is found in fresh vegetables,fresh fruits , whole grain cereals, and milk. Vitamin B1 must be constantly replaced in the body.
Another important vitamin is vitamin C .Absence of this vitamin causes scurvy. The joints become stiff, teeth become loose, and the bone become weak. Orange, tomatoes, and cabbage are rich in vitamin C.The body is unable to store vitamin C so it must be replace constantly.
Vitamin D is important for infants in proper bone development and for teeth. This vitamin is found in great quantities in egg yolk, cold liver oil, and liver. Sunligh provides our body with vitamin D, too .If you eat well-balanced diet, you are probably getting enough of the vitamin you need.
Vitamin E protect vitamin A in the body,allowing it to perform its essential functions. Furthermore , vitamin E is also one of the anti-oxidants that serve to protect the cells of the body from damaging free radicals,wich are waste product from the making of energy. Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils and nuts, as it is in dark,leavy green vegetables.
We know that there are certain foods we should eat,such as fresh vegetables and fruits. But often we do not, pressed by time os simple through a lack of desire, many of us simply do not consume near enough of these important food. In these circumstances,vitamin supplement may be the best choice to ensure that the body gets what it needs to be stong and healthy. [M1]
[M1]
By Din Lubis
Vitamins are substances necessary to mantain life. The word vita means life. These substances formed by plants or animals which must be supplied to the body in tiny quantities so that the vital processes can continue as they should.
Until late in the 19th century,a peculiar and dangerous disease called “scurvy” used to cause serious illness among the crews sailing ships all over the world. Late in the 18th century,it was discovered that the eating of fresh fruits and vegetables cured the desease. It took scientist 100 years to find out that this desease happened because fresh foods contained vitamin!
Because they didn’t know the exact chemical nature of these vitamins,they didn’t give them names but simply called them vitamins A,B,C,D,etc. Let us see why some of these vitamins are necessary for good health.
Vitamin A is always found in association with fat in animal body. It is formed in growing plants and transferred to animals when they eat plants.Vitamin A helps prevent infection. It is found in egg yolk,milk,cold liver oil ,liver,and in carrots ,.spinach and lettuce.
Vitamin B,or the “B complex” as it is called,was for many years thought to be one vitamin. Now it is known to be at least six different vitamins. These are called “B1,B2”, etc.Vitamin B1 is necessary for prevention of certain nervous desease,and its absence cause a desease called “beriberi”. Vitamin B1 is found in fresh vegetables,fresh fruits , whole grain cereals, and milk. Vitamin B1 must be constantly replaced in the body.
Another important vitamin is vitamin C .Absence of this vitamin causes scurvy. The joints become stiff, teeth become loose, and the bone become weak. Orange, tomatoes, and cabbage are rich in vitamin C.The body is unable to store vitamin C so it must be replace constantly.
Vitamin D is important for infants in proper bone development and for teeth. This vitamin is found in great quantities in egg yolk, cold liver oil, and liver. Sunligh provides our body with vitamin D, too .If you eat well-balanced diet, you are probably getting enough of the vitamin you need.
Vitamin E protect vitamin A in the body,allowing it to perform its essential functions. Furthermore , vitamin E is also one of the anti-oxidants that serve to protect the cells of the body from damaging free radicals,wich are waste product from the making of energy. Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils and nuts, as it is in dark,leavy green vegetables.
We know that there are certain foods we should eat,such as fresh vegetables and fruits. But often we do not, pressed by time os simple through a lack of desire, many of us simply do not consume near enough of these important food. In these circumstances,vitamin supplement may be the best choice to ensure that the body gets what it needs to be stong and healthy. [M1]
[M1]
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