How To Know If You Need Vitamin Supplements
By Jeff Matson
Taking vitamin and mineral supplements is perhaps one of themost controversial issues regarding healthy living. The lack ofvitamins in your diet can be unhealthy, but too many vitaminscan also put your health in danger. So, how do you know iftaking vitamin and mineral supplements is necessary for you?Ask yourself the following questions in order to determine ifyou may need vitamin supplementation for a healthier lifestyle:
Am I Stressed? If you are constantly stressed-out due to work,relationships, family or any other situation, your adrenalglands may be working overtime. This can potentially causefatigue and headaches.
Treatment: Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin E and Vitamin Csupplements can help with this problem.
Is My Immune System Up to Par? Do you constantly find yourselfcatching colds and the flu more frequently than others? You mayneed to boost your immune system with vitamins and mineralswhich provide the nutrients needed to fight these viruses.
Treatment: Vitamin C supplement, Zinc and Manganese will do thetrick.
Do I smoke? I’m sure you’re aware that this habit is unhealthybut smoking uses up vitamin C and puts you at higher risk ofosteoporosis.
Treatment: Vitamin C supplements and calcium supplements willhelp reduce your chances of osteoporosis and provide you withthe adequate amount of vitamin C.
Am I Pregnant? Pregnant and hormonal women often lack invitamin B-6. If you do not receive enough of this vitamin itcan be harmful to you and your baby.
Treatment: Take a vitamin B-6 supplement, but make sure not totake doses of more than 500mg per day without a Doctor’srecommendation.
Am I on a Diet? If you are on a low-carb, low-fat or any formof diet you are probably not receiving the vitamins necessaryfor healthy living. Individuals on diets very rarely eat foodsfrom all the major food groups and if they do, they usually donot eat the required amounts.
Treatment: Depending on the type of diet and the foods you eat,you may require a multi-vitamin supplement or specificsupplements of Vitamin A, B, C, D, E or K.
Answering yes to any of the questions above does notnecessarily mean that vitamin or mineral supplements arecrucial to healthy living. The situations listed above aremerely a guideline to help individuals who already feel asthough they are lacking the vitamins and minerals in theirdiets. It is important to remember that vitamin supplements aremeant to accompany food and are in no way meant as a replacementfor a healthy diet.
Health-related information changes frequently, and while everyattempt has been made to ensure the content in this article isup to date and accurate, you should always check with a doctoror nutritional expert before undertaking any substantial changein diet or lifestyle.
About the Author: Jeff Matson is an avid health enthusiast whoowned and operated his own natural health food store. Nowretired, Jeff spends his time keeping fit, walking marathonsand writing articles as a contributing editor forhttp://www.vitamin-insight.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Friday, August 25, 2006
Vitamin Supplement
Vitamin D Is A Nutrient That Is Essential To Bone Strength And Health
By Din LubisVitamin D is a nutrient that works in partnership with several other vitamins and minerals to keep the body health and strong. However, it should be noted that of the essential vitamins, Vitamin D is among the most difficult to obtain the daily requirement through naturally occurring sources.
Most of those concerned with making sure that they consume enough Vitamin D rely upon Vitamin D fortified foods and vitamin supplements to achieve sufficient daily intake.
Especially important in bone heath and strength, Vitamin D helps to ensure calcium absorption. It can increase calcium absorption by 30% to 80%. Rickets and other diseases that cause the bones to be weak, misshapen or brittle are a great risk for those who consistently do not meet the daily intake requirements of Vitamin D.
Recent scientific research has found that role of Vitamin D, in addition to being beneficial to the immune system, plays a significant role in cell growth and differentiation, meaning the cells take on the specialized characteristics necessary to perform tasks in specific parts of the body.
In order to have a sufficient intake of Vitamin D, adults older than 70 should have 600 International Units, or IU, per day and those from 51 years of age to 70 should have 400 IU each day. People from 14 years of age through to 50 years should have 200 IU daily, and children should also have a daily Vitamin D intake of 200 IU.
Sunlight plays a role in making Vitamin D useful for the body, and is one the more important natural ways of helping to obtain the daily intake requirement of this important nutrient. As lifestyles have changed through the years, people are not getting the same degree of sun exposure today as they have in the past. In addition, in certain geographic regions, sun exposure is reduced for a good part of the year due to winter weather conditions.
That means that there is a significant portion of the population that is at risk of failing to meet the daily requirement levels of Vitamin D. For example, those who live in the northeast, those who work inside, and those who may be older and have health problems that keep them inside more than they were when more active may suffer deficiencies.
People who have a high melanin level, those with darker skin tones, may also not be getting enough Vitamin D, for the melanin that offers certain protections also interferes with Vitamin D production. For these groups especially, Vitamin D supplements should be seriously considered. Simple and safe, it is a good option.
Breastfed babies also may suffer from Vitamin D deficiency. However, with the nearly immeasurable benefits of breastfeeding, a simple oral supplement prescribed by a health care professional is the very best option.
Vitamin D is a nutrient that is essential to bone strength and health. Changing lifestyles and geographic location, in addition to other natural factors, can make it difficult to obtain the most effective daily intake requirements for many people. Using a safe and simple dietary supplement containing Vitamin D can be an important part of maintaining your health.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Where To Find Reliable Vitamin Supplement Information
By Beverly Taylor
More than 40 million Americans take vitamin supplements and less than 10 percent of them are doing so under a doctor’sguidance. Where, then are they getting the information theyneed to make informed decisions about vitamin supplements?
My friend, the Vitamin Queen, takes more vitamins andsupplements than a strawberry has seeds. I’m in the process ofremembering not to say anything hurts around her for fear shewill make me swallow her latest discovery. Her middle name isAntioxidant and I asked her once how she knew this particularsupplement would wash her car, iron her clothes and paint hertoenails pink. She showed me this catalogue-type publicationand pointed to the article – by the very man who was sellingit!
She gets mad at me when I talk to her about doing independentresearch on her potions but that’s what you’ve got to do. Ifall you’re going to do is believe the hype that everymanufacturer gives you, then you’re likely to miss somevaluable information. Instead, why not check trustedindependent sources for your vitamin supplement information?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awebsite full of nutritional facts and figures, includingvitamin supplement information. The American Cancer Societyaddresses this very issue as unfortunately, cancer patients cansometimes be particularly susceptible to wild claims of healthand healing by unscrupulous marketers of vitamins, minerals andherbs.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a wealth of vitaminsupplement information on their website, including what the lawsays about the labeling on dietary supplements. The FTCregulates the advertising end of this industry and has takenaction with more than a few who have made false claims abouttheir products. You can find examples of some who have erred ontheir website.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates dietarysupplements as food, not as drugs. Therefore, the claims madeby the manufactures of these supplements have not beenevaluated by the FDA. You’ll find some such statements on mostdietary supplements. The FDA also has a wealth of vitaminsupplement information on their website along with reports offraudulent claims made by some perpetrators.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) website is acomprehensive source of vitamin supplement information. TheMayo clinic’s website and about.com are other independentsources of dietary supplement information.
It’s important to make an informed decision about whichvitamins and supplements you feel are safe and necessary totake. The websites and publications developed by those who sellthese supplements are not always honest about them. Vitaminsupplement information is especially important when you aretaking prescription or over-the-counter medication as evenvitamins can interact negatively with some drugs. Be proactiveand read more than just the label when evaluating your dietarysupplement choices.
About the Author: Beverly Taylor makes it easy to learn aboutvitamin supplements and their benefits on your health. Toreceive a free report that reveals shocking secrets aboutvitamin supplements visithttp://www.VitaminSupplements4Life.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
By Beverly Taylor
More than 40 million Americans take vitamin supplements and less than 10 percent of them are doing so under a doctor’sguidance. Where, then are they getting the information theyneed to make informed decisions about vitamin supplements?
My friend, the Vitamin Queen, takes more vitamins andsupplements than a strawberry has seeds. I’m in the process ofremembering not to say anything hurts around her for fear shewill make me swallow her latest discovery. Her middle name isAntioxidant and I asked her once how she knew this particularsupplement would wash her car, iron her clothes and paint hertoenails pink. She showed me this catalogue-type publicationand pointed to the article – by the very man who was sellingit!
She gets mad at me when I talk to her about doing independentresearch on her potions but that’s what you’ve got to do. Ifall you’re going to do is believe the hype that everymanufacturer gives you, then you’re likely to miss somevaluable information. Instead, why not check trustedindependent sources for your vitamin supplement information?
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awebsite full of nutritional facts and figures, includingvitamin supplement information. The American Cancer Societyaddresses this very issue as unfortunately, cancer patients cansometimes be particularly susceptible to wild claims of healthand healing by unscrupulous marketers of vitamins, minerals andherbs.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a wealth of vitaminsupplement information on their website, including what the lawsays about the labeling on dietary supplements. The FTCregulates the advertising end of this industry and has takenaction with more than a few who have made false claims abouttheir products. You can find examples of some who have erred ontheir website.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates dietarysupplements as food, not as drugs. Therefore, the claims madeby the manufactures of these supplements have not beenevaluated by the FDA. You’ll find some such statements on mostdietary supplements. The FDA also has a wealth of vitaminsupplement information on their website along with reports offraudulent claims made by some perpetrators.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) website is acomprehensive source of vitamin supplement information. TheMayo clinic’s website and about.com are other independentsources of dietary supplement information.
It’s important to make an informed decision about whichvitamins and supplements you feel are safe and necessary totake. The websites and publications developed by those who sellthese supplements are not always honest about them. Vitaminsupplement information is especially important when you aretaking prescription or over-the-counter medication as evenvitamins can interact negatively with some drugs. Be proactiveand read more than just the label when evaluating your dietarysupplement choices.
About the Author: Beverly Taylor makes it easy to learn aboutvitamin supplements and their benefits on your health. Toreceive a free report that reveals shocking secrets aboutvitamin supplements visithttp://www.VitaminSupplements4Life.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Best Vitamin Supplements - 3 Criteria A Best Vitamin Supplement Should Meet
By Olinda Rola
Best vitamin supplements must meet high standards in threecritical areas. Quality in all three areas is vital not onlyfor health benefits but for safety reasons as well. The bestvitamin supplements should excel in these ways:
1. The Design of the Supplement - the term 'efficacy' means 'toproduce an effect'. When combined correctly, the effects orefficacy of certain vitamins and minerals in the body can beincreased several times. And substances, whether natural orsynthetic, when mixed together, can form other undesired ordangerous substances if they are not combined scientifically.When creating a complex best vitamin supplement formula, theprofessional qualifications of the design staff is a crucialpart of the process.
2. The Quality of the Ingredients - there can be enormousdifferences in quality and potency as well as differences incosts of the individual ingredients. Priority should be givento quality, potency and purity with the best vitaminsupplements since the final product will only be as good as theraw ingredients used. The manufacturer must have a system inplace to verify that the ingredients used are as the suppliersclaim.
3. The Procedures Used in Manufacturing - the large volumevitamin manufacturers may use a ribbon type blender and mixingredients for only about 20 minutes. This means that low dosesubstances may not be mixed properly. The time that passes aftermixing before encapsulating or tableting is important - lessthan two hours between blending and tableting makes sure thatthe blend's integrity remains intact during the manufacturingprocess. The only dependable way to be sure you are getting thebest vitamin supplements is to buy them from a facility thatmeets pharmaceutical industry production standards.
Are vitamin and mineral supplements really needed? Numerousstudies have concluded that because of soil depletion, theoverall nutrient value of foods has been declining for decades.Also, even the best vitamin supplements cannot substitute for apoor diet. Eating mostly junk food and taking vitamins will notprovide you with the nutrients you will obtain with vegetablesand fruits. Vitamin supplements should be consideredsupplements, not replacements for food. For example, the latestUSDA food pyramid recommends consuming 2.5 cups of vegetables aday for women and 3 cups a day for men - most people do not.
The best vitamin supplements cannot be the one-a-day type. Why?One capsule or tablet simply cannot hold all that's needed innecessary quantities - it would be way too large to swallow.One-a-day vitamins are probably a waste of money. And on theother hand, it is easy to end up with a dozen or moreindividual vitamins to take daily, requiring bottles andbottles which is both a hassle and expensive.
And finally, women need a different vitamin formula than men. Awoman's supplement should contain nutrients that are proven byclinical studies to support the balancing of female hormonesbefore, during and after menopause. The best vitaminsupplements for men should contain ingredients specifically forsupporting healthy male prostate. Including ingredients provenin clinical studies for the prevention of BPH or enlargedprostate is an important part of the best vitamin supplementsfor men.
Yes, there are manufacturers that meet or exceed the abovecriteria. Learn as much as you can about what finding the bestvitamin supplements really means - before spending your money,be informed about the products you will be taking every day.
Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing
About the Author: Read more about best vitamin supplements athttp://www.safemenopausesolutions.com/resources.html OlindaRola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster ofhttp://www.safemenopausesolutions.com a website of naturalhealth articles.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
By Olinda Rola
Best vitamin supplements must meet high standards in threecritical areas. Quality in all three areas is vital not onlyfor health benefits but for safety reasons as well. The bestvitamin supplements should excel in these ways:
1. The Design of the Supplement - the term 'efficacy' means 'toproduce an effect'. When combined correctly, the effects orefficacy of certain vitamins and minerals in the body can beincreased several times. And substances, whether natural orsynthetic, when mixed together, can form other undesired ordangerous substances if they are not combined scientifically.When creating a complex best vitamin supplement formula, theprofessional qualifications of the design staff is a crucialpart of the process.
2. The Quality of the Ingredients - there can be enormousdifferences in quality and potency as well as differences incosts of the individual ingredients. Priority should be givento quality, potency and purity with the best vitaminsupplements since the final product will only be as good as theraw ingredients used. The manufacturer must have a system inplace to verify that the ingredients used are as the suppliersclaim.
3. The Procedures Used in Manufacturing - the large volumevitamin manufacturers may use a ribbon type blender and mixingredients for only about 20 minutes. This means that low dosesubstances may not be mixed properly. The time that passes aftermixing before encapsulating or tableting is important - lessthan two hours between blending and tableting makes sure thatthe blend's integrity remains intact during the manufacturingprocess. The only dependable way to be sure you are getting thebest vitamin supplements is to buy them from a facility thatmeets pharmaceutical industry production standards.
Are vitamin and mineral supplements really needed? Numerousstudies have concluded that because of soil depletion, theoverall nutrient value of foods has been declining for decades.Also, even the best vitamin supplements cannot substitute for apoor diet. Eating mostly junk food and taking vitamins will notprovide you with the nutrients you will obtain with vegetablesand fruits. Vitamin supplements should be consideredsupplements, not replacements for food. For example, the latestUSDA food pyramid recommends consuming 2.5 cups of vegetables aday for women and 3 cups a day for men - most people do not.
The best vitamin supplements cannot be the one-a-day type. Why?One capsule or tablet simply cannot hold all that's needed innecessary quantities - it would be way too large to swallow.One-a-day vitamins are probably a waste of money. And on theother hand, it is easy to end up with a dozen or moreindividual vitamins to take daily, requiring bottles andbottles which is both a hassle and expensive.
And finally, women need a different vitamin formula than men. Awoman's supplement should contain nutrients that are proven byclinical studies to support the balancing of female hormonesbefore, during and after menopause. The best vitaminsupplements for men should contain ingredients specifically forsupporting healthy male prostate. Including ingredients provenin clinical studies for the prevention of BPH or enlargedprostate is an important part of the best vitamin supplementsfor men.
Yes, there are manufacturers that meet or exceed the abovecriteria. Learn as much as you can about what finding the bestvitamin supplements really means - before spending your money,be informed about the products you will be taking every day.
Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing
About the Author: Read more about best vitamin supplements athttp://www.safemenopausesolutions.com/resources.html OlindaRola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster ofhttp://www.safemenopausesolutions.com a website of naturalhealth articles.
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Supplement Your Diet With Vitamin B12
By: Jenny Riley
Lack of a proper blood level in human beings is the major causeof the condition known as anemia.
Shortage of blood means erythrocytes or red blood cells willnot be produced in the correct quantity.
The anomaly can be rectified with diets. Specifically, dietscontaining large amount of Vitamin B12 (cobalamin).
Studies show that some cases of Vitamin B12 anemic conditioncan lead to permanent brain damage.
The good news however, is vitamin B12 is present in almost allvarieties of foods.
So long as you eat meat regularly, even just once a week, youare getting vitamin B12 in your diet.
Eggs, cheese, and dairy products are other examples of foodsthat contain this essential nutrient.
For vegetarians, fortified cereals and soy products offerplenty of vitamin B12.
But tarry a while, experts say the class of people mostsusceptible to low level of vitamin B12 intake are vegetarians.
The reason?
These people do not eat any kind of animal products. And some,apart from their disdain of animal products, do not eatfortified grains or cereals.
It is highly recommended that vegetarians should take vitaminB12 supplements regularly to compensate for its absence intheir diets.
Don't be among those who live under the illusion that certainvegetables have vitamin B12. The fact is only one plant hasbeen proven to have a form of vitamin B12 that can be utilizedby humans.
That plant is a Chinese herb known as Dang Guy. And it is notavailable in appreciable quantity everywhere.
So most vegetarians don't really have any option than to takesupplements.
The decision to change your diet to that of a vegetarian is notone only you can make. It's a good idea to talk it over withyour physician.
If you've been a vegetarian for sometime and haven't had amedical check up and a blood test, then it's about time you goin for one as soon as possible, even if you are feeling fine.
This is because vitamin B12 deficiency can take years todevelop, and by the time you start to experience the anemiasymptoms, you might already be in danger of permanent braindamage.
People, who due to surgery have had parts of their stomachremoved are also very susceptible to deficiency of vitamin B12.
The parietal cells in your stomach (the same one that producesthe acid which aids digestion) also produces a glycoproteincalled "intrinsic factor". This "factor" must be present in thebody for vitamin B12 to be absorbed.
In the absence of the intrinsic factor, you will require dietsthat contain a large quantity of vitamin B12 to avoid anemia.
People in this situation should also take vitamin B12 richfoods like liver for instance, to get the right amount of thenutrient.
If these suggestions don't appeal to you, then you can takevitamin B12 injections.
About the Author: By Jenny Rileyhttp://www.sweet-weight-loss.com/
Source: http://www.isnare.com/
By: Jenny Riley
Lack of a proper blood level in human beings is the major causeof the condition known as anemia.
Shortage of blood means erythrocytes or red blood cells willnot be produced in the correct quantity.
The anomaly can be rectified with diets. Specifically, dietscontaining large amount of Vitamin B12 (cobalamin).
Studies show that some cases of Vitamin B12 anemic conditioncan lead to permanent brain damage.
The good news however, is vitamin B12 is present in almost allvarieties of foods.
So long as you eat meat regularly, even just once a week, youare getting vitamin B12 in your diet.
Eggs, cheese, and dairy products are other examples of foodsthat contain this essential nutrient.
For vegetarians, fortified cereals and soy products offerplenty of vitamin B12.
But tarry a while, experts say the class of people mostsusceptible to low level of vitamin B12 intake are vegetarians.
The reason?
These people do not eat any kind of animal products. And some,apart from their disdain of animal products, do not eatfortified grains or cereals.
It is highly recommended that vegetarians should take vitaminB12 supplements regularly to compensate for its absence intheir diets.
Don't be among those who live under the illusion that certainvegetables have vitamin B12. The fact is only one plant hasbeen proven to have a form of vitamin B12 that can be utilizedby humans.
That plant is a Chinese herb known as Dang Guy. And it is notavailable in appreciable quantity everywhere.
So most vegetarians don't really have any option than to takesupplements.
The decision to change your diet to that of a vegetarian is notone only you can make. It's a good idea to talk it over withyour physician.
If you've been a vegetarian for sometime and haven't had amedical check up and a blood test, then it's about time you goin for one as soon as possible, even if you are feeling fine.
This is because vitamin B12 deficiency can take years todevelop, and by the time you start to experience the anemiasymptoms, you might already be in danger of permanent braindamage.
People, who due to surgery have had parts of their stomachremoved are also very susceptible to deficiency of vitamin B12.
The parietal cells in your stomach (the same one that producesthe acid which aids digestion) also produces a glycoproteincalled "intrinsic factor". This "factor" must be present in thebody for vitamin B12 to be absorbed.
In the absence of the intrinsic factor, you will require dietsthat contain a large quantity of vitamin B12 to avoid anemia.
People in this situation should also take vitamin B12 richfoods like liver for instance, to get the right amount of thenutrient.
If these suggestions don't appeal to you, then you can takevitamin B12 injections.
About the Author: By Jenny Rileyhttp://www.sweet-weight-loss.com/
Source: http://www.isnare.com/
Vitamin Supplement
Why Folic Acid Is Important
By Din Lubis
Folic acid is one of the vitamins that make up the Vitamin B complex. Also known as folacin and folate, this essential nutrient serves the body in many ways. While important for all age groups, folic acid is especially necessary to pregnant women and important to those entering their elder years.
However, despite all its known benefits, many people fail to meet the recommended daily intake levels, which can have real health consequences.
Role of vitamin folic acid is important from the very first moment of life. In fact, if a couple is even thinking about getting pregnant, the woman should immediately begin to monitor her folic acid consumption, making sure that she meets the suggested daily intake levels.
Most health care professionals recommend that every woman of childbearing age make sufficient folic acid consumption a nutritional priority. That is because this nutrient is vital to the development of the baby from the moment of conception. It can help to prevent serious birth defects in the brain and spine, called neural tube defects.
Spinal Bifida is one of the more well known of these defects. These types of defects usually occur within the first few weeks of development, which means they happen before the average woman even realizes she is pregnant.
Other important functions of folic acid within the body include, in addition to assisting in the formation of genetic material in each and every cell of the body, the formation of red blood cells essential to transporting oxygen and nutrients throughout the body and tissue growth.
Folic acid, according to recent research, has been associated with such health benefits as protection against such debilitating diseases as Alzheimer’s disease, some cancers and heart diseases. It is also thought to offer a certain degree of protection from strokes.
Deficiencies in folic acid can cause a myriad of health problems. Among them are ulcerations in the mouth, inflammation of the tongue, peptic ulcers, and chronic diarrhea. Folic acid deficiency can also contribute to certain kinds of anemia.
Folic acid is a water soluble nutrient, which means it flows out of the body with the urine and the body’s supplies must be replenished daily. Because of its great importance in the reproductive system and the protections it offers, as well as its role in other essential bodily functions, it is a good idea to consider taking dietary supplements to ensure that the recommended daily intake levels are met.
Particularly in the realm of potential birth defects of such a serious and debilitating nature, better safe than sorry should be the philosophy when it comes to folic acid daily intake levels.
When choosing a dietary supplement, it is always important to read and understand the label. That will help you to ensure that you are getting the daily intake levels of the nutrients you seek.
For example, a prenatal vitamin will focus on different nutrients and levels of intake than a general, all-purpose daily multi-vitamin. When planning your vitamin supplement use, make an honest assessment of your eating habits. That way, you can select individual supplements that match your individual dietary needs and health goals, and avoid getting too much of some and too little of others.
So much of good health is planning and maintaining a routine that ensures the daily consumption of proper nutrients. Folic acid supplements can offer a safe and sure means of meeting the body’s daily requirements of this essential and protective nutrient.
By Din Lubis
Folic acid is one of the vitamins that make up the Vitamin B complex. Also known as folacin and folate, this essential nutrient serves the body in many ways. While important for all age groups, folic acid is especially necessary to pregnant women and important to those entering their elder years.
However, despite all its known benefits, many people fail to meet the recommended daily intake levels, which can have real health consequences.
Role of vitamin folic acid is important from the very first moment of life. In fact, if a couple is even thinking about getting pregnant, the woman should immediately begin to monitor her folic acid consumption, making sure that she meets the suggested daily intake levels.
Most health care professionals recommend that every woman of childbearing age make sufficient folic acid consumption a nutritional priority. That is because this nutrient is vital to the development of the baby from the moment of conception. It can help to prevent serious birth defects in the brain and spine, called neural tube defects.
Spinal Bifida is one of the more well known of these defects. These types of defects usually occur within the first few weeks of development, which means they happen before the average woman even realizes she is pregnant.
Other important functions of folic acid within the body include, in addition to assisting in the formation of genetic material in each and every cell of the body, the formation of red blood cells essential to transporting oxygen and nutrients throughout the body and tissue growth.
Folic acid, according to recent research, has been associated with such health benefits as protection against such debilitating diseases as Alzheimer’s disease, some cancers and heart diseases. It is also thought to offer a certain degree of protection from strokes.
Deficiencies in folic acid can cause a myriad of health problems. Among them are ulcerations in the mouth, inflammation of the tongue, peptic ulcers, and chronic diarrhea. Folic acid deficiency can also contribute to certain kinds of anemia.
Folic acid is a water soluble nutrient, which means it flows out of the body with the urine and the body’s supplies must be replenished daily. Because of its great importance in the reproductive system and the protections it offers, as well as its role in other essential bodily functions, it is a good idea to consider taking dietary supplements to ensure that the recommended daily intake levels are met.
Particularly in the realm of potential birth defects of such a serious and debilitating nature, better safe than sorry should be the philosophy when it comes to folic acid daily intake levels.
When choosing a dietary supplement, it is always important to read and understand the label. That will help you to ensure that you are getting the daily intake levels of the nutrients you seek.
For example, a prenatal vitamin will focus on different nutrients and levels of intake than a general, all-purpose daily multi-vitamin. When planning your vitamin supplement use, make an honest assessment of your eating habits. That way, you can select individual supplements that match your individual dietary needs and health goals, and avoid getting too much of some and too little of others.
So much of good health is planning and maintaining a routine that ensures the daily consumption of proper nutrients. Folic acid supplements can offer a safe and sure means of meeting the body’s daily requirements of this essential and protective nutrient.
Friday, August 11, 2006
What Biotin Does For The Body And Mind
By Din Lubis
Biotin is one of the eight vitamins that make up the Vitamin B complex. A comparatively recent addition to the realm of vitamins, after isolating the compound in 1936, it took about 40 years of research before scientists unanimously declared it to be a vitamin. Sometimes referred to as Vitamin H, biotin serves many purposes in the health of the mind and the body.
There are at least four enzymes that require a partnership with biotin to function in the body. Among the purposes of these enzymes is to synthesize fatty acids and to produce glucose.Role of vitamin biotin is also necessary for the production of leucine, which is an essential amino acid.
Recent studies have indicated that biotin has a part in the transcription and replication of DNA. In addition to being necessary for the nervous system to function properly, biotin is associated with the production of neurotransmitters in the brain, including those associated with cognitive function, emotional well being and memory.
The most concentrated sources of biotin come from organ meats, and plant sources tend to contain a much lower concentration of biotin that also tends to be more difficult for the body to use efficiently.
Therefore, those following a vegetarian diet, especial a vegan diet, may want to consider the use of dietary supplements to make sure that their daily requirements for this water-soluble vitamin are being met. Because it washes away in the urine, the body requires a steady, daily supply of this nutrient to maintain peak performance levels.
As with all of the Vitamin B complex vitamins, deficiencies of biotin can have negative consequences for the health of both the body and the mind, some quite serious and some irreversible. Physical symptoms of biotin deficiency include such symptoms as muscle pain, disruptions of the appetite, nausea, diarrhea, dry skin and nails, brittle fingernails, hair loss and fungal infections.
Deficiency in biotin has also been associated with an increase in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, those researchers are still studying the degree of potential connection. Biotin deficiency has been found to negatively affect the body’s natural immune system, and is thought to contribute to fat collecting around the liver and kidneys and malformations of the bones. It can even result in death. Mental symptoms of biotin deficiency include depression, fatigue and negative changes in cognitive function.
Biotin is a nutrient associated with many aspects of physical and mental health. Making sure to meet the recommended daily intake levels is important for all age groups. Pregnant women should pay close attention to the biotin levels in their diet, as biotin is also important for the growth and development of the baby while it is in the uterus.
However, as with any other dietary vitamin supplement or medication taken during pregnancy, a qualified health care professional should be consulted to determine the most suitable dosage.
When used with care and according to standard dosage levels, dietary supplements are a safe and efficient means of maintaining the necessary daily biotin levels. In fact, for vegetarians, a dietary supplement containing biotin is probably a very smart choice.
What Biotin Does For The Body and Mind
By Din Lubis
Biotin is one of the eight vitamins that make up the Vitamin B complex. A comparatively recent addition to the realm of vitamins, after isolating the compound in 1936, it took about 40 years of research before scientists unanimously declared it to be a vitamin. Sometimes referred to as Vitamin H, biotin serves many purposes in the health of the mind and the body.
There are at least four enzymes that require a partnership with biotin to function in the body. Among the purposes of these enzymes is to synthesize fatty acids and to produce glucose. Role of vitamin biotin is also necessary for the production of leucine, which is an essential amino acid.
Recent studies have indicated that biotin has a part in the transcription and replication of DNA. In addition to being necessary for the nervous system to function properly, biotin is associated with the production of neurotransmitters in the brain, including those associated with cognitive function, emotional well being and memory.
The most concentrated sources of biotin come from organ meats, and plant sources tend to contain a much lower concentration of biotin that also tends to be more difficult for the body to use efficiently.
Therefore, those following a vegetarian diet, especial a vegan diet, may want to consider the use of dietary supplements to make sure that their daily requirements for this water-soluble vitamin are being met. Because it washes away in the urine, the body requires a steady, daily supply of this nutrient to maintain peak performance levels.
As with all of the Vitamin B complex vitamins, deficiencies of biotin can have negative consequences for the health of both the body and the mind, some quite serious and some irreversible. Physical symptoms of biotin deficiency include such symptoms as muscle pain, disruptions of the appetite, nausea, diarrhea, dry skin and nails, brittle fingernails, hair loss and fungal infections.
Deficiency in biotin has also been associated with an increase in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, those researchers are still studying the degree of potential connection. Biotin deficiency has been found to negatively affect the body’s natural immune system, and is thought to contribute to fat collecting around the liver and kidneys and malformations of the bones. It can even result in death. Mental symptoms of biotin deficiency include depression, fatigue and negative changes in cognitive function.
Biotin is a nutrient associated with many aspects of physical and mental health. Making sure to meet the recommended daily intake levels is important for all age groups. Pregnant women should pay close attention to the biotin levels in their diet, as biotin is also important for the growth and development of the baby while it is in the uterus.
However, as with any other dietary vitamin supplement or medication taken during pregnancy, a qualified health care professional should be consulted to determine the most suitable dosage.
When used with care and according to standard dosage levels, dietary supplements are a safe and efficient means of maintaining the necessary daily biotin levels. In fact, for vegetarians, a dietary supplement containing biotin is probably a very smart choice.
By Din Lubis
Biotin is one of the eight vitamins that make up the Vitamin B complex. A comparatively recent addition to the realm of vitamins, after isolating the compound in 1936, it took about 40 years of research before scientists unanimously declared it to be a vitamin. Sometimes referred to as Vitamin H, biotin serves many purposes in the health of the mind and the body.
There are at least four enzymes that require a partnership with biotin to function in the body. Among the purposes of these enzymes is to synthesize fatty acids and to produce glucose.Role of vitamin biotin is also necessary for the production of leucine, which is an essential amino acid.
Recent studies have indicated that biotin has a part in the transcription and replication of DNA. In addition to being necessary for the nervous system to function properly, biotin is associated with the production of neurotransmitters in the brain, including those associated with cognitive function, emotional well being and memory.
The most concentrated sources of biotin come from organ meats, and plant sources tend to contain a much lower concentration of biotin that also tends to be more difficult for the body to use efficiently.
Therefore, those following a vegetarian diet, especial a vegan diet, may want to consider the use of dietary supplements to make sure that their daily requirements for this water-soluble vitamin are being met. Because it washes away in the urine, the body requires a steady, daily supply of this nutrient to maintain peak performance levels.
As with all of the Vitamin B complex vitamins, deficiencies of biotin can have negative consequences for the health of both the body and the mind, some quite serious and some irreversible. Physical symptoms of biotin deficiency include such symptoms as muscle pain, disruptions of the appetite, nausea, diarrhea, dry skin and nails, brittle fingernails, hair loss and fungal infections.
Deficiency in biotin has also been associated with an increase in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, those researchers are still studying the degree of potential connection. Biotin deficiency has been found to negatively affect the body’s natural immune system, and is thought to contribute to fat collecting around the liver and kidneys and malformations of the bones. It can even result in death. Mental symptoms of biotin deficiency include depression, fatigue and negative changes in cognitive function.
Biotin is a nutrient associated with many aspects of physical and mental health. Making sure to meet the recommended daily intake levels is important for all age groups. Pregnant women should pay close attention to the biotin levels in their diet, as biotin is also important for the growth and development of the baby while it is in the uterus.
However, as with any other dietary vitamin supplement or medication taken during pregnancy, a qualified health care professional should be consulted to determine the most suitable dosage.
When used with care and according to standard dosage levels, dietary supplements are a safe and efficient means of maintaining the necessary daily biotin levels. In fact, for vegetarians, a dietary supplement containing biotin is probably a very smart choice.
What Biotin Does For The Body and Mind
By Din Lubis
Biotin is one of the eight vitamins that make up the Vitamin B complex. A comparatively recent addition to the realm of vitamins, after isolating the compound in 1936, it took about 40 years of research before scientists unanimously declared it to be a vitamin. Sometimes referred to as Vitamin H, biotin serves many purposes in the health of the mind and the body.
There are at least four enzymes that require a partnership with biotin to function in the body. Among the purposes of these enzymes is to synthesize fatty acids and to produce glucose. Role of vitamin biotin is also necessary for the production of leucine, which is an essential amino acid.
Recent studies have indicated that biotin has a part in the transcription and replication of DNA. In addition to being necessary for the nervous system to function properly, biotin is associated with the production of neurotransmitters in the brain, including those associated with cognitive function, emotional well being and memory.
The most concentrated sources of biotin come from organ meats, and plant sources tend to contain a much lower concentration of biotin that also tends to be more difficult for the body to use efficiently.
Therefore, those following a vegetarian diet, especial a vegan diet, may want to consider the use of dietary supplements to make sure that their daily requirements for this water-soluble vitamin are being met. Because it washes away in the urine, the body requires a steady, daily supply of this nutrient to maintain peak performance levels.
As with all of the Vitamin B complex vitamins, deficiencies of biotin can have negative consequences for the health of both the body and the mind, some quite serious and some irreversible. Physical symptoms of biotin deficiency include such symptoms as muscle pain, disruptions of the appetite, nausea, diarrhea, dry skin and nails, brittle fingernails, hair loss and fungal infections.
Deficiency in biotin has also been associated with an increase in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, those researchers are still studying the degree of potential connection. Biotin deficiency has been found to negatively affect the body’s natural immune system, and is thought to contribute to fat collecting around the liver and kidneys and malformations of the bones. It can even result in death. Mental symptoms of biotin deficiency include depression, fatigue and negative changes in cognitive function.
Biotin is a nutrient associated with many aspects of physical and mental health. Making sure to meet the recommended daily intake levels is important for all age groups. Pregnant women should pay close attention to the biotin levels in their diet, as biotin is also important for the growth and development of the baby while it is in the uterus.
However, as with any other dietary vitamin supplement or medication taken during pregnancy, a qualified health care professional should be consulted to determine the most suitable dosage.
When used with care and according to standard dosage levels, dietary supplements are a safe and efficient means of maintaining the necessary daily biotin levels. In fact, for vegetarians, a dietary supplement containing biotin is probably a very smart choice.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Vitamin B5 Serves Many Important Functions To Keep Body And Mind
By Din Lubis
Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, serves the body in many ways. It is a member of the nutritionally elite group of eight vitamins known collectively as the Vitamin B complex. This powerful group of vitamins has a role nearly every major body system and process. The Vitamin B complex serves to keep both body and mind functioning and in good health.
Role of Vitamin B5, like all of the vitamins that form the B complex, is essential to the body’s ability to use the food it takes in as fuel for its myriad of processes, great and small. It works in the regular maintenance and repair of all bodily tissues, from the cellular level up. This makes it an essential part of the body’s efforts to fight the physical damage that excessive stress contributes to.
Vitamin B5 serves many important functions in the nervous system, especially in terms of nerve function and health. Among the contributions that Vitamin B5 makes to the nervous system is the production of neurotransmitters, which are important to the ability of the nerves to communicate.
Because of its important role in the growth and health of the hair and necessity to healthy skin, it is used frequently in a variety of cosmetic products. Vitamin B5, acting as a cofactor to other members of the Vitamin B complex and other nutrients, has an important role in the functioning of the adrenal glands and also serves to promote normal growth of the body, due to its role in hormone production throughout the body.
Deficiency in Vitamin B5 can have a variety of negative consequences for the body and the mind. Physical symptoms include fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakened immune system, abdominal pain, neurological disorders, muscle weakness and cramps, increased insulin sensitivity, acne, digestive problems, and slow or retarded growth.
Mental symptoms of Vitamin B5 deficiency include depression, personality disorders and change, sleep disturbances, and insomnia, which generally makes most other deficiency symptoms feel much worse. In general, adults should have about 5mg of Vitamin B5 per day, with women increasing their daily intake to 6mg to 7mg while pregnant or breastfeeding. Children, depending on size and weight, should have about 2mg to 4mg of Vitamin B5 each day.
The importance of the Vitamin B complex to physical health and mental functioning cannot be overstated. For optimum performance of the body and the mind, including cognitive functions and emotional responses and stability, the standard recommended daily intake levels of these vitamins should be achieved every day. Because these are water-soluble vitamins, they are washed away daily with the urine and thus, the body’s supply of these essential nutrients must be renewed daily.
Vitamin supplements are a reliable and safe way to meet these important nutritional goals, provided that attention is given to the accepted limits of dosage. Too much of any nutrient can be toxic, and often can cause as much damage as having too little. The body is a delicately balanced system, and requires that balance to be maintained to function at its best.
By Din Lubis
Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, serves the body in many ways. It is a member of the nutritionally elite group of eight vitamins known collectively as the Vitamin B complex. This powerful group of vitamins has a role nearly every major body system and process. The Vitamin B complex serves to keep both body and mind functioning and in good health.
Role of Vitamin B5, like all of the vitamins that form the B complex, is essential to the body’s ability to use the food it takes in as fuel for its myriad of processes, great and small. It works in the regular maintenance and repair of all bodily tissues, from the cellular level up. This makes it an essential part of the body’s efforts to fight the physical damage that excessive stress contributes to.
Vitamin B5 serves many important functions in the nervous system, especially in terms of nerve function and health. Among the contributions that Vitamin B5 makes to the nervous system is the production of neurotransmitters, which are important to the ability of the nerves to communicate.
Because of its important role in the growth and health of the hair and necessity to healthy skin, it is used frequently in a variety of cosmetic products. Vitamin B5, acting as a cofactor to other members of the Vitamin B complex and other nutrients, has an important role in the functioning of the adrenal glands and also serves to promote normal growth of the body, due to its role in hormone production throughout the body.
Deficiency in Vitamin B5 can have a variety of negative consequences for the body and the mind. Physical symptoms include fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakened immune system, abdominal pain, neurological disorders, muscle weakness and cramps, increased insulin sensitivity, acne, digestive problems, and slow or retarded growth.
Mental symptoms of Vitamin B5 deficiency include depression, personality disorders and change, sleep disturbances, and insomnia, which generally makes most other deficiency symptoms feel much worse. In general, adults should have about 5mg of Vitamin B5 per day, with women increasing their daily intake to 6mg to 7mg while pregnant or breastfeeding. Children, depending on size and weight, should have about 2mg to 4mg of Vitamin B5 each day.
The importance of the Vitamin B complex to physical health and mental functioning cannot be overstated. For optimum performance of the body and the mind, including cognitive functions and emotional responses and stability, the standard recommended daily intake levels of these vitamins should be achieved every day. Because these are water-soluble vitamins, they are washed away daily with the urine and thus, the body’s supply of these essential nutrients must be renewed daily.
Vitamin supplements are a reliable and safe way to meet these important nutritional goals, provided that attention is given to the accepted limits of dosage. Too much of any nutrient can be toxic, and often can cause as much damage as having too little. The body is a delicately balanced system, and requires that balance to be maintained to function at its best.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Vitamin B3 Plays An Important Role In Mental Health
By Din Lubis
Vitamin B3 is one of the vitamins that make up the nutritional powerhouse known as the Vitamin B complex. Vitamin B3 is also called niacin, nicotinic acid and niacinamide, and serves many vital purposes in the functioning of the body and the mind.
Vitamin B3 works with the other B vitamins to change food to energy. It also serves to regulate the appetite, as well as the digestive system. Its primary tasks within the digestive system relate to controlling the levels at which bile and other stomach fluids are secreted.
Among the other important role of Vitamin B3 makes to the health of the body is the essential role it plays in the respiration of the cells, its role in keeping the nervous system healthy, and its relationship to the production of the hormones associated with reproduction. Vitamin B3 is also important to the health of the body’s biggest organ – the skin.
Vitamin B3 plays an important role in mental health, and recent research has made some intriguing connections between the use of Vitamin B3 supplements and the production of serotonin.
By using the supplements, L-Tryptophan then doesn’t have to be spent by the body in the making of niacin, thus freeing the L-Tryptophan to be taken to the nervous system, where it is processed into 5-http, which leads to the production of serotonin, important for mood and feelings of well-being. Serotonin imbalance has been shown to be associated with anxiety and depression.
Vitamin B3 is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that it is washed out of the body via the urine and the body must renew its supply of this vital nutrient daily. Deficiencies of vitamin B3 can have serious health consequences for both the body and the mind.
Physical symptoms of a niacin deficiency can include muscular weakness and a lack of muscular control, particularly in the larger muscles masses, such as those found in the legs. Other physical symptoms are open sores on the skin and in the mouth, a swollen tongue and chronic bad breathe, loss of appetite, chronic diarrhea, joint pain, low blood sugar and headaches.
It can also cause the disease pellagra, which presents with such symptoms as severe dermatitis, diarrhea and dementia. Mental symptoms of a serious can include depression, fatigue, and insomnia. The insomnia makes all of the other symptoms, physical and mental, that much harder to bear.
Dietary vitamin supplements are a safe and effective way to be sure that you meet the recommended daily requirements of B3 in your diet. However, it is important to use dietary supplements according to the standard dose levels, as taking too much can cause other health problems, some serious in nature. There are cases in which higher than standard does may be recommended, such as to combat symptoms that have been brought about by deficiencies.
However, taking does higher than the standard levels should only be done when under the care of a qualified healthcare professional. Dietary supplements, like all medications, should always be kept out of the reach of children.
By Din Lubis
Vitamin B3 is one of the vitamins that make up the nutritional powerhouse known as the Vitamin B complex. Vitamin B3 is also called niacin, nicotinic acid and niacinamide, and serves many vital purposes in the functioning of the body and the mind.
Vitamin B3 works with the other B vitamins to change food to energy. It also serves to regulate the appetite, as well as the digestive system. Its primary tasks within the digestive system relate to controlling the levels at which bile and other stomach fluids are secreted.
Among the other important role of Vitamin B3 makes to the health of the body is the essential role it plays in the respiration of the cells, its role in keeping the nervous system healthy, and its relationship to the production of the hormones associated with reproduction. Vitamin B3 is also important to the health of the body’s biggest organ – the skin.
Vitamin B3 plays an important role in mental health, and recent research has made some intriguing connections between the use of Vitamin B3 supplements and the production of serotonin.
By using the supplements, L-Tryptophan then doesn’t have to be spent by the body in the making of niacin, thus freeing the L-Tryptophan to be taken to the nervous system, where it is processed into 5-http, which leads to the production of serotonin, important for mood and feelings of well-being. Serotonin imbalance has been shown to be associated with anxiety and depression.
Vitamin B3 is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that it is washed out of the body via the urine and the body must renew its supply of this vital nutrient daily. Deficiencies of vitamin B3 can have serious health consequences for both the body and the mind.
Physical symptoms of a niacin deficiency can include muscular weakness and a lack of muscular control, particularly in the larger muscles masses, such as those found in the legs. Other physical symptoms are open sores on the skin and in the mouth, a swollen tongue and chronic bad breathe, loss of appetite, chronic diarrhea, joint pain, low blood sugar and headaches.
It can also cause the disease pellagra, which presents with such symptoms as severe dermatitis, diarrhea and dementia. Mental symptoms of a serious can include depression, fatigue, and insomnia. The insomnia makes all of the other symptoms, physical and mental, that much harder to bear.
Dietary vitamin supplements are a safe and effective way to be sure that you meet the recommended daily requirements of B3 in your diet. However, it is important to use dietary supplements according to the standard dose levels, as taking too much can cause other health problems, some serious in nature. There are cases in which higher than standard does may be recommended, such as to combat symptoms that have been brought about by deficiencies.
However, taking does higher than the standard levels should only be done when under the care of a qualified healthcare professional. Dietary supplements, like all medications, should always be kept out of the reach of children.
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