Friday, November 14, 2008

A Look At Some Of The Top Vitamins

top vitamins

Vitamins (combination of two words: Vital Amines) are the complex organic substance essential in small quantities to the metabolism (nutrition) in most animals. These are found in minute quantities in food, in some cases are produced by the body, and are also produced synthetically. The human body needs them to work properly, so that we can grow and develop just like we should. Their deficiency results in many serious disorders.

Vitamins are divided into two major groups: the ‘fat-soluble vitamins’ designated as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K, and the ‘water-soluble vitamins’ which include vitamin C and the group of molecules referred to as the vitamin B complex. Each of them has its own special role in the development of human body.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin, plays a really big part in eyesight and helps us to see in dim light and also at night. Vitamin A is also involved in the formation and maintenance of healthy skin, hair, and mucous membranes. In addition, it is necessary for proper bone growth, tooth development, reproduction and for the development of epithelial cells (that line any opening to the body e.g.; nose, throat, lungs, mouth, stomach, intestines and urinary tract).

Vitamin A can be found in eggs, milk, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, fish oil, liver (pork, lamb, chicken, turkey or beef), butter, broccoli, apricots, nectarines, cantaloupe, and orange or yellow vegetables or fruits.

The deficiency of vitamin A can cause two major disorders like: night blindness and drying of skin.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B itself is a complex of different vitamins like: B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, biotin and pantothenic acid. These B vitamins are very important in metabolic activity and in facilitating the red blood cell (which carry oxygen throughout your body). They also help your body make protein and energy.

The sources of vitamin B are leafy green vegetables seafood, beans, peas, citrus fruits, whole grains (such as wheat and oats), poultry, meats, eggs and dairy products (like milk and yogurt). Some bacteria in our large intestine also prepare some type of B-vitamins.

The deficiency of vitamin B can cause the disease “Beri Beri”, cracked lips, weak muscles, malformation of red blood cells, affects normal growth and disturbs the nervous system.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a water-soluble, antioxidant vitamin that is vital to the production of collagen, a protein that gives structure to bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels. It is important for keeping body tissues, such as gums and muscles in good shape and it helps in quick healing of wounds. In addition, it helps protecting the fat-soluble vitamins A and E as well as fatty acids from oxidation.

The vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits (like lemon & orange), cantaloupe, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage and in other fresh fruits and vegetables.

The deficiency of vitamin C affects the healthy skin; poor wound healing and can lead to a disease called “Scurvy” which causes bleeding in gums, easy bruising, bumps of coiled hair on the arms and legs, pain in the joints, muscle wasting, and many other problems.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that regulates the formation of bone and the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestine. It helps to control the movement of calcium between bone and blood, and vice versa. It is this vitamin you need for strong bones and teeth. In addition it helps your body absorb the amount of calcium it needs.

Vitamin D can be found in fish liver oil, egg yolks, milk and other dairy products fortified with vitamin D. It is also produced in our body in the presence of ultra violet light and sunlight.

The deficiency of vitamin D can cause weak bones and bowed legs (in children). And its excess can cause loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, headache, depression and deposits of calcium in the kidneys.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin, is essential for the inhibition of oxidation in body tissues, formation of red blood cells, and also prevents breakdown of body tissues. It maintains the body tissues and protects the lungs from becoming damaged by polluted air.

This vitamin can be found in whole grains (such as wheat and oat), wheat germ, leafy green vegetables, sardines, egg yolks, nuts, bread, cereals and seeds.

The deficiency of this vitamin can cause many diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease.

by: Greg Hall

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

The Dangers of Synthetic Vitamins

It's one thing to say synthetic vitamins are inadequate. It's quite another to claim they may be dangerous. After all, certainly a dangerous vitamin supplement couldn't legally be sold in a store or over the internet, could it? According to a May 2004 Consumer Report investigation, "many dangerous supplements can easily be purchased in stores and online."

But isn't the FDA there to protect us?

According to Bruce Silverglade, legal director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a consumer-advocacy group based in Washington, D.C.:

"The standards for demonstrating a supplement is hazardous are so high that it can take the FDA years to build a case. " Nevertheless, many dangerous side effects of synthetic vitamins have been well-documented. Allow me to cite just a few.

Two Independent Studies Conclude: Taking Synthetic Vitamins is Worse Than Starvation

Two independent studies on synthetic vitamins both reached the conclusion that taking synthetic vitamins is worse than starvation. One was a recent Finnish study published in the New England Journal of Medicine; the other was the result of experiments performed at the University of California in Berkley.

Why Silver Foxes Don't Take Synthetic Vitamins

As early as 1940, a Scandinavian Veterinarian Journal detailed a vitamin experiment performed on Silver Foxes. The first group was fed synthetic Vitamin B while the second group was given all-natural sources of B complex. Three things happened to the first group:

1) They did not grow.
2) The quality of their fur deteriorated. And
3) they died prematurely.
(The Scandinavian Veterinarian Journal, 1940, Volume 30.)

Meanwhile, everything was normal with the second group.
Synthetic Vitamin D Causes Complications In Pregnancy

Another report involved synthetic Vitamin D and human pregnancy. Vitamin D was given to 500 pregnant women. Some were given synthetic Vitamin D, others were given natural Vitamin D. All the women given synthetic Vitamin D developed diseased kidneys. None of the women given natural Vitamin D had any problems with their kidneys.( Dr. Weston A. Prince, Nutrition and Physical Degeneration.)

Synthetic Vitamin B Causes Sterility in Pigs

Another report involved pigs and Vitamin B. This study was done clear back in 1939. The first group of pigs was fed synthetic Vitamin B. The second group was fed natural Vitamin B. All of the offspring from the pigs fed synthetic Vitamin B were sterile. None of the offspring from the parents fed natural Vitamin B were sterile. (Study by Dr. Barnett Sure, Jol. Nurt., Aug., 1939)

So unless you're a nutritional masochist, getting your nutrients from whole food sources is your best option because whole foods provide complete vitamins and minerals rather than fractions of them.

For more information, visit:
http://www.TomsVitamins.com
About the Author
Tom Gruber writes on a variety of subjects and is an Independent Distributor of All-Natural Whole-Food Vitamins. Visit Tom's site at:

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

The Benefits of Coral Calcium as a dietary Supplement

It was such a dynamic breakthrough when researchers found out that coral calcium can be used as a dietary supplement. Most of the time, when we take calcium supplements or multivitamins the body cannot absorb the proper amounts of nutrients going to the bloodstream. As a result, people still need to spend a lot amount of money just to be able to supply the needs of the body to prevent from getting sick and contracting diseases.

The coral calcium is designated to increase the immune system to be able to fight the bacteria that can be the cause of having diseases or sickness.

Do you know what a coral is? The Coral is the oldest organism that is living in the earth. Coral reefs and corals sands are all related to coral. Coral calcium is definitely sourced from the shed of these reefs. There are a number of divers that go and get some reefs in order to make dietary supplements.

The corals have different kinds and varieties. However the most complete coral that contains the exact composition of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium is the Sango which can be located in the skeleton of a human. Coral calcium’s main uses are to supplement the diet of a person with an absorbable form of calcium that will protect the body from illness and diseases as well as strengthen the body. It also increases a person’s energy level.

A lot of individuals are just walking around having low levels of calcium and they are not even aware of it. Until the time has come that there are symptoms and deficiency that are already seen. Some of these deficiencies and symptoms are white spots in the nails, fatigue, cramps, high blood pressure, acne, arthritis, abundant cavities, and a lot more.

There are already different ways on how to intake enough supplement of coral calcium in the body. They can be in the form of capsules, pills, powder or liquid that can give the body absorbable calcium which will help to fight away health problems.

The benefits of the coral calcium is that it strengthen the immune system, allows the body to fight back all forms of infections, viruses, parasites, and soon it will fight back cancer as researches continues. On the other hand, the benefit that you can get in coral calcium is that you free yourself from getting sick and infected by diseases and that is the very first in the list.

There are still other uses of coral calcium. this is to reverse the signs and symptoms of osteoporosis. Always put in mind that refined sugars and foods have high oxalic acids and as a result it lessens the amount of calcium inside the body. People who undergo training must have a higher amount of coral calcium supplement in their body. Most especially those people who has vices like drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking.

Coral calcium has a perfect ratio of magnesium and calcium. This is very effective for the maximum amount of absorption into the bloodstream. Coral calcium is very in demand in the market today because of the benefits it offers to the people most especially to those who are conscious about their health. Popping a pill or capsule is not much compared to the benefits it will provide your body.