Introduction
All
natural vitamins are organic food
substances found only in living
things, that is, plants and animals.
In some circumstances, the body can
manufacture or synthesize vitamins
provided that all the essential elements are present.
They normally found in the diet or in
dietary supplements. Vitamins are
essential to the normal functioning
of our bodies. They are necessary for
our growth, vitality, and general
well-being.
HOW
THEY WORK: A lot of people think
vitamins can replace food. They
cannot. In fact, vitamins are a part
of, and cannot be absorbed without
ingesting food. if you take vitamin
supplements, take them with other
food. Vitamins help regulate
metabolism, help convert fat and
carbohydrates into energy, and assist
in forming bone and tissue.
In time we will be adding looking at our vitamins, how the affect us and how we
obtain them.
VITAMIN
A (Beta Carotene)
IMPORTANCE:
Necessary for growth & repair of
body tissues; Retinol a form of vitamin A helps maintain smooth,
soft disease-free skin; helps protect
the mucous membranes of the mouth,
nose , throat & lungs, thereby
reducing susceptibility to
infections; protects against air
pollutants; counteracts
night-blindness & weak eyesight;
aids in bone and teeth formation.
Current medical research shows that
foods rich in Beta Carotene will help
reduce the risk of lung cancer &
certain oral cancers. Unlike Vitamin
A from fish liver oil, Beta Carotene
is non-toxic.
DEFICIENCY
SYMPTOMS: May result in night
blindness; increased susceptibility
to infections; rough, dry, scaly
skin; loss of smell & appetite;
frequents fatigue; lack of tearing;
defective teeth & gums' retarded
growth.
VITAMIN
B-1 (Thiamin)
IMPORTANCE:
Plays a key role in the body's
metabolic cycle for generating
energy; aids in the digestion of
carbohydrates; essential for the
normal functioning of the nervous
system, muscles & heart;
stabilizes the appetite; promotes
growth & good muscle tone.
DEFICIENCY
SYMPTOMS: May lead to the loss of
appetite ; weakness & feeling
tired; paralysis & nervous
irritability; insomnia; loss of
weight; vague aches & pains;
mental depression & constipation;
heart & gastrointestinal
problems.
VITAMIN
B-2 (Riboflavin)
IMPORTANCE:
Necessary for carbohydrate, fat &
protein metabolism; aids in the
formation of antibodies and red blood
cells; maintains cell respiration;
necessary for the maintenance of good
vision, skin, nails & hair;
alleviates eye fatigue; promotes
general health.
DEFICIENCY
SYMPTOMS: May result in itching and
burning eyes; cracks and sores in the
mouth & lips; bloodshot eyes;
purplish tongue; dermatitis; retarded
growth; digestive disturbances;
trembling; sluggishness; oily skin.
VITAMIN
B-6 (Pyridoxine)
IMPORTANCE:
Necessary for the synthesis &
breakdown of amino acids, the
building blocks of protein; aids in
fat and carbohydrate metabolism; aids
in the formation of antibodies;
maintains the central nervous system;
aids in the removal of excess fluid
of premenstrual women; promotes
healthy skin; reduces muscle spasms,
leg cramps, hand numbness, nausea
& stiffness of hands; helps
maintain a proper balance of sodium
& phosphorous in the body.
DEFICIENCY
SYMPTOMS: May result in nervousness,
insomnia, skin eruptions, loss of
muscular control, anemia, mouth
disorders, muscular weakness,
dermatitis, arm & leg cramps,
loss of hair, slow learning, and
water retention.
VITAMIN
B-12 (Cobalamin)
IMPORTANCE:
Helps in the formation &
regeneration of red blood cells, thus
helping prevent anemia; necessary for
carbohydrate, fat & protein
metabolism; maintains a healthy
nervous system; promotes growth in
children; increases energy; needed
for Calcium absorption.
DEFICIENCY
SYMPTOMS: May lead to pernicious
anemia, poor appetite, growth failure
in children, tiredness, brain damage,
nervousness, neuritis, degeneration
of spinal cord, depression, lack of
balance.
NIACINAMIDE
(Niacin- vitamin B-3)
IMPORTANCE:
Improves circulation and reduces the
cholesterol level in the blood;
maintains the nervous system; helps
metabolize protein, sugar & fat;
reduces high blood pressure;
increases energy through proper
utilization of food; prevents
pellagra; helps maintain a healthy
skin, tongue & digestive system.
DEFICIENCY
SYMPTOMS: May result in pellagra,
gastrointestinal disturbance,
nervousness, headaches, fatigue,
mental depression, vague aches &
pains, irritability, loss of
appetite, insomnia, skin disorders,
muscular weakness, indigestion, bad
breath, canker sores.
BIOTIN
IMPORTANCE:
Aids in the utilization of protein,
folic acid, Pantothenic acid, and
Vitamin B-12, promotes healthy hair.
DEFICIENCY
SYMPTOMS: May lead to extreme
exhaustion, drowsiness, muscle pain,
loss of appetite, depression, grayish
skin color. brCHOLINE
IMPORTANCE:
Very important in controlling fat
& cholesterol buildup in the
body; prevents fat from accumulating
in the liver; facilitates the
movement of fats in the cells; helps
regulate the kidneys, liver &
gallbladder; important for nerve
transmission; helps improve memory.
DEFICIENCY
SYMPTOMS: May result in cirrhosis and
fatty degeneration of the liver,
hardening of the arteries, heart
problems, high blood pressure,
hemorrhaging kidneys.
VITAMIN
C (Ascorbic Acid)
IMPORTANCE:
Essential for healthy teeth, gums
& Bones; helps heal wounds, scar
tissue, & Fractures; prevents
scurvy; builds resistance to
infection; aids in the prevention
& treatment of the common cold;
gives strength to blood vessels; aids
in the absorption of iron. It is
required for the synthesis of
collagen, the intercellular
"cement" which holds
tissues together. It is also one of
the major antioxidant nutrients. It
prevents the conversion of nitrates
(from tobacco smoke, smog, bacon,
lunch meats, & some vegetables)
into cancer-causing substances.
According to Dr. Lines Pauling, the
foremost authority on Vitamin C,
Vitamin C will decrease the risk of
getting certain cancers by 75%.
DEFICIENCY
SYMPTOMS: May lead to soft &
bleeding gums, swollen or painful
joints, slow-healing wounds &
fractures, bruising, nosebleeds,
tooth decay, loss of appetite,
muscular weakness, skin hemorrhages,
capillary weakness, anemia, impaired
digestion.
VITAMIN D
IMPORTANCE:
Improves absorption and utilization
of Calcium and Phosphorous; required
for bone and teeth formation;
maintains a stable nervous system and
normal heart action.
DEFICIENCY
SYMPTOMS: May lead to rickets, tooth
decay, softening of bones, improper
healing of fractures, lack of vigor,
muscular weakness, inadequate
absorption of calcium, retention of
phosphorous in the kidneys.
FOLIC
ACID
IMPORTANCE:
Necessary for DNA & RNA
synthesis, which is essential for the
growth and reproduction of all body
cells; essential to the formation of
red blood cells by its action on the
bone marrow; aids in amino acid
metabolism.
DEFICIENCY
SYMPTOMS: May result in
gastrointestinal disorders, anemia,
Vitamin B-12 deficiency, pre-mature
gray hair.
INOSITOL
IMPORTANCE: Necessary for the
formation of lecithin; aids in the
breakdown of fats; helps reduce blood
cholesterol; helps prevent thinning
hair.
DEFICIENCY
SYMPTOMS: May result in high blood
cholesterol, constipation, eczema,
hair loss.
PABA
(Para Amino Benzoic Acid)
IMPORTANCE:
Aids healthy bacteria in producing
folic acid; aids in the formation of
red blood cells; contains sun
screening properties; aids in the
assimilation of Pantothenic acid;
returns hair to its natural color.
DEFICIENCY
SYMPTOMS: May cause extreme fatigue,
eczema, irritability, depressions,
nervousness, constipation, headaches,
digestive disorders, hair turning
prematurely gray.
PANTOTHENIC
ACID
IMPORTANCE:
Participates in the release of energy
from carbohydrates, fats &
protein, aids in the utilization of
vitamins; improves the body's
resistance to stress; helps in cell
building & the development of the
central nervous system; helps the
adrenal glands, fights infections by
building antibodies.
DEFICIENCY
SYMPTOMS: May lead to painful &
burning feet, skin abnormalities,
retarded growth, dizzy spells,
digestive disturbances, vomiting,
restlessness, stomach stress, muscle
cramps.
