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Overview
Of Vitamin Quick Reference Guide
This Guide contains an information on VITAMIN A (Beta Carotene), VITAMIN B-1 (Thiamin), VITAMIN B-2
(Riboflavin) ,VITAMIN B-6 (Pyridoxine), VITAMIN B-12 (Cobalamin), NIACINAMIDE
B-3 (Niacin), PANTOTHENIC ACID, BIOTIN, FOLIC ACID, INOSITOL, CHOLINE,
PABA (Para Amino Benzoic Acid), VITAMIN C (Ascorbic Acid), VITAMIN D, and
VITAMIN E.
VITAMINS:
All natural vitamins are organic food substances found only
in living things, that is, plants and animals. With few exceptions the body
cannot manufacture or synthesize vitamins. They must be supplied in the diet or
in dietary supplements. Vitamins are essential to the normal functioning of our
bodies. They are necessary for growth, vitality, and general well-being.
The term vitamin is derived from the words vital and amine, because vitamins are required for life and were originally thought to be amines. Although not all vitamins are amines, they are organic compounds required by humans in small amounts from the diet. An organic compound is considered a vitamin if a lack of that compound in the diet results in overt symptoms of deficiency.
In the past, most scientific research on the optimum intake of specific vitamins examined only the prevention of deficiency symptoms. Presently scientists are examining the potential for specific vitamins to prevent and treat disease, as well as to enhance physical and mental health and performance.
HOW THEY WORK: Vitamins cannot replace food. Assimilation of vitamins into the body is greatly enhanced if ingested with food. That is why it is recommended that vitamins be taken with meals. Vitamins play many roles, among them, helping to regulate metabolism, helping to convert fat and carbohydrates into energy, and assisting in the formation of bone and tissue.
VITAMIN
A (Beta Carotene)
ROLE: Necessary for growth & repair of body tissues; 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.
SYMPTONS OF DEFICIENCY: 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)
ROLE: 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.
SYMPTONS OF DEFICIENCY: 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)
ROLE: 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.
SYMPTONS OF DEFICIENCY: 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)
ROLE: 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.
SYMPTONS OF DEFICIENCY: 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)
ROLE: 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.
SYMPTONS OF DEFICIENCY: May lead to pernicious anemia, poor appetite, growth
failure in children, tiredness, brain damage, nervousness, neuritis, and
degeneration of spinal cord, depression, lack of balance.
NIACINAMIDE
B-3 (Niacin)
ROLE: 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.
SYMPTONS OF DEFICIENCY: 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.
PANTOTHENIC
ACID
ROLE: 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.
SYMPTONS OF DEFICIENCY: May lead to painful & burning feet, skin
abnormalities, retarded growth, dizzy spells, digestive disturbances, vomiting,
restlessness, stomach stress, muscle cramps.
BIOTIN
ROLE: Aids in the utilization of protein, folic acid, Pantothenic acid, and
Vitamin B-12, promotes healthy hair.
SYMPTONS OF DEFICIENCY: May lead to extreme exhaustion, drowsiness, muscle pain,
loss of appetite, depression, and grayish skin color.
FOLIC
ACID
ROLE: 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.
SYMPTONS OF DEFICIENCY: May result in gastrointestinal disorders, anemia,
Vitamin B-12 deficiency, pre-mature gray hair.
INOSITOL
ROLE: Necessary for the formation of lecithin; aids in the breakdown of
fats; helps reduce blood cholesterol; helps prevent thinning hair. Often found
in foods together with Choline.
SYMPTONS OF DEFICIENCY: May result in high blood cholesterol, constipation,
eczema, and hair loss.
CHOLINE
ROLE: 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. Often found in foods
together with Inositol.
SYMPTONS OF DEFICIENCY: May result in cirrhosis and fatty degeneration of the
liver, hardening of the arteries, heart problems, high blood pressure,
hemorrhaging kidneys.
PABA
(Para Amino Benzoic Acid)
ROLE: 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.
SYMPTONS OF DEFICIENCY: May cause extreme fatigue, eczema, irritability,
depressions, nervousness, constipation, headaches, digestive disorders, and hair
turning prematurely gray.
VITAMIN
C (Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Ascorbate, Sodium Ascorbate)
ROLE: 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 two time Nobel Prize winner Dr.
Linus Pauling, the foremost
authority on Vitamin C, Vitamin C will decrease the risk of getting certain
cancers by 75%.
SYMPTONS OF DEFICIENCY: 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
ROLE: Improves absorption and utilization of Calcium and Phosphorous;
required for bone and teeth formation; maintains a stable nervous system and
normal heart action.
SYMPTONS OF DEFICIENCY: 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.
VITAMIN
E
ROLE: Major anti-oxidant nutrient; retards cellular aging due to oxidation;
supplies oxygen to the blood which is then carried to the heart and other
organs; thus alleviating fatigue; aids in bringing nourishment to cells;
strengthens the capillary walls & prevents the red blood cells from
destructive poisons; prevents & dissolves blood clots; has also been used by
doctors in helping prevent sterility, muscular dystrophy, calcium deposits in
blood walls and heart conditions.
What is the difference between d-alpha and dl-alpha? Both work exactly the same
in the body. There is some evidence that d-alpha is about 20% more powerful, but
it costs about 400% more. In other words 800 I.U. of d-alpha would work as well
as 1000 I.U. of dl-alpha. However, the 800 I.U. d-alpha would cost 4 times as
much as 1000 I.U. of dl-alpha. The best buy by far is dl-alpha.
SYMPTONS OF DEFICIENCY: May lead to a rupture of red blood cells, loss of
reproductive powers, lack of sexual vitality, abnormal fat deposits in muscles,
degenerative changes in the changes in the heart and other muscles; dry skin.
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