Entries RSSVitamin Guide part 1
Vitamins work together with enzymes and release energy from digested food and regulate the billions of chemical activities that occur in the body every minute of every day. A balanced diet that includes a wide variety of the main food groups generally provides all the vitamins that your body needs.
But unfortunately today’s food with its contaminations and all is not enough and does not provide adequate amounts of vitamins needed for the proper growth and protection of our mind and body. The only alternate is to take vitamin pills. But this does not mean you go on a vitamin binge as excessive amounts can cause poisoning.
Here is a small guide about the types of vitamin and their uses.
Vitamin A:
Vitamin A helps keep teeth, tissue, membranes, and skin healthy. A is extremely important for eye sight, especially in poor lighting. Studies have indicated that it may be very important for breast-feeding mothers as well.
Because it is found in many foods high in saturated fats and cholesterol, people often unknowingly avoid vitamin A as well. Subsequently, a deficiency may result.
A lack in vitamin A may cause:
rough, dry, or pimply skin
digestive problems
lowered resistance to infections
problems with becoming pregnant
poor growth
improper tooth formation
night blindness
eye disease
Vitamin B:
There are eight separate vitamins in the B family: thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, and pantothenic. B vitamins increase energy levels, regulate metabolism, and help create new red blood cells.
A vitamin B deficiency may cause:
fatigue
dizziness
convulsions
mouth sores
nausea
nervousness
hair loss
loss of appetite
depression
Dry and scaly skin
cracks at the corners of the mouth
eye disorders
swollen tongue or gums
sleep disturbances
chest pain
irritation
abdominal discomfort
constipation
stomach upset and nausea
poor memory.
Vitamin B12:
Vitamin B12 helps the body make red blood cells, maintain the nervous system, digest and use fats, carbohydrates, and some proteins for energy and form the neurotransmitters in the brain. Anemia is treated with injections of B12. Vegetarians, their children and the elderly are at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency.
A lacking of vitamin B12 may cause:
anemia
fatigue
very sensitive skin
nerve damage such as tingling sensations and numbness
muscle and nerve paralysis