Medical and Health Congress

Archive for the ‘Vitamin and Minerals’ Category

Precautions and curiosities
Fat-soluble vitamins, unlike water-soluble vitamins can be stored in adipose tissue of the body, so the consumption of foods containing them may be more sporadic.

Fat-soluble vitamins A and D can be toxic in very high quantities. In the case of vitamin A from plant origin (carotenoids) when consumed excessively can collect under the skin and mucous membrane color, but safely. The safety margins to avoid toxicity boxes are estimated at ten times the recommended intake.

The doctor or specialist will advise the amount of fat-soluble vitamins we need, but as a rule, we must always remember to take them during periods not too long (a few weeks or few months, as appropriate)

Vitamins are an important component of the human body. These organic compounds allow for proper regulation of everyday bodily functions that are necessary for survival. Each of the many known vitamins provides several benefits and is used for different tasks within the body.

Vitamin A
1. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin responsible for the growth and health of the bones and teeth. In addition, it helps to ensure clear and smooth skin.

Vitamin B12
2. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that directly affects the development and growth of red blood cells. It also helps to synthesize DNA, raises white blood cell counts and aids in growth.

Vitamin C
3. The water-soluble vitamin C is essential to hundreds of metabolic functions in the body. It aids in tissue growth, regulates red blood cells, maintains connective tissue and repairs glands.

Vitamin E
4. Vitamin E is fat-soluble and acts as an antioxidant. It repels unwanted cells and helps facilitate muscle function.

Vitamin K
5. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin used to increase bone density, prevent certain types of cancer and aid in pancreas function.

Vitamins are essential nutrients obtained in the diet. Vitamins were once thought to consist of only amine groups, which are chemical compounds consisting of nitrogen and hydrogen. Because of this, scientists gave these nutrients the name “vitamin,” which comes from the terms “vital” and “amine.” Each vitamin plays a role in human development and health.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A’s main function is to provide the body with the chemical compounds used for vision. Retinol is used in the eyes to help facilitate the conversion of light to impulses sent to the brain. Retinol is degraded, and it is not recycled. Therefore, the body requires replenishment of vitamin A. Vitamin A is also used for immunity, red blood cell production, gene transcription and growth and development. Vitamin A is found in brightly colored plants such as carrots, eggs, cod liver oil, milk, spinach and broccoli.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid. Vitamin C plays a role in several functions in the human body. Vitamin C is used to make cellular tissue such as collagen, tendons, ligaments and bone. Vitamin C also helps the body convert aged cholesterol to bile acids, which are then released from the body in the gastrointestinal tract. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, which means it attaches to free radicals, neutralizing the potential damage from pollutants and toxins. Vitamin C is found in foods such as oranges, tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries and grapefruit. Read the rest of this entry »

When we think of the nutritional content of salmon, we often limit it to omega-3 fatty acids. While omega-3 fats are vitally important to health, salmon has much more to offer us in the form of vitamins.

There are many different types of salmon, from wild Atlantic salmon to chinook salmon, yet they all contain certain basic vitamins. The exact vitamin content will vary, based on the type of salmon and the cooking method used in preparation.

B Vitamins
The highest concentration of vitamins in salmon come from the family of B vitamins. The American Cancer Society reports that B vitamins are necessary for many functions in the body, such as metabolism, growth and the production of blood cells. In a 3 oz. serving of baked salmon there is 0.2 mg of thiamine (vitamin B1).

While that may not seem like a high content, consider the fact that 0.2 mg is actually 16 percent of the recommended daily allowance for thiamine. Other B vitamins in salmon are 0.4 mg of riboflavin (vitamin B2), which is 24 percent of the recommended daily allowance (RDA); 2.6 mg of vitamin B12, which is 43 percent of the RDA; 8.6 mg of niacin which is also 43 percent of the RDA; and 0.8 mg of vitamin B6 which is 40 percent of the RDA. Read the rest of this entry »

Vitamins are organic compounds that organisms require for nutrients. When an organism is not receiving the required amount of a certain compound, it may need necessary to supplement with vitamins.

Vitamins don’t include other nutrients such as dietary minerals or acids. One vitamin may be made up of several different compounds. A vitamin can come in a pill or liquid form, and there are 13 types of vitamins that humans need.

History
1. Vitamins started with the ancient Egyptians. The Egyptians discovered that night blindness could be cured by eating liver. Liver contains a high amount of Vitamin A, so some people with a Vitamin A deficiency suffered from night blindness.

During the Renaissance, many shipmates fell ill due to a vitamin deficiency from not having enough fruits and vegetables to last through the voyage.

Nutrition
2. In order to experience a normal and healthy development, an organism must ingest an appropriate amount of vitamins. In humans, from the moment a fetus starts to grow it will need vitamins and nutrients.

These nutrients cause chemical reactions that create bone, muscle and skin. Vitamins are available through different types of foods and in supplements. A nutritious diet will help to ensure that a person receives a healthy amount of vitamins.

Deficiencies
3. There are two types of vitamin deficiencies. Primary deficiencies happen if an organism does not get enough vitamins through food. Secondary deficiencies occur in underlying disorders that prevent absorption of certain vitamins. Secondary deficiencies usually happen due to alcohol consumption, smoking, the use of certain medications or eating restricted diets. Read the rest of this entry »

The body breaks down the foods we eat in order to use nutrients found in these items. While many people focus on eating healthy foods in order to maintain a healthy weight, not getting the proper nutrients can cause problems beyond weight gain. There are six types of nutrients, and within one type of nutrient group, vitamins, there are numerous types the body needs to survive.

Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are primarily responsible for fueling your body, giving you energy throughout the day. Some carbohydrates, like table sugar, are broken down very quickly for quick bursts of energy, while other carbohydrates, like whole grains, are more complex. Complex carbohydrates take longer to break down and thus fuel you with energy slowly throughout the day.

Fat
Fat is a nutrient that the body can store to provide energy when you do not eat enough carbohydrates. Excess carbohydrates can also be broken down and stored in the body as fat.

Protein
Protein provides the body with material to grow. Where carbohydrates and fats are broken down to produce energy, protein is broken down to give your body material for tissue repair and growth.

Water
Water is used by the body 24 hours a day, and at any given time, you are actually composed of 50 to 55 percent water. When the body breaks down carbohydrates, fats and proteins, it produces heat, and water helps keep your temperature regulated.Water is also used to transport other nutrients throughout the body.

Minerals
Minerals are nutrients that provide building material for your body, like protein. For example, the mineral calcium is used to build bones. Some minerals are also responsible for helping to regulate body functions.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is one of the 13 vitamins that your body needs. This vitamin is an antioxidant, so its primary role is to protect your cells from harmful substances that are introduced to the body. It is also responsible for bone growth, vision, reproduction and improving the functions of your cells and immune system.

The B Vitamins
There are eight vitamins in the “B” category: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, B6, biotin, B12 and folic acid. These vitamins all help the body process other nutrients from food, and they also form the red blood cells found in your circulatory system. Read the rest of this entry »