Medical and Health Congress

Posts Tagged ‘vitamins’

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)

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 »

How Much Do I Need?
You might think that all you need to get enough vitamins and minerals is to take a multivitamin once a day. Unfortunately it is not so simple. The amount of micronutrients in many of these pills are based on the recommended dietary amount (in English Recommended Dietary Allowance or RDA) established by the U.S. government.

The problem is that the amount established by the RDA does not represent the amount required for HIV-positive people, but that is the minimum amount needed by healthy people to prevent deficiencies.

HIV disease and some medications may decrease the levels of some micronutrients. One study showed that HIV-positive people need 6 to 25 times more of some nutrients. Still, a high potency multivitamin is a good way to get basic micronutrients.

What nutrients are important?
There has been insufficient research in HIV-positive people on this issue. However, one study showed that a multivitamin supplement had significant benefits in pregnant women in Tanzania. In addition, many nutrients interact with each other. Most nutritionists believe in designing a comprehensive program of supplements.

People with HIV may benefit from taking supplements of vitamins and minerals as follows:

* B Vitamins: Vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and folate (folic acid).
* Antioxidants, including beta carotene (the body breaks down beta-carotene to vitamin A), selenium, vitamin E (tocopherol) and vitamin C.
* Magnesium and Zinc

WHY ARE VITAMINS AND MINERALS IMPORTANT?

Vitamins and minerals are also called micronutrients. The body uses them in small amounts to facilitate chemical reactions that cells need to live. Different nutrients affect digestion, nervous system, thought and other body functions.

Micronutrients are found in many foods. Healthy people can get enough vitamins and minerals from food. People with HIV or other diseases need more micronutrients to repair and heal cells. In addition, many medications can cause a deficiency of different nutrients.

WHAT ARE ANTIOXIDANTS?

Some molecules in the body are in a state known as rust, also are called free radicals. React easily with other molecules and can damage cells. High levels of radicals seem to cause much of the damage associated with aging.

Free radicals are products of normal body chemistry. Antioxidants are molecules that stop the free radical reaction with other molecules and thus limit the damage they cause. Several nutrients are antioxidants.

Antioxidants are important for people with HIV since HIV infection increases the levels of free radicals. In addition, free radicals can increase the activity of HIV. High levels of antioxidants can slow the virus and help repair the damage it causes.