|
Understanding Vitamins and Their Benefits
Home >> Vitamins and their Benefits
 While many believe that vitamins are less important than other aspects such
as diet and exercise, it is certainly not the case.
Vitamins are in fact essential to good health and work to regulate the
metabolism and aid biochemical processes that release energy from
digested food.
They provide enzymes that serve as the foundation of human
bodily functions by acting as catalysts in chemical reactions that take
place within the body.
Understanding vitamins and their benefits can be difficult
because of their complexity as well as the sheer number of vitamins
available.
The following is a descriptive overview of vitamins and their benefits:
 Vitamin A
Vitamin A
is essential in bone and teeth formation, aids in fat storage, and protects
against colds, flu, and infections of the kidneys, bladder, lungs, and
mucous membranes. It acts as an antioxidant, and protects cells against
various diseases while also promoting new cell growth. It also slows the
aging process by helping the body utilize protein.
Vitamin Pages On This Site Vitamin B Complex
The
B Vitamins act as coenzymes, which help enzymes to react chemically with
other substances, and assist in energy production. They help to maintain the
health of the nerves, skin, eyes, hair, liver, and mouth, as well as healthy
muscle tone in the gastrointestinal tract and proper brain function.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Thiamine enhances circulation and aids blood formation, carbohydrate
metabolism and in the production of hydrochloric acid, which helps in proper digestion.
This vitamin also optimizes cognitive activity and brain function. It also
provides benefits on energy, growth, normal appetite, and learning capacity.
As an antioxidant, it protects the body from the effects of aging,
alcohol consumption, and smoking.
 Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Riboflavin is essential for red blood cell formation,
antibody protection, cell respiration, and growth. It aids in the
of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It helps Vitamin A maintain the mucous membranes in the digestive tract.
Riboflavin also facilitates the use of oxygen by tissues of the skin, nails,
and hair, eliminates dandruff; and helps the absorption of iron and vitamin
B6.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin, Nicotonic Acid, Niacinamide)
Vitamin B3 aids in proper circulation and healthy skin as
well as functioning of the nervous system,
metabolism of carbohydrates,
fats, and proteins, and in the production of hydrochloric acid. Niacin also
lowers cholesterol and improves circulation.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Vitamin B5 is often considered the "anti-stress vitamin", and plays
a role in adrenal hormone production and antibody formation. It also assists
in vitamin utilization, and helps to convert fats, carbohydrates, and
proteins into energy.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
This vitamin is the most involved in bodily functions than
almost any other single nutrient, supporting both physical and
mental health. It is necessary for the production of hydrochloric
acid and the absorption of fats and protein. It also aids in maintaining
sodium and potassium balance, and promotes red blood cell formation. It
activates many enzymes and aids in the
absorption of vitamin B12, in immune system function, and in antibody
production. Pyridoxine additionally increases immunity to cancer and aids in the
prevention of arteriosclerosis.
Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)
This vitamin is the most chemically complex of all the
vitamins. This vitamin is active in the growth and protection of the nervous
system. Larger quantities are especially necessary to protect against
neurological deterioration as we age. It has been shown to reverse the
symptoms of rare neurological diseases such as Bell's Palsy.
Biotin
Biotin aids in cell growth, fatty acid production, and the
of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It may
prevent hair loss and promotes healthy sweat glands, nerve tissue,
and bone marrow.
Choline
Choline is essential for the transmission of nerve impulses
form the brain through the central nervous system. It helps in hormone
production and minimizes excess fat in the liver.
Folate
Folate is considered a "brain food,"
and is needed for energy production and the formation of red blood cells. It boosts
immunity by aiding white blood cells. It is also important for healthy cell
division and replication. Moreover, it is involved in protein
metabolism
and has been used in the prevention and treatment of folic acid anemia.
Inositol
Inositol is vital for hair growth, has a calming effect, and
helps to reduce cholesterol levels. It also assists the formation of lecithin
and the metabolism of fat and cholesterol. Researchers speculate that it may
also help in the treatment of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and
anxiety disorders.
Para-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA)
 PABA
is an antioxidant that protects against sunburn by reducing the absorption
of ultraviolet-B radiation, which then prevents skin cancer. Additionally,
it acts as a coenzyme in the breakdown and utilization of protein, and
assists in the formation of red blood cells.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin C assists at least three hundred metabolic functions in the
body, and it also aids production of anti-stress hormones. It can reduce
symptoms of asthma and protect against harmful effects of pollution, helps
prevent cancer and infection. Moreover, Vitamin C boosts immunity and
increases the absorption of iron.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium and
phosphorus. It is especially important in normal growth concerning the
development of bones and teeth. It protects against muscle weakness and
regulates heartbeat. It is also important in prevention and treatment of
various diseases and conditions, including breast cancer, colon cancer,
osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and hypocalcemia. Vitamin D also enhances
immunity, and regulates thyroid function.
 Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and helps protection cells from destruction
by oxygen and aids in the utilization of
vitamin A.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K plays a very important role in normal blood
clotting in its production of prothrombin. It also plays a key role in bone
formation and repair as well as the synthesis of osteocalcin, which is the
protein in bone tissue on which calcium crystallizes. As a result, it helps
prevent osteoporosis. Vitamin K also plays an important role in the
intestines and aids in converting glucose into glycogen for storage in the
liver.
Bioflavinoids
While bioflavinoids are not necessarily "vitamins" in the
conventional sense, they are often referred to as "vitamin P." Bioflavinoids
are important for the absorption of vitamin C, and thus should be taken
together. The human body cannot produce bioflavinoids, so they must be
supplied in
the diet. They also help in reducing pain in injuries, have an
antibacterial effect, and promote circulation.
Coenzyme Q10
CoQ10 is a vitamin-like substance, which resembles that of vitamin E. It
is essential in energy production on a cellular level, which aids in
circulation, stimulates
the immune system, increases tissue oxygenation, and has vital anti
aging effects.
Please Note
All the Information within this site is for reference only
with no guarantee of accuracy; it is not intended to
diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
Statements about the products efficacy have not been
evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
It is important to emphasize that you should not
reject mainstream medical attention and guidance and the
use of recommended products, treatments, and remedies
for individual disorder should be approved and monitored
by your health care provider.
See disclaimer for more!
|
|
Copyright © 2008-2010 Nutrition-Health-Articles.Org All Rights Reserved
