Showing posts with label Vitamins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vitamins. Show all posts

Saturday, 20 August 2011

Vitamins and Supplements During Pregnancy

When a woman is pregnant it’s essential that she take extra vitamins. The fetus will need a great deal of vitamins and minerals from the mother’s body and if those vitamins aren’t replaced the mother could develop serious health problems and the baby could also suffer in the long run. If you were going to get all the extra vitamins and minerals that you need during pregnancy from eating alone you’d need to be eating 24 hours a day.



Pregnant women are usually prescribed pre-natal vitamins that have super high levels of certain vitamins that are crucial for the woman’s health and the fetus’ health. A woman that isn’t on pre-natal vitamins should take extra vitamins and supplements to make sure that she is getting the nutrients her body needs to support the fetus. The vitamins that especially important during pregnancy are:



Vitamin A & Beta Carotene (700 mcg) –Vitamin A is essential for growing bones and keeping bones and teeth strong.



Vitamin D (5 mcg) Vitamin D is a “helping vitamin” that helps your body process calcium. Vitamin D also helps keeps bones and teeth strong.



Vitamin E (15 mg)-Vitamin E is essential to keep your red blood cells working properly and to help muscle growth in the fetus.



Vitamin C (80 - 85 mg) - Vitamin C will help boost your immune system and keep you strong and healthy during the pregnancy.



Thiamin/B1 (1.4 mg) Thiamin helps support the nervous system and will give you energy.



Riboflavin/B2 (1.4 mg) Riboflavin helps keep your skin clear and healthy and will help the development of the fetus’ eyes.



Niacin/B3 (18 mg) Niacin will help manage your hormones and keep you calm.



Pyridoxine/B6 (1.9 mg) Works to create new red blood cells and will help fight off morning sickness.



Folic Acid/Folate (600 mcg) - Folic Acid is critical to the healthy development of the fetus. It helps

maintain the placenta and it prevents several birth defects.



Calcium (1,000 - 1,300 mg)-Calcium is needed by you and the fetus for strong bones, healthy teeth,

and strong red blood cells.



Iron (27 mg) –It’s essential that you take an iron supplement during pregnancy. Iron will help prevent anemia, which is one of the most common problems women face during pregnancy. It will also help prevent low birth weight in the fetus and premature delivery.



Protein (60 mg) –Protein will give you energy. It will also help stimulate the production of amino acids.



Zinc (11-12 mg) –Zinc will help your immune system stay strong and healthy and it will also help

your body produce insulin and other enzymes that you need in order to keep your body and the fetus

healthy.

Friday, 4 February 2011

What are the Sources of Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is essential to the human body, it is imperative to get adequate supply every day. They should realize that sources of Vitamin D are the key to good health maintenance, and it plays a lot of key roles in one’s health development. It maintains the body’s immune function, and it regulates the calcium and phosphorous levels in the body which reduces risks of bone diseases. Vitamin D is vital to a balanced and healthy diet. The body can get Vitamin D from various natural and supplemental sources. The sources of Vitamin D are somewhat limited yet easily obtainable.

One of the most common sources of vitamin D is the sunlight. Adults must be open to the elements of the sunlight for atleast 20 to 30 minutes per day to get enough vitamin d. People with darker skin or use sun blocks with high SPFs should be aware that they need to stay longer under the sun for their daily Vitamin D dosage. Now, if you are living in the utmost northern or southern hemisphere of the globe then it is best to get as much sunlight as you can, especially if the sun shows up for only six months of a year.

The second sources of Vitamin D are food sources. Cod liver oil is the best food source followed different kinds of fishes that include salmon, tuna and mackerel. In addition to that, dairy products are available but make sure that the label indicate that it is fortified with vitamin D. Foods like cereals, juices, yogurt and margarine are also rich in vitamin D.

Lastly, dietary supplements are also good sources of vitamin D. Some people opt for multivitamins while others prefer single supplements in the form of D2 and D3, which health experts suggest that D3 is more effective than the former. D3 produces the pre hormone calcidiol and a steroid hormone called calcitriol.

It is important to note the sources of Vitamin D because one should always make use of them as a way to prevent certain diseases from ravaging our systems.

By Health Articles

What are the Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency?

It is unfortunate that a lot of people don’t know the severity and symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency. People have a hard time diagnosing vitamin D deficiency because its symptoms are similar to a variety of muscular, gastrointestinal and autoimmune diseases. If left untreated, Vitamin D deficiency can be a serious health issue that one should confront in the future. If one thinks that the symptoms of Vitamin d deficiency are manifesting in the body, seek medical attention immediately.

A common symptom of Vitamin D deficiency is unusual pain. One may visit a neurologist and undergo a series of laboratory examinations. If all the results yield negative findings, then the underlying cause may be vitamin D deficiency.

A symptom of vitamin d deficiency is pain radiating from their bones. This may be attributed to osteoporosis brought about by lack of vitamin d for long periods of time. Additional symptoms may include bone fractures, lower back pain, and loss of height, neck pain and stooped posture.

A symptom that can distinguish Vitamin D deficiency is a change in normal behavior. They would experience mood swings, depression or both. They may deal with what experts called “winter blues.” Vitamin D deficiency can consider muscle weakness as one of its symptom. Such weakness comes with a general feeling of fatigue and low energy. Fatigue is different from being sleepy, because one just has a feeling of being tired instead of yearning for some shut-eye.

Sleep irregularities is also a symptom of Vitamin D deficiency and what’s bad about it is people don’t associate this symptom with lack of Vitamin D, hence they take it for granted.

Vitamin D deficiency symptoms can also manifest in bone and muscle weakness. One would have a hard time rising from a chair, or climbing stairs or even walking. Osteomalacia for adults, rickets for children, both terms refer to softened bones. Since the arms and legs are not bowed, adults don’t realize that their bones have softened or are softening. Spotting vitamin d deficiency symptoms are very hard for people. It is important to take note of vitamin D intake so one can prevent vitamin d deficiency from developing.

By Recent Health Articles

Vitamin D3: Discover the Benefits and Functions

D2 and D3 are the two forms of Vitamin D. Among the two the most beneficial to the human body is the vitamin D3 because it controls the level of phosphorous in the blood and calcium that are very important in terms of bone development and growth. D2’s origins are from plants and invertebrates and not necessarily from the body. D2 has a hard time being absorbed by the body and does not have the same effect as the one given by D3. D3 is a byproduct of the sun’s ultraviolet B rays and the body’s surface. Animals such as sheep are great sources of this vitamin.

Vitamin D3 Benefits.

Vitamin D3 brings forth a lot of benefits. One of the many reasons why doctors suggest parents to have their children play under the sun is because it promotes healthy teeth and bones in children and encourages calcium absorption. This is an important aspect in bone mass building and prevention of bone loss and protecting people against muscle weakness. Vitamin D3 also reduces the risks of breast, colon, and prostate cancer. This is because this compound improves the functions of the immune system, which counteract autoimmune diseases. People who are suffering from the pains and aches brought about by rheumatoid arthritis will find their relief in Vitamin D.

Primary Functions of Vitamin D3.

Vitamin D3 is the only vitamin that can be produced naturally by exposing oneself under the rays of the sun. Though it is considered a vitamin, D3 has hormone-like attributes. When the sunlight penetrates your skin, it will start the process of synthesis in your liver and kidney. This will creates the essential vitamin in our body to maintain balance. Vitamin D3 then regulates the levels of calcium and phosphorous in the body thus regulating bone and muscle development.

Better make sure that one would get sufficient amounts of Vitamin D for better health. The other sources of vitamin D are milk, tuna, sardines, eggs and salmon.

By Current Health Articles

The Pros and Cons of Liquid Vitamin D

A majority of the American population, around 40% takes multi vitamins or vitamin supplements. But little do they know that the body does not consume almost 95 percent of the nutrients in the supplement properly. This renders the pills and tables useless or ineffective when it comes to their purpose. It’s a good thing than another alternative is available, liquid vitamins. They are more efficient as compared to chewable vitamins.

These supplements such as liquid vitamin d are easier to consume than swallowing a large tablet with water. Another plus for liquid vitamin takers is the variety of flavors one can choose from to suit one’s distinguished palates. One asset of liquid vitamin d is that the body can easily absorb it into its system. If the supplement is in liquid form, a specific compound is broken down into its elements making it more absorbable for the body. The absorption rate of a tablet vitamin is 30% compared to the 90% absorption rate of liquid vitamin. Since the body consumes the liquid vitamin d adequately, the nutrients are also more effective. Plus, most liquid vitamins are highly concentrated compared to the tablet.As a result of this high concentration, the bio-activity of one’s body increases. A resulting effect will be the strengthening of the immune system.

One should take note that there are also disadvantages in taking liquid vitamin D. Absorption of liquid is not at all good for the body. This is because all liquids ingested to the body lose nutrients during the process of digestion. Now, in this situation the liquid vitamin d will also lose its nutrients even before it enters the intestine where the actual digestion of the vitamin occurs. Yet it is still efficient as compared to chewable supplements considering it is dispersed in the body through the blood stream.

The popular option is the liquid vitamin because of its potency and efficiency. Whatever vitamins the body requires, it is best to take it in liquid form.

By Health Articles

Vitamin D: Anything in Excess is Bad

One may often lead to inquire how can a vitamin, that is very important to the body can become harmful when taken into excess? Yes, vitamin D is produced by direct exposure to sunlight and it is naturally produced in the human body, which is also fat-soluble making it completely harmless. Vitamin D toxicity occurs when there is an excess of intake of vitamin D supplements. When one consumes large amounts of vitamin d, the chances of vitamin D toxicity is high especially if the body fails to absorb it all. People have misconceptions that taking so many vitamins are harmless yet they never realize anything in excess could be harmful to one’s health. When people take more vitamin than the body needs, this condition can raise serious problems such as Vitamin D toxicity.

Vitamin D toxicity can be described by the following symptoms.

An effect of excess vitamin D is hypocalcaemia, which is an elevated calcium level in the blood. This will lead to anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation. If it is left untreated, it may lead to further complications such as drowsiness, constant headaches, joint pains, bone pains and even irregular heartbeat. The most unnoticeable symptoms of vitamin D toxicity are excessive thirst, weakness, itching, and frequent urination. These can be misleading to other causes but in truth, this comes from over consumption of vitamin D. Kidney failure and ischemic hear disease are the worst thing that may happen if the condition persists.

One should always take note that the long exposure to the sun will not cause vitamin d toxicity. It will not also happen when eating foods rich with Vitamin D. Vitamin D supplements taken in excess can lead to breaking down of bones. So be sure to give extra caution. Although vitamin d toxicity is a rare case, this condition should not be completely ignored. It is still important to consult a physician when taking the proper dosage of supplements. After all, vitamin d supplements should augment the lack of vitamin d.

By Recent Health Articles

The Importance of Purchasing Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays an important role in calcium metabolism in the body. Although the human body when exposed to direct sunlight naturally produces vitamin d, there are cases that our body cannot produce sufficient amount of vitamins. This can lead to Vitamin D deficiency that has disastrous effects on the body. People buy Vitamin D supplements to make sure they can prevent the effects of Vitamin D deficiency which are mineralization of bones and teeth, rickets, osteomalacia and osteoporosis.

Nowadays, people don’t get sufficient vitamins in one’s intake of food that is why they resort to buy Vitamin D supplements. Come to think of it, people who are living in the north hemisphere are highly possible to suffer from vitamin D deficiency because they do not get enough sunshine particularly in the winter. Physicians require their patients to buy vitamin d supplements so they can balance the vitamin levels in their body.

It is important to take vitamin D because during the cold season, the body produces less of it and the immune system is thus prone to infection. This supplement is effective in strengthening your immune system and helps your bodies fight off bacteria causing flu, cold, or infections. People also buy vitamin D supplements for other reasons, one of which is to prevent the risk of acquiring type 1 diabetes.

Vitamin D can cause positive effects on the body, for diabetics it can reduce insulin resistance and controls the body’s blood sugar that reduces risks of diabetes related problems. It improves an individual’s eyesight, memory, and focus. It also protects the cardiovascular system by making sure that there is amply blood supply to the heart. It also eases the stress of heart-damaging inflammation and strengthens the heart muscles by calming the blood pressure. Just like everything in life, when one buys vitamin D, make sure it is taken in moderation, for taken in excess may lead to disastrous results. Consult with a physician first if the body needs vitamin supplements. Keep in mind that you need enough sunshine to allow your body to naturally produce vitamin D but if you are encouraged to stay indoors a lot, supplements are very helpful. You may buy vitamin D online or from drug or health stores.

By Current Health Articles

Getting Enough Sunlight―Benefits of Vitamin D

There are many advantages of vitamin D. It is one of those interesting nutrients because it comes from various sources that other people just take for granted. Since it plays an important role in one's health, it is imperative to supply our bodies with this nutrient. The most important benefit of vitamin D is to aid the body in breaking down calcium for body absorption.

Those who constantly take vitamin d supplements or foods sources are less likely to suffer from the illnesses like osteoporosis and arthritis because this nutrient influences the development of the bones and joints. There are also studies that show that one of the vitamin D benefit is it prevents colon and colorectal cancers.

There many other benefits of vitamin D aside from preventing cancer and strengthening the bones but it can also improve one's insulin secretion plus lowers risks of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, there are even scientist who think that intake of vitamin D may aid in preventing Alzheimer's disease.

One of the sources of Vitamin D is sunshine. The sun's ultraviolet rays help in synthesizing the Vitamin D in a person's body. Sunshine gives benefits of vitamin D to our body because it can also give one’s body a nice tan while being exposed to it.

There are other ways of getting Vitamin D, for one, certain foods including dairy products fortified with Vitamin D including butter and margarine. The pure and unrefined cod liver oil is rich in Vitamin D. You may also find various supplements that contain vitamin D and are available in drugstores or supermarket.

Vitamin D3 supplements are also on hand for consumption in order for you to meet the required daily intake of 1000 to 2000 IU that was recommended by experts. This is a great alternative source of Vitamin D for those who cannot stay out to get 15 minutes of sun exposure or who lives far off north.

Vitamin D is important in ones daily nutritional need. It is important to have gainful knowledge on the benefits of vitamin d so that one can realize its significance in our health and daily lives.

By Recent Health Articles

Facts About Vitamin D Foods

In our everyday lives, vitamin d is the most taken for granted substance. People never realized that Vitamin D has been long known to be a critical component for bone health development and it regulates calcium and phosphorus levels in the body. Its role is to keep a flawless immune system and to lessen the swelling of organs that results to chronic diseases such as cancer or cardiac arrest. For this reason, people shouldblearn that they can become healthier by eating vitamin D foods

Salmon, mackerel, and sardines are fatty fish that perfect vitamin D foods sources A single serving of salmon provides about 360 I.U. of vitamin D and one can of sardines has around 250 I.U. Cod and its liver oil plus Swiss cheese, liver, egg yolks are also rich in this vitamin. Finding vitamin D foods sources can be tough because as per the Food and Nutrition Board an adult who are 50 years old and below needs 200 IU while adults that are 51 to 70 should get 400 IU per day, and for those beyond 70, 600 IU.

The other sources of Vitamin D foods are pure unrefined cod liver oils, which contains 1360 IU of Vitamin D. However, if you want, you can resort to food items that are fortified with vitamin D. Orange juice and milk for instance have been fortified with Vitamin D, that they contain almost 100 IU per serving. Oats and cereals are also good sources of Vitamin D, and the American Heart Association emphasizes once again the intake of salmon at least three times a week, not only it prevents cardiovascular diseases, Vitamin D is also supplemented in one’s diet.

Keep in mind that vitamin D foods sources are diminutive, it is crucial to keep levels of vitamin D sufficient. Undoubtedly, vitamin is important to one's affluence because it deeply influence the growth and production of muscles, which is why it is crucial to have vitamin D included in your diet and constant exposure to healthy sunlight.

By Current Health Articles