Some say that they are healthy. Some say they are in great shape and great health, possibly the best of their lives. Others say their health is not so great. What do you think separates these two groups of people apart in their health lives? Could vitamins have anything to do with it, or are they over-rated? Vitamins aren't only for “health nuts”. It's a fact that they are essential for life. By definition, vitamins are “organic compounds the body needs to maintain health and function” (Merritt). The definition clearly states that vitamins are a must in our daily diets. In general, what might happen if people do not take in the right amounts of vitamins? There are four stages of deficiency. The first one is “Preliminary”, which means there is an inadequate amount of vitamins available to the body. The second step is “Biochemical deficiency”, which means all of your stored vitamins are used up. The third step is “Physiological deficiency”, which means there are no specific signs or symptoms of health issues; however, general weakness, fatigue, nausea, and a loss of appetite may occur. The last stage is the most series of all stages. “Clinical Malnutrition” does have specific signs and symptoms of health related issues, but they depend on the deficient vitamin. (Merritt) There are thirteen different vitamins. They were named alphabetically as they were discovered: A, C, D, E, K, and the B vitamins which are thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, B-6, B-12, and folate. The B vitamins are chemically the same, but have different arrangements. All thirteen of them are micronutrient, which means you need them in small amounts (Merritt). Some find this next fact a little surprising. Vitamins do not contain any calories... ... middle of paper ... ...mount. The RDA is 80 mg for males and 65 mg for females. There are not any toxicity symptoms known for vitamin K (Merritt). The chemical formula for vitamin K is C31H46O2. There are 31 carbons, 46 hydrogen, and 2 oxygen atoms. The molar mass is 173 g/mol (Hermenstine). Vitamins are needed. Without them, we would be nonexistent. After looking at everything they do for us, such as their functions, and looking at what happens when we don't get enough, do you see now why they are so important to us? After looking at the foods you should be eating compared to the foods you actually do eat in your regular diet, can you safely say you are eating right? If you aren't, then why not start today? You may notice a dramatic change if the way you feel. By eating right, and by taking in the appropriate amounts of all 13 vitamins, you will find out what true health is all about.
The more the merrier right? Overtime people have continuously believed that vitamin supplements help the human body sustain a healthier body and well-being, however, have failed to realize the harm that vitamin supplements can do to the body; this is indicated by Paul Offit, the author of “The Vitamin Myth.” He states that over time researches and various studies have proved that Linus Pauling, the soul of the vitamin myth, statements of what vitamin supplements could do for the human body and or life. For example, the National Cancer Institute in 1994, researched smokers who were given various supplements over a period of time however those who were given supplements eventually showed signs of a more dangerous health state than those who did
B12 is one of the 8 vitamins in the B family. It is in the make-up of every cell in your body. That is the important
Some people think that the only reason that vitamins exist are to help those people who have diseases and deficiency. Vitamins are especially helpful for these types of people, but this is not the only reason people should take them. Nobody is perfect, and gaps are apparent in everyday diets which makes a vitamin seem like the perfect fix. Vitamins are not prescribed for the most part, although in some cases they are. If someone is pregnant or nursing, suffering from a lack of a certain nutrient dramatically, or if they are a vegetarian, a doctor may recommend taking a supplement to ensure safety. Although these are prescribed, they are not a medicine that will fix something. "Unlike medicines, supplements cannot claim to cure, treat or prevent
Vitamins are organic and non-caloric micro-nutrients that are essential to life. They are broken down into two major classifications: Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and Water-soluble vitamins (C, B). Vitamins a...
Citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit and their juices are rich in vitamin C. Broccoli, strawberries, cantaloupe, baked potatoes, and tomatoes are rich with Vitamin C. Vitamin C deficiency is rare. For those people who do not get enough vitamin C, they result with Vitamin C deficiency, which means lacking of sufficient amount of vitamin C in diet. Overtime, lacking of vitamin C cause the inability to form new collagen. This causes breaking down various tissues in our bodies, which affects tissues' repair and health. Scurvy is one of the serious disease that comes out with vitamin C deficiency. This disease causes various tissues sign and symptoms such as: fatigue, inflammation of the gums, small red or purple spots on the skin, joint pain, poor wound healing, corkscrew hairs, swelling , bleeding gums and loosening or loss of teeth is an example. Also, Rickets, Beriberi and Pellagra are names of diseases that caused by lack of vitamin
The 13 well-identified vitamins are classified according to their ability to be absorbed in fat or water. The fat-soluble vitamins-A, D, E, and K-are generally consumed along with fat-containing foods, and because they can be stored in the body's fat, they do not have to be consumed every day. The water-soluble vitamins-the eight B vitamins and vitamin C-cannot be stored and must be consumed frequently, preferably every day (with the exception of some B vitamins, as noted below).
According the Ryan N. Harrison, in Vitamins: what are they, how they work, why you need them, what we may not be aware of is that without a good multivitamin supplement, you probably aren 't getting the amounts of vitamins that your body needs to run optimally. Although many people consider their diet to be "up to standards", the truth about it is it is insanely hard to eat a diet that meets the FDA level for vitamins. (Harrison). According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, on the FDA 's website, they state that: "many people consume more calories than they need without taking in recommended amounts of a number of nutrients. The Guidelines warn that there are numerous nutrients—including vitamins—for which low dietary intake may be a cause of concern."
Should we or should we not take multivitamins, that is the question. Based on the information given by article 1,2, and 3 Multivitamins are not good for you to take. Although individual vitamin supplements can be beneficial.
My average intake is 66 mg. it is lower than the required Vitamin C intake. Deficiency in Vitamin C can develop scurvy, if vitamin C is missing on our diet. Oranges, lemon and other citrus fruits, bell pepper, kiwi broccoli, berries, tomatoes and papayas are rich in Vitamin C . Lack of Vitamin D on diet can develop rickets to small children. The required intake for this vitamins is 15microgram and my report is zero. Vitamin D can be achieved from exposure of skin to ultra violet rays of the sun. Vitamin E is responsible for transmission of nerve impulses, body weakness and eye problem that can cause blindness. My nutrient intake for Vitamin 10 mg AT and the require intake is 15 mg AT, which is 5 mg lower than the require amount. Food related to Vitamin E are green leafy vegies such as spinach, kale are rich in Vitamin E, in addition, broccoli, hazel nuts, squash and pumpkin are also rich in Vitamin E. My vitamin K intake is 3 microgram, way too low compared to the requirement which is 90 microgram. Vitamin K deficiency can cause hemorrhagic disease of new born. Food that gives Vitamin K are green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach, canola oils, olive oils, and
When one hears the three words: vitamins, nutrients, and minerals, they think of one thing-being healthy and noticing what your intake is daily. Nutrition is all about vitamins and nutrients. Firstly, vitamins are an organic compound required by the body in small amounts of metabolism, to protect health, and for proper growth of children. Vitamins also assist in the formation of hormones, blood cells, nervous systems chemicals, and genetic material. There are 13 well-identified vitamins. Some examples of the 13 well-identified vitamins are: A, D, E, and K-fat contained foods, B, C-consumed immediately. A well known and commonly used in commercials for orange juice vitamin is vitamin C. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is important in the synthesis and maintenance of connective tissues. The lack of vitamin C will result in a sickness called scurvy. Scurvy harms the gums, mucous membranes, and the skin. Another well-known vitamin and is also used to commercial to give more information about this beverage is the vitamin in milk. The vitamin in milk is vitamin D. If you do not drink milk and obtain this vitamin, your bones and teeth will become soft and weak. Lacking one or more of the 13 well-identified vitamins will cause sickness and weakness to your body. Secondly, nutrients are how the body assimilates certain compounds. Nutrients are classified in 5 major groups: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. One of the five nutrients is carbohydrate. The carbohydrate group principally consists of sugar, starch, dextrin, cellulose, and glycogen. In more basic terms, carbohydrates are sugars needed by human and other living organisms. Some types of foods that contain carbohydrates would be candies, ice cream, fruit juice, soda, chocolate bars etc. Lastly, vitamins are connected to minerals. Minerals are also a very important part of a healthy person. There are 11 major groups of minerals. They are: calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, and zinc. All these terms look very familiar if one has taken chemistry. These are the elements of our world. One of the more common minerals that most people have heard of is calcium. Calcium also helps with the structure and strength of teeth and bones. Vitamins and minerals work together to help humans maintain a healthy body. For example, vitamin D works with calcium to help for and maintain the strength of teeth and bones.
Vitamins are essential aids in many body processes, converting food the energy, building and maintaining cells, and other functions.
The chemical name for vitamin C is ascorbic acid. Its molecular structure is fairly simple to recognize, C6H8O6. There are many positive properties of vitamin C. It is a water-soluble vitamin, so it is easily ingested into the bloodstream. It is also “virtually nontoxic” (3). When vitamin C is ingested, the body only uses what is needed. The rest is carried out of the body through urine. An experiment was carried out using guinea pigs to test the toxicity of the vitamin. “Guinea pigs that were given one half of one percent of their body weight of ascorbic acid per day for a period of days showed no symptoms of toxicity” (3).
The human body requires small amounts of nutrients in microgram or milligram quantities in our diet because it cannot synthesize the necessary amounts on its own. These nutrients are considered micronutrients. Micronutrients are a combination of water, vitamins, and minerals. Vitamins are organic compounds that do not provide energy, but are essential to the body in helping “aid in metabolism, as well as the growth, development and maintenance of body tissues” (Byrd-Bredbenner, Moe and Beshgetoor 402). Vitamins are broken down into two groups, water-soluble and fat-soluble. The water-soluble vitamins are the B-vitamins, and vitamin C. The fat-soluble vitamins are A, D, E, and K. Minerals are needed in even smaller amounts, however these inorganic substances are necessary for “cell metabolism, nerve impulse transmission and growth and development” (Byrd-Bredbenner, Moe and Beshgetoor 485). Minerals can be categorized into major or trace minerals. The major minerals include Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, and Sulfur. Trace minerals are Iron, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Iodine, Selenium, Chromium, Fluoride, Molybdenum and Ultratrace minerals.
Illness is one of the main causes when you don’t have enough vitamins in your system because your immune is weak by not having any vitamin. A weak immune system can make you more susceptible to a common cold or fever. It seems that taking vitamin supplements does not work as well as taking vitamin in by a healthy diet. When eating unhealthy you could get different types of diseases. Having a high blood pressure can cause a higher risk of strokes and heart problems along with diabetes. Over time our population
“If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise not too little not too much, we would have food the safest way of health” (Barasi.E.M, 2003). This essay is going to discuss on the important of six essential nutrients in human body. According to PosnerB.M (1998), he define essential nutrients as a nutrients that the body cannot synthesize on its own-or not to an adequate amount and must be provided by the died. Oxford dictionary (2009), also define essential nutrients as are those nutrients that are required by the body and cannot be synthesise in the adequate amount to meet requirement, so must be provided by the diet. Essential nutrients are those found to be essential to human life and optimal function, Williams.M. H (2006).There are six main type of nutrients used to maintain body health. They are carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water. They must be in balance for the body to function properly.