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.
(13) Pazirandeh S. Overview of vitamin K. In: UpToDate, Post TW (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA. (Accessed 27th April 2014)
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
Vitamin C is a necessary vitamin for the body to carry out its functions properly. It is also known as ascorbic acid. It is a water-soluble nutrient that is found in some foods. It acts as an antioxidant in the body which helps to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals, which are formed when our bodies convert the food we eat into energy. The body needs vitamin C to make collagen which is the protein required in wounds, healing. Moreover, vitamin C promotes the absorption of iron from fruits and vegetables and helps in promoting the immune system. Vitamin C is also important to protect our body from cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and skin wrinkling. We can obtain vitamin C from food and other sources.
On the other hand, excess lack of Vitamin A may lead to hair loss, enlarged spleen, liver damage, increase risk of bone fractures and growth retardation.
These include diseases such as rickets which is caused by a lack of vitamin D. A lack of calcium leads to poor growth in children. At this tender life stage this is a very negative thing because children are still at the peak of their physical development. The malnutrition could have caused stunting which is because the malnutrition hinders growth in their height and weight. Sometimes stunted growth can be permanent and a child may never be able to return to a normal height or weight.
Having to list what I eat each day, see the calories consumed and then see the lack of nutrients that were contained therein was not only eye opening but a total shock. I would have predicted that I was eating well enough to provide all my essential nutrient needs. However, I was very mistaken. I think this was my biggest shock of the semester. Because I love vegetables, I thought that it would make up for the fact that I don’t particularly care for fruits. However, by tracking what I eat and analyzing the nutrient values, I see where I am not getting some of the important vitamins that I need. Although, it has been subtle, I am making some changes in my diet, however, the awareness is keenly there. On a spiritual note it really emphasizes the truthfulness of the Word of
Vitamin, any of the organic compounds required by the body in small amounts for metabolism, to protect health, and for proper growth in children. Vitamins also assist in the formation of hormones, blood cells, nervous-system chemicals, and genetic material. The various vitamins are not chemically related, and most differ in their physiological actions. They generally act as catalysts, combining with proteins to create metabolically active enzymes that in turn produce hundreds of important chemical reactions throughout the body. Without vitamins, many of these reactions would slow down or cease. The intricate ways in which vitamins act on the body, however, are still far from clear.
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.
Vitamin B-12 is essential for energy production as well as influencing the way your body uses carbohydrates.
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
“Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin D.” nih.gov. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 25 November 2011.
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
Vitamins, a group of organic substances required in our diets in small amounts for growth and nutrition, are usually found in foodstuffs or taken as supplements. Yet vitamins probably present a wider gap between myth and reality in the layman's understanding than almost any other area of our diet. Surveys have found that while a majority of Americans do take vitamin supplements on a regular or occasional basis for reason of health concerns, there exists enormous confusion about the actual purpose and benefits of this practice ("Use of Vitamin and Mineral Supplements in the United States," 1990:161). Most people have a recognition that Vitamin C prevents scurvy, that Vitamin A is found in fish-liver oils, or that Vitamin D is found in dairy products; many people believe that Vitamin E preserves youth and prevents sterility, or that Vitamin C can present colds and cancer. Beyond this, however, there is still considerable ignorance and widespread myth.
“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.
The nutrients we get from eating fruits and vegetables are also very important in our daily diet. When we eat anything we get nutrients from it, but the question is are we eating too much? Too much of a good thing can be bad! The different vitamins have many different purposes, vitamin A keeps the eyes and skin healthy and helps protect against infections. Vitamin C helps heal cuts and wounds and keeps your teeth and gums healthy.