Over the years, Vitamin D has been noted for its protective benefits against several serious health concerns well beyond bone health. In the mid-1960s scientists began to unravel the true mysteries of this vitamin and found that Vitamin D was not really a vitamin at all. Vitamins are micronutrients that the body cannot produce on its own, but are needed in small quantities for health and well-being. Unlike other vitamins, Vitamin D can be produced by the body through exposure to the sun. Scientists found that Vitamin D was required by the body for numerous metabolic processes. Scientifically, Vitamin D is now referred to as the “Vitamin D hormone”.

According to researchers at the Loyola University, Vitamin D is definitely proving to be the “it” nutrient.1 Lack of Vitamin D has been associated with autoimmunity, fractures, cardiovascular disorders, as well as insulin sensitivity and secretion. Among a host of positive benefits, a healthy intake of Vitamin D is associated with supporting bone health, periodontal health, and mental health.

A recent research study suggests that Vitamin D deficiency may be associated with a significant increase in lung transplant rejection. A study investigator at the Loyola University Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Disease Center noted that about 77 percent of lung transplant patients are Vitamin D deficient. Researchers believe that Vitamin D is critical for positive lung transplant replacements and optimal levels are needed to help the immune system tolerate the new organ. (more…)

Vitamins and minerals are substances your body needs in small but steady amounts for growth, functioning and health. Vitamins and minerals are called trace elements.

Vitamins are a group of essential nutrients that your body can not synthesize itself and must obtain them (in minute quantities) of food for maintaining good health.

Vitamins are essential for various biological processes, including growth, digestion, mental health and resistance to infection. They also help the body use carbohydrates, fats and proteins and act as catalysts – start or accelerate chemical reactions. Although vitamins are involved in converting food to energy, supply body calories. People need 13 different vitamins.

There are 2 types of vitamins: (more…)

Vitamin K is a group of fat soluble vitamins that are needed for the posttranslational modification of certain proteins, mostly required for blood coagulation but also involved in metabolism pathways in bone and other tissue.

Why do we require Vitamin K?

Vitamin K plays an important role in regulating the clotting of blood. Our liver requires Vitamin K to produce proteins that promote blood clotting.

Healthy blood clotting is essential for our everyday health. The ability of our body to clot blood efficiently prevents excessive bleeding when we suffer a skin wound.

It is also essential that blood clotting is regulated efficiently. Too much clotting is as dangerous as too little blood clotting.

At one end of the spectrum, less than normal blood clotting can lead to excessive bleeding when we suffer an injury. At the other end of the spectrum, too much clotting can cause a blockage in the functioning blood vessel(s) in the body.

Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (more…)

What many fail to realize, however, is that with the water soluble vitamins (B vitamins and vitamin C), whatever is not used is eliminate each day. Stocking up on these vitamins therefore, is not possible.

As far as the fat soluble vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin D and vitamin E, whatever is not used is stored in the liver so stockpiling these vitamins could lead to toxic results.

Vitamins assist in the configuration of hormones, blood cells, nervous-system chemicals, and genetic material. Vitamins mainly serve as catalysts for certain reactions in the body.

They combine with proteins to create metabolically active enzymes that in turn produce hundreds of significant chemical reactions throughout the body. The fundamentals of cells depend really upon vitamins.

Vitamins are accountable for maintenance cells strong, binding tissues, fighting infections, etc. Without vitamins our cells would not function correctly and thus our organs would suffer and finally we would no longer be able to survive.

Vitamins help control metabolism, help convert fat and carbohydrates into energy, and assist in forming bone and tissue.

According to a new research milk is the primary source of vitamin D in the American diet, supply nearly half of the entire much-needed vitamin.

Using the latest national data on what more than 16,000 Americans aged two and older eat, researchers investigate the donation of each food group to the total vitamin D intake.

No other food item came close to the vitamin D contribution of milk. In fact, for kids aged two to 18, milk provides nearly two-thirds of all vitamin D in the diet.

Benefits of Vitamins

Many people simply don’t get the proper nutrition these days, and the benefits of vitamins are even more significant than ever.  It’s important that you choose the right vitamin for you in order to reap all the likely benefits of vitamins. (more…)

Vitamins are amino acid compounds that are needed by our body but can not be produced by the body itself, hence it should come from outside through our daily food intake. The nature gives us the luxury by providing various food sources that contains all the vitamins that we need. In many circumstances, it is lack of our knowledge that results to various kinds of illness and disturbances due to vitamin deficiencies.

Now, vitamin becomes essential in particular conditions which include the conditioning of getting pregnant and the pregnancy itself. Its essentiality lies in its role to support normal growth and development of a human being.

Starting from the very beginning at the conception where the development occurs by absorbing the essential nutrients. The growing fetus needs certain vitamins and minerals to develop body parts and system such as the skin, bone as well as the muscles.

If serious deficiency happens in one or several vitamins and nutrients, the presence of a deficiency disease will and are most likely to cause permanent damage in the growing fetus.

After the completion of fetal growth and development and after birth till it gets mature into a healthy adult, vitamins and minerals are still required to maintain the perfect function of the entire body systems. They are needed as catalysts of various metabolic processes of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. So, the message is very clear, do not neglect your vitamin and mineral requirement, please

It is recommended to start taking vitamin supplements when you plan to get pregnant. You can select the kind of prenatal vitamins which contain a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals. Look for those that contain B vitamins, Folic acid and Zinc, which are essential in the production of female hormones.

Here is an overview of “vitamins that become essential” if you plan to get pregnant

Vitamin A

Vitamin A, together with Vitamin D, E and K are included in the fat soluble vitamin group. It plays an important role in our immune system which provides protection against various infection caused by viruses and bacteria that may lead to infertility. It also maintains skin and eye health.

Vitamin A is also recognized to help in hormone balancing, splitting and differentiation of cells and boost fertility in women and increases the quality and production of sperm in men

The recommended daily requirement for men is 900 mcg and for women 700 mcg. Vitamin A rich foods include milk, egg substitute, cheese, cod liver oil, spinach, sweet potatoes, peaches, mangoes, tomato, peas, carrots, broccoli and sweet melon.

In fact, the orange-red colored fruit or vegetables indicate that they contain β-carotene the precursor of vitamin-A which will be metabolized to become vitamin-A

B Vitamins

Vitamin B Complex are water soluble vitamins and includes vitamin B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid) and B12 (cobalamin). Although they are all important, but folic acid is the primary vitamin B member in pregnancy.

Folic acid is present in a wide range of foods such as strawberries, oranges, pasta beans and broccoli. Folic acid is the most important vitamin in the prevention of spina bifida, a neural tube defect (the lining of the brain and spinal cord) that occurs in many cases of stillbirth

The minimum daily requirement of folic acid to support a healthy pregnancy is 400 mcg. While the other vitamin B members are essential for the development of healthy fetus organ and systems such as the nervous system, blood, skin and eyes. B6 is also known to reduce morning sickness and promote energy during pregnancy.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid is another water soluble vitamin which has an anti-oxidant property. Vitamin C is needed in the smooth absorption of iron and to improve body immunity of the mother.

Vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables which are usually sour in taste. The minimum daily requirement for pregnant women is 80 mcg.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is considered as another supplement which you need to increase when trying to get pregnant, since it plays an important role in the formation of bone and teeth of the fetus as well as the healthy bones and teeth of the mother.

Excellent sources of vitamin D are oily fish and milk, which in fact contains the precursor for of vitamin D and with the help of sun rays become vitamin D which is essential in the metabolism of calcium and phosphate.

Resent researches have found out that the actual dietary requirement for a pregnant women and lactation may actually be as high as 6000 IU per day, which is far above the present minimum daily requirement of 200 IU per day.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is another fat-soluble vitamin. It has an antioxidant effect which can improve the function of your body immune system and preventing free radicals to damage sperm.

Vitamin E is also known to have the ability to repair damaged cells, increases the quality of sperm, maintains healthy cervical mucus, regulates the ovulation and increases the probability of conception by men with low sperm counts.

The recommended daily requirement for vitamin E is 15 mg for both women and men. Vitamin E-rich foods include wheat germ, almonds, hazelnuts, spinach, tomatoes, kiwi, mangoes, peanuts butter, corn oil and sunflower seeds.

Vitamin A

An is one of a grouping of fat soluble vitamins that are necessary for life and health.

Vitamin A plays a critical role in :

Vision
Epithelial differentiation
Expansion
Reproduction
Pattern formation during embryogenesis
Bone development
Hematopoiesis
Brain development
Immunological response function
Vitamina

Certain carotenoids, such as beta-carotene alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin, are dietary precursors of vitamin A. Communally, these substances are called provitamin

A.
All the fat soluble vitamins, including A,D,E,K and F are stored in the body tissues and can accumulate poisonous quantities if used too frequently. Inadequacies of these vitamins are also answerable for a spread of health and disease Problems. It is , vital to maintain the intake of fat soluble vitamins between the deficiency and toxicity levels.

Preformed vitamin A springs from animal sources while provitamin A, or the carotenes, are obtained from plant sources. Preformed vitamin An is present in food in the shape of retinyl esters. The principal nutritive supplement types of preformed vitamin An are retinyl palmitate and retinyl acetate. Preformed vitamin An is efficiently soaked up from the small intestines with a potency of from 60%-90%. Vitamin An absorption needs bile salts, pancreatic enzymes and dietary fat. (more…)

I normally go for the Kiwi Strawberry but they haven’t had them available at the store I’ve been going to lately oh well, I’m sure I’ll find one somewhere…
or maybe! maybe! I should just go to Costco and get a huge pack! YAY!

About the Background:

This wasn’t taken in front of a white screen, or a white wall, or anything that you would possibly guess. This was taken in front of a thick layer of fog that filled the canyon this morning Pretty cool huh? Use nature to your advantage! (more…)

i’m glad we found it though because these bottles saved our lives during the day. dehydration, heat exhaustion, everything. thank you vitamin water. i drank maybe 5 or 6 of these throughout the competition. (more…)

Although new sophisticated methods for acne treatment such as laser therapy have been developed to reduce those acne blemishes, there are natural inexpensive ways to manage and even eliminate acne effectively. Vitamins form an integral part of the human skin. Therefore, deficiency in these nutrients can cause a wide range of skin disorders such as acne. Ensuring adequate intake of vitamins for acne control targets the underlying cause and guarantees acne free skin within a short span of time.

Best Vitamins for Acne Control

In order to get that beautiful complexion, doctors often mention to follow a diet rich in vitamins for acne free skin. Consume natural sources of vitamins daily and the acne will soon vanish. Information about acne control using vitamins is provided below:

Vitamin A
Whether it is to control or prevent acne, vitamin A can certainly contribute in many ways to manage this skin problem effectively. Synthesis of skin building compounds like collagen (a type of protein) is dependent on vitamin A. No wonder, topical application or oral intake of retinoids (compounds derived from vitamin A) can work wonders to subside severe forms of acne. There is little doubt that vitamin A plays a crucial role to control and heal acne. So, if you want your pimples to clear away quickly, opting for vitamin A for acne treatment is definitely recommended.

Vitamin B5
Vitamin B5, also referred to as pantothenic acid also comes in the list of vitamins for acne control. Vitamin B5 acne treatment is yet another powerful tool to relieve acne.
Vitamin B5 works to reduce production of sebum (oil), thereby helping to control acne. Even doctors recommend the use of vitamin B5 to combat acne (pantothenic acid for acne) and improve the appearance of the skin.

Vitamin B1
Is the list of vitamins for acne control limited to only vitamin A and B5? Absolutely not! Vitamin B1 (thiamine) also has acne fighting properties and can certainly stop acne from aggravating. Thiamine, being an antioxidant helps to reduce the impact of free radicals on the skin as well as eliminates toxins from the body, which promotes a smoother, acne free skin.

Vitamin B2
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is also important to maintain healthy skin. Studies have also proved that vitamin B2 can make a person susceptible to skin disorders including acne. Also, too much stress can worsen acne, thus making it difficult to manage it properly. Adequate vitamin B2 intake is an easy way to reduce stress, thereby helping to fight acne successfully.

Vitamin B3
Talking about vitamins for acne control and it would be foolish not to mention about vitamin B3 (nicotinamide). The inflammation and the acne spots (whiteheads, papules and blackheads) associated with this skin disorder, respond quite well to vitamin B3 treatment.

Vitamin B6
Hormonal imbalance which is more common in women also gives rise to acne. Research has shown that vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) assists in regulating hormone levels in our body. So, in case skin problems like acne are a result of hormonal changes, doctors suggest to increase vitamin B6 consumption to restore hormonal balance. This in turn contributes to reducing acne considerably.

Vitamin B9
Skin disorders associated with a diet lacking in vitamin B9 (folic acid) can manifest in the form of acne. A person with vitamin B9 deficiency is bound to suffer from acne sooner or later. Vitamin B9 assists in regeneration of healthy skin cells, which can help to improve acne.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is also equipped with properties that help to to keep acne under control. The process of healing acne may take a backseat in case the person is deficient in vitamin C. Vitamin C is crucial to maintain production of collagen (proteins that keep the skin elastic and firm). Being an antioxidant, it rejuvenates the skin and reduces the harmful effects of free radicals. In order to accelerate recovery from acne, adequate vitamin C is a must.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E acts as an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. Be it protection from UV light or increasing the softness of the skin, vitamin E does everything to improve the skin’s health. Considering the benefits of vitamin E on the skin, taking it orally or in topical form can benefit in reducing acne.

Following a healthy well balanced diet provides all the acne vitamins and is considered to be the best way to include vitamins for acne control in your daily meals. For severe forms of acne (cystic acne), a diet alone may not be enough to reduce the appearance of those embarrassing blemishes. So, in addition to a diet, taking vitamin supplements internally or applying lotions containing these nutrients as instructed by the doctor (excess doses can harm the skin) can be a good remedy to alleviate acne symptoms.

When you think of the B vitamins most people think of vitamin B6 or B12 or b complex which makes up the whole group. Vitamin B12 is the most widely known of the vitamin B group however B6 and b complex are starting to become well known due to the huge influx of people with vitamin B deficiencies. On average 1 out of 31 adults above the age of 51 have low vitamin B12. Even though vitamin B12 deficiencies are largely seen in the elderly populations, a study in 2002 found that 40% of healthy men and women had low levels of B vitamins. There are likely a large number of people who go undetected with vitamin B deficiencies.

The B vitamins are a group of water-soluble vitamins that play a huge role in the body. The group of vitamin B’s are essential nutrients to the body because they are involved in so much of the bodies metabolism. The B vitamins are responsible for cellular differentiation, transmission of nerve electricity, health of nerve cells, heart pulse rate, muscular contraction, digestion, brain function, thought processes, energy production, metabolism, maintenance of skin and muscle tone, enhancing the immune and nervous system functions, promoting cell growth and division, and DNA synthesis. Originally the B vitamins were thought to be one vitamin but were later discovered to be a complex set of vitamins that coexist.

Although each individual vitamin has its own set of functions they work in conjunction to maintain the health of the human body.  Each vitamin although specifically categorized within the B group also has their own chemical name ie. B12- cyanocobalamin or methylcobalamin, B2- riboflavin, B9- folic acid.  B vitamins are found in whole unprocessed foods such as meat, poultry, milk, eggs, and fish. Additionally B vitamins can be found in whole grains, potatoes, bananas, lentils, chili peppers, tempeh, beans, nutritional yeast and molasses. However, B12 is the only one of the B group that cannot be found in plant products. Lower levels of vitamin B can be found in processed sugars and flour, as well as beers, and energy drinks, however the effects from these products can cancel out the benefit of the B vitamins or even cause a net deficit of vitamin B within the body.

Vegetarians make up a portion of people with B12 deficiency due to the lack of eating meat. Because of the huge number of people who are vitamin B deficient it is important to understand the reasons behind vitamin B deficiencies. Most people who have low levels or are deficient in vitamin B consume the proper amounts of the vitamin B’s. However, their stomachs have trouble absorbing the vitamin because of reduced levels of stomach acidity or intestinal disorders. In addition a disease called pernicious anemia, destroys the stomach cells that absorbs vitamin B12. Heartburn medicines and ulcer medicines also have this affect on the stomach as well. Surgical procedures on the stomach or intestines can also lead to trouble absorbing vitamin B12. Still there are other reasons for low levels or B deficiencies.

Stress plays a huge role on body functioning and is known for causing physical reactions within the body. Stress actually causes vitamin B levels to deplete within the body and the longer stress is present the longer the body will be deficient of vitamin B. A poor diet that is filled with processed foods and refined sugar leads to lower levels of vitamin B. Ultimately a poor diet leads to malnutrition which can lead to more severe health problems. Also all the food we eat is cooked, baked, heated or fried which leads to the elimination of nutrients. Excessive heating can destroy essential nutrients in the foods that we eat. By eating more raw foods our body can get adequate amounts of all vitamins, minerals and nutrients.  In addition drugs, both recreational and prescription medications deplete the levels of vitamin B. Toxic poisons and chemicals not only in the environment but through personal products can lead to lower levels of vitamin B.

It has been discovered that initially there are no detectable signs that signify a lowered level or deficiency in vitamin B. Lowered levels of vitamin B can cause severe, debilitating problems within the body overtime. Unfortunately the first signs of deficiency are ignored, misinterpreted or diagnosed as something else. This includes signs of altered or diminished capacity such as fatigue, weakness, low energy and poor health. Overtime as the body goes without vitamin B more and more symptoms arise such as mental problems, heart palpitations, heart arrhythmias, fibrillation, indigestion, chronic fatigue, chronic exhaustion, paranoia, nervousness, feeling of uneasiness, easy agitation, frustration, insomnia, restlessness, tingling in hands, fingers and toes, rashes, crying spells, soreness all over, weight loss, cheilosis, sore throat, aggression, dermatitis, mental confusion, diarrhea, acne, paresthesia, anemia, depression, hypertension, impaired growth, peripheral neuropathy, memory loss, and many more. In addition to physical symptomology, diseases and illnesses are soon to appear including beriberi, scurvy, Wernicke’s encephalopathy, ariboflavinosis, pellagra, microcytic anemia, Multiple carboxylase deficiency, and Pernicious anemia. Furthermore with the lack of vitamin B the adrenal system goes into overdrive to produce energy within the body. If the adrenal system continues to work overtime it can become worn out or impaired causing the body even more severe problems.

If you have been diagnosed with lowered levels of vitamin B or a vitamin B deficiency then taking a vitamin B supplement is pertinent to avoiding problems within the body. Although, eating foods that are rich in vitamin B are better than taking a supplement in some cases supplementation is necessary. To raise your vitamin B levels it is necessary to take in at least 1000 mcg a day, which is near impossible to do with regular food. Dietary supplementation is necessary and there are several B vitamin supplements on the market including pills, tablets, capsules, and injections. If a medical doctor diagnoses you with a vitamin B deficiency, they can prescribe B12 or vitamin B complex in pharmaceutical grade. This is more potent than nutritional supplements because it is regulated by the FDA and has to go through a rigorous approval process. Vitamin B injections are more easily absorbed into the bloodstream. They are given once a week and are usually taken for the rest of your life. However vitamin B pills are just as effective as vitamin B shots. Ask your doctor for recommendations on a brand of nutritional supplementation for vitamin B.