VITAMINS AND “VITAMINDRINKS”-THEIR EFFECTS

Food is a substance or material taken to provide nutritional support for the body or for pleasure. It usually consists of plant or animal origin, which contains essential nutrients, such as, carbohydrates (rice, flour, wheat), fats (animals), proteins (lintils), vitamins, or minerals (vegetables, fruits) , and is ingested and assimilated by an organism to produce energy, stimulate growth, and maintain life. These substances are essential to the living beings. Deficiency of any of them produces detrimental effect to an animal. Each ingredient of food has its own function to keep the body right. Now-a-days, the necessity of different vitamins has properly evaluated and assessed. Deficiency of any of the vitamins causes different diseases and affects our body.

Vitamins and minerals are substances that are found in foods we eat. Our body needs them to work properly, for our growth and development. When it comes to vitamins, each one has a special role to play. For example: vitamin D in milk helps your bones, vitamin A in carrots helps us to see at night, vitamin C in oranges helps our body heal if we get a cut, B vitamins in leafy green vegetables help our body make protein and energy.

There are two types of vitamins: fat soluble and water soluble.

When we eat foods that contain fat-soluble vitamins, the vitamins are stored in the fat tissues in your body and in your liver. They wait around in our body fat until our body needs them.

Fat-soluble vitamins are happy to stay stored in your body for awhile — some stay for a few days, some for up to 6 months! Then, when it’s time for them to be used, special carriers in our body take them to where they’re needed. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are all fat-soluble vitamins.

Water-soluble vitamins are different. When we eat foods that have water-soluble vitamins, the vitamins don’t get stored as much in our body. Instead, they travel through your bloodstream. Whatever our  body doesn’t use comes out when you urinate (pee).

Our body is one powerful machine, capable of doing all sorts of things by itself. But one thing it can’t do is make vitamins. That’s where food comes in. Our body is able to get the vitamins it needs from the foods we eat because different foods contain different vitamins. The key is to eat different foods to get an assortment of vitamins.

Vitamin A

This vitamin plays a really big part in eyesight. It’s great for night vision, like when you’re trick-or-treating on Halloween. Vitamin A helps us see in color, too, from the brightest yellow to the darkest purple. In addition, it helps us grow properly and aids in healthy skin. Various sources of A are milk fortified with vitamin A, liver, orange fruits and vegetables (like cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potatoes) ,dark green leafy vegetables (like kale, collards, spinach),etc.

The B Vitamins

There’s more than one B vitamin. Here’s the list: B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, biotin, and pantothenic acid. Whew — that’s quite a group!

The B vitamins are important in metabolic activity — this means that they help make energy and set it free when our body needs it. This group of vitamins is also involved in making red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout our body. Every part of our body needs oxygen to work properly, so these B vitamins have a really important  job. Important sources of B vitamins are whole grains, such as wheat and oats, fish and seafood, poultry and meats, eggs, dairy products, like milk and yogurt, leafy green vegetables, beans and peas etc.

Vitamin C

This vitamin is important for keeping body tissues, such as gums and muscles in good shape. C is also key if we get a cut or wound because it helps us heal. This vitamin also helps our body resist infection. This means that even though we can’t always avoid getting sick, vitamin C makes it a little harder for our body to become infected with an illness. Important sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits, like oranges, cantaloupe, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, kiwi fruit, sweet red peppers etc.

Vitamin D

No bones about it . . . vitamin D is the vitamin we need for strong bones! It’s also great for forming strong teeth. Vitamin D even lends a hand to an important mineral — it helps our body absorb the amount of calcium it needs. Important sources vitamin D are milk fortified with vitamin D, fish, egg yolks, liver, fortified cereal etc.

Vitamin E

Everybody needs E. This hard-working vitamin maintains a lot of our body’s tissues, like the ones in our eyes, skin, and liver. It protects our lungs from becoming damaged by polluted air. And it is important for the formation of red blood cells. Important sources vitamin E are whole grains, such as wheat and oats, wheat germ, leafy green vegetables,  sardines, egg yolks, nuts and seeds etc.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is the clotmaster! Remember the last time we got a cut? Our blood did something special called clotting. This is when certain cells in our blood act like glue and stick together at the surface of the cut to help stop the bleeding. Important sources of vitamin K are leafy green, vegetables, dairy products, like milk and yogurt, broccoli, soybean oil etc.

Is vitaminwater good for us ?

On a large scale,Glaceau,owned by Coca-Cola, markets vitamimdrinks having different colors, by emphasizing its nutritional value.  Is there any science behind the marketing though?

A vitamin-fortified drink may sound like a swell idea, but there are two caveats to keep in mind. First, most Americans aren’t vitamin-deficient, according to Marion Nestle, a nutrition professor at New York University. A government survey  in 1999 showed that the median American adult man or woman already consumes more than the Recommended Dietary Allowance  (RDA) of vitamins thiamin, riboflavin,niacin, B6 and B12, and three-quarters of the RDA of vitamins C, B9 and A (including carotenes ). In fact, vitamin E is the only surveyed vitamin Americans consume at less than half of the RDA – but it’s found in only a third of vitaminwater drinks.

If we want to drink an additional amount of vitamin E, there’s a second caveat: our body may not absorb it. To understand why, it’s important to know that vitamins can be divided into two groups: water-soluble and fat-soluble. Vitamin C and the B complex group are water-soluble and can easily enter the bloodstream with water. Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble. That means they can only enter the bloodstream to carry out their functions if they are dissolved in dietary fat, like that found in a meal. An Italian study published by the American Heart Association in 2001 showed that subjects who took vitamin E for two weeks on an empty stomach increased their vitamin E concentration in blood little or not at all, compared to an 84 percent increase in subjects who took the vitamin E supplement during dinner. So unless we prefer vitaminwater to wine with our meal, vitamins A and E will pass largely unused into our city’s septic system.

Even if we were to absorb all the vitamins, vitaminwater might have trouble living up to its image as a salubrious alternative to sugary soft drinks: Each bottle of vitaminwater contains 32.5grams, or two heaping tablespoons, of crystalline fructose. Fructose is a simple sugar that sweetens many fruits, although the crystalline fructose in vitaminwater is produced from cornstarch , not fruit, by crystallizing the fructose in fructose-enriched corn syrups. As one would expect, nobody needs these extra sugars, according to Nestle, the NYU nutritionist. One research team has even indicated that the intense sweetness of sugary drinks may be addictive.

“The way that vitaminwater is marketed and positioned it’s made to look more healthful than other sugary beverages, but it’s not – it’s still just a soft drink,” said Margo G. Wootan, Director of Nutrition Policy at the Center for  Science in the Public interest. “It has this aura of healthfulness that is not deserved. Adding vitamins and minerals to junk food doesn’t make it healthy.”

About 35 percent of Americans are now considered medically obese. Two-thirds of Americans are overweight. Health experts tend to disagree about almost everything, but they all concur that added sugars play a key role in the obesity epidemic, a problem that now leads to more medical costs than smoking.

A federal judge ruled that Vitaminwater will not, as its labels promise, keep you “healthy as a horse.” Nor will it bring about a “healthy state of physical or mental being”. Instead, Vitaminwater is really just a sugary snack food; non-carbonated fruit coke disguised as a sports drink. Because it’s composed mostly of sugar and not vitamin-laden water, judge John Gleeson held that Vitaminwater’s absurd marketing claims were likely to mislead consumers.

Coke tried to explain away claims like “vitamins + water = all you need” as “only puffery.” The judge disagreed.

“By including the suggestion that the product will “keep you healthy” or “help bring about a healthy state of physical and mental being” alongside such statements, the quoted language implies that the nutrient content of vitaminwater may help consumers maintain healthy dietary practices. I conclude, therefore, in light of the language and context in which they are used, that the statements on the “defense” and “B- Relaxed” labels constitute implied

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.

People do not realize what vitamins can do for them. Vitamins are great for those who need them. On the other hand, if you have sufficient vitamins, then you will not need regimens of vitamins. Building vitamins in your system, which has too much already, or sufficient nutrients can cause harm. Vitamins will make you look younger and feel younger as well as make you feel good about yourself, providing you need regimens suited for your system.

How do I learn what vitamins are good for me?

We get natural vitamins in the foods we eat. Some times, you do not get the right amount so you have to take vitamins, which come in many ways. You can get them in a pill form, liquid, powder, etc. If the vitamins you choose do not work for you, your doctor can give you a shot. You can get almost all the vitamins you may need at local drug stores. You will find vitamins at supermarkets, department stores and so on. If you cannot determine which vitamins are right for you, check with your doctor. He may have some recommendations. In fact, you should visit your family doctor first and ask him/her, which vitamins may be suitable for your body type.

How vitamins help you:

Taking vitamins will help you to relieve stress. Vitamins will help control your weight, and help keep you from getting sick with the common cold and the flu. There are many vitamins to help you out. You can check out at your local pharmacy many different kinds. You pharmacist is your best friend as well as your doctor. He/she may be able to help you find out which vitamins are best suited for your body type.

What kinds of vitamins should I consider and for what purpose?

You have a wide array of vitamins to choose from, including B1, B12, B6, E, D, K, A, and so on. B1 is designed to help your heart function in order. The vitamin will assist your central nervous system as well, helping you to have a better attitude in life. B1 will give you energy, since it is known to swap blood sugar, transferring it to energy. B1 promotes a healthy mucous membrane, and will promote the muscular and cardio functions.

How to decide if you need vitamins:

Some things that you may feel if you are low on vitamins are fatigue. You may feel muscle tenderness, or experience insomnia. Insomnia can benefit from Melatonin supplements. You can get natural vitamins from corn breads, nuts, oatmeal, cereal, wheat and so on. Eat plenty of veggies and fruits also to get the vitamins you need.

If you have colds, you can benefit from Vitamin C. If you are searching for anti-aging vitamins consider E, since According to experts, Vitamin E is responsible for preserving oxygen in the blood, reduce more than 40% of the oxygen amount the heart needs as well. Vitamin E also has been linked to influential anti-coagulants. Some experts believe the vitamin will slow blood clotting by dilating the blood vessels. If you searching for the vitamin to help you stay young and healthy, then Vitamin E that contains 200 units is for you. 

According to German experts Wolf and Luczak Vitamin E is a stabilizer for youth and strong blood. If this is true, then dying cells will be replaced quickly by new cells. Dying cells is responsible for many diseases, including cancer, AIDS, HIV, leukemia and so on. In fact, T-Cells that deteriorate is responsible for AIDS, certain types of cancers, herpes simplex, and so on.

Taking vitamins has long been considered as a prerequisite to good health. In fact, health experts are in agreement, that these organic molecules are needed to be taken by the human body in minute quantities, to ensure proper health. According to these experts, a person deprived of a particular vitamin would eventually exhibit disease symptoms particular to the said vitamin.

The importance of vitamins for good health is a fact well known to everybody. Even children at the primary school level are well aware of this because they are being educated on the importance of vitamins for their body. But while everybody knows how important vitamins are, not everybody knows where to get them. In fact, many believe that the only source of vitamins is the medicine bottle.

Vitamins, however, are not limited to those that are sold on drug stores as food supplements. In fact, vitamins do exist naturally. To give more light on this topic, it may be better if we give you first a background on the basic types of vitamins available today.

The Basic Types of Vitamins Available in the Market

There are three general types of vitamins being sold in the market today. These three types are the natural vitamins, crystalline vitamins, and synthetic vitamins.

• Natural Vitamins

Natural vitamins are those vitamins that can readily be found in natural foods. If processed into a commercial food supplement, the vitamin must have all of its components intact, including its enzymes, co-enzymes, minerals, mineral activators, and co-vitamin helpers.

• Crystalline Vitamins

Crystalline vitamins are those vitamins that are extracted from natural food sources but were already treated with various high-powered chemicals, solvents, heat and distillations to separate the specific vitamin from all other synergistic components attached to it. As such, these vitamins have a very simple structure compared to the complex structure of natural vitamins.

• Synthetic Vitamins

Synthetic vitamins are those vitamins that were chemically formed in laboratories by scientists. While they are not derived from any natural source, the structure of these vitamins would usually resemble that of their crystalline counterparts.

As you can see, vitamins are not limited to those found on drug stores and medicine bottles. In this article, we’ll concentrate on those vitamins that can be found on natural food sources—the natural vitamin supplements.

Natural Vitamin Supplements

According to studies, our body needs 13 vitamins for proper bodily functions. These vitamins are composed of the vitamins A, C, D, E, K and the B vitamins. The B vitamins, on the other hand, are composed of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folate.

Now, all these vitamins are available in drug stores in various concentrations. However, all of these 13 vitamins can also be found on natural food sources. In fact, a person having a variety of foods in his diet must already be taking minute amounts of these vitamins everyday. And as have previously been said, only a minute amount of all these vitamins are needed by the body to function properly.

So if you are interested on keeping your health at its prime, then you can bank on the natural vitamins that nature has to offer. Here is a list of the food sources from which you can extract natural vitamin supplements:

1. Vitamin A

Vitamin A can be found from meat sources and dairy products like milk, cheese, cream, liver, kidney, and cod liver. But since all of these are high cholesterol products, you may want to try getting vitamin A from its precursor, beta-carotene. Common sources of beta carotene are raw carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, cantaloupe, spinach, mango, broccoli and other red- or yellow-skinned fruits and vegetables.

2. Vitamin B1 (thiamine)

Common sources of thiamine are fortified breads, cereals, pasta, whole grains, lean meats, fish, peas and dried beans. Some dairy products, fruits and vegetables are also rich in vitamin B1.

3. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)

Dairy products like milk and yogurt are the primary sources of riboflavin. Other sources are chicken meat, green and leafy vegetables, fruits and almonds.

4. Vitamin B3 (niacin)

Food products that are rich in niacin include dairy products, poultry, fish, lean meats, nuts and eggs. Some legumes and cereals also contain traces of niacin.

5. Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)

Vitamin B5 rich foods would include, fish, dairy products, poultry, lean beef, yeast and vegetables in the cabbage family. Also rich in vitamin B5 are white and sweet potatoes as well as peanuts and peas.

6. Vitamin B6 (pyroxidine)

Fruits like bananas, watermelons and tomatoes are known sources of vitamin B6. Other common sources are chicken, broccoli, spinach, potatoes, white rice, peanuts, oats and fortified cereals.

7. Vitamin B12

Meat, poultry, fish, shellfish and dairy products comprise the rich sources for vitamin B12.

8. Folate

Green and leafy vegetables are the largest source of folates, although this vitamin can also be found on tomato juice, peas, wheat germ, oranges and mushrooms.

9. Vitamin C

The most common sources of vitamin C are the citrus fruits and their juices like strawberry, melon, cranberry, grapefruit and others. Most other fruits and vegetables also contain small amounts of vitamin C.

10. Vitamin D

The largest sources of vitamin D are dairy products, poultry, and cereals. Aside from these food sources, the body also synthesizes vitamin D when the skin is exposed to the heat of the sun.

11. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is mostly derived from plant oils and products made from it, like margarine and mayonnaise. Other sources include peanuts, whole grains, wheat germ, corn, nuts, olives, spinach and other green and leafy vegetables.

12. Vitamin K

Leafy and green vegetables like cabbage and spinach are the primary source of Vitamin K. Other sources include soybeans, cereals, fruits, beets, potatoes, dairy products, meat products and poultry. Bacteria found in the stomach and in the intestines can also synthesize vitamin K.

Most people do not like to take any kind of medicines on a daily basis. They do not care that the medications will help them or not. They just do not like to take even an aspirin for a headache. So why would these people want to take vitamins. Well taking vitamins well help you in the long run. You get some of the vitamins you need in the foods you eat yet some people need more then others. That is why you can buy one vitamin and it covers all the vitamins you need in one pill. Therefore, you do not have to take a hand full of pills.

How will vitamins help me? Taking vitamins will help you with many things like your vision, blood pressure, your moods swings, if you have diabetes vitamins can help, your nervous system, etc. If you think you might feel better is it not worth taking a vitamin. Vitamins will also help to strengthen your heart, immune system and boost your metabolism. The metabolite vitamins are available if you feel energy-less.

How do I know if I need a vitamin? Your body gives you clear indications when something is wrong. If your body is telling you that something is wrong, you should visit your doctor. In fact, before you take a vitamin you should talk to your doctor first. Your doctor will know what nutrients you are missing. Our body has a natural mechanism that alerts us when something is wrong. Learn to pay attention to your body and mind. Unfortunately, this world desensitizes us to the point we fail to listen to our body.

About Vitamins: Vitamin B1 is a water-soluble vitamin. The vitamin works to control sweat, urine, and solid waste. The vitamin affects the nervous system as well as your mental attitude. It can keep your heart work properly and helps with your nervous system. If you feel fatigue, experience muscle tenderness, or have difficulty sleeping, B1 is for you. You can get this vitamin from foods also, such as oatmeal, corn breads, beans, pork chops, etc.

Vitamins will help boost your energy also. If you lack sufficient vitamins, you will start to have problems. The problems may include dry skin. Your skin may feel rough, or you may see thick corneal about the eyes. You may experience joint pain also. Vitamin deficiency can cause many complications.

Vitamins are a great source of nutrients and energy, yet you want the FDA approved supplements. You can also choose foods, such as crab meats, watermelon, fish oils, and so forth to get the vitamins you need. Veggies and fruits provide us a great source of natural vitamins. If you have skin and scalp problems, you may want to consider Biotin. Biotin is great for restoring hair, treating scalp conditions, or enhancing skin. The vitamin is said to slow balding or thinning of hair.

Why do I need to see a doctor before taking a vitamin? Before you, start taking any kind of a daily vitamin you should talk to your doctor first. Some of the things that you are seeing you may think that they are from not having the right vitamin in your diet but it could also mean something else are wrong with you. Your condition may need attention from a doctor.

So just to make sure it is ok, you should take a trip to your family doctor and have a talk with him or her. You can buy your vitamins at the local stores in your town once your doctor gives you approval.

The year was 2002 when the American Medical Association (AMA) reversed its stance regarding the use of vitamin supplements and advised every American to take at least one multi-vitamin a day! For the previous 20 years, the AMA had promoted an official anti-vitamin-supplement policy and offered their scorn to those who suggested that vitamin supplementation offered any health benefits.

Their 2002 announcement was vindication for the many health professionals who had advocated the use of vitamin supplements while for years enduring the criticism of the U.S. health establishment. Finally, the AMA was admitting that the American diet alone does not provide adequate nutrition for optimum health. However, their announcement stopped short of explaining what the true role of vitamin supplements should be.

Vitamin Amounts – How Much Is Enough?

Data compiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture revealed that a minimum of 40% of the American population consumes a diet that provides only 60% of the RDA of ten selected nutrients. This means that half (maybe more) of the U.S. population has a deficiency of at least one vitamin. Now, this by itself sounds startling, but consider this.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration established the RDAs to give guidance for the avoidance of the symptoms of deficiency diseases. For example, the RDA of 60 mg. for vitamin C is the daily amount needed to avoid the symptoms of diseases like beriberi or scurvy. The RDA of 60 mg. is not the amount of vitamin C needed for optimal bodily function. Health professionals routinely recommend a minimum daily intake of 1,000 mg. of vitamin C and 3,000 – 5,000 mg. daily is common.

The RDA for vitamin B-1 is 1.5 mg.; amounts of 50 – 100 mg. daily are recommended by health professionals. The RDA for vitamin B-6 is 2 mg.; amounts of 50 – 100 mg daily are recommended. The RDA for vitamin B-12 is 6 mcg.; amounts of 200 – 400 mcg. daily are recommended.

A similar finding is true for all the RDA amounts established for vitamins and mineral supplements. This means that an ordinary OTC “multi-vitamin” promoting the old RDAs will offer only minimal benefits. When you select a multiple-vitamins supplement, you will want to choose one that offers a high enough daily dosage to provide nutrient amounts that enable good health.

Before using any supplements, you should consult with your doctor or health care professional, but here is a partial list of nutrient amounts you can use as a guide: Vitamin A (5,000 to 10,000 I.U.), Vitamin B-1 (50 – 100 mg.), Vitamin B-2 (15 – 50 mg.), Vitamin B-3 (15 – 50 mg.), Vitamin B-5 (50 – 100 mg.), Vitamin B-6 (50 – 100 mg.), Vitamin B-12 (200 – 400 mcg.), Biotin (400 – 800 mcg.), Choline (50 – 200 mg.), Folic Acid (400 – 800 mcg.), Inositol (50 – 200 mg.), PABA (10 50 mg.), Vitamin C (1,000 – 3,000 mg.), Vitamin D-3 (400 I.U.), Vitamin E (200 – 400 I.U.), Vitamin K (100 – 500 mcg.).

Natural Vitamins or Synthetic?

You will find that vitamin supplements are divided into two groups: synthetic and natural. The synthetic vitamins are produced in laboratories from isolated chemicals and mirror their counterparts found in nature.

Natural vitamins are derived from food sources. Chemically, there may be no difference, but synthetic vitamins contain only the isolated vitamin while natural supplements may contain other synergistic nutrients not yet discovered.

Generally, it is believed that synthetic and natural vitamins perform the same, but two noted exceptions are vitamins D and E. The synthetic forms are different than their natural counterparts. Most health care professionals recommend only the natural forms of these two vitamins. Natural vitamin D is identified as Vitamin D-3 and Natural Vitamin E is identified as d-alpha (not dl-alpha) tocopherol.

Synthetic supplements may also contain coal tars, artificial coloring, preservatives, sugars, and starch and other harmful additives. You should also be aware that a supplement may be labeled “natural” and still have these harmful additives. Read labels carefully.

Vitamins found in nature do not exist in free form. They are protein-bonded. Nutritional studies have revealed that protein-bonded vitamins, such as found in whole food supplements, are best absorbed, utilized and retained in body tissues better than vitamins that are not protein-bonded. Vitamins and minerals found in food are bonded to proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and bioflavonoids. Chemically derived vitamins are not protein-bonded.

What About Minerals?

Excesses of isolated vitamins or minerals can cause the same symptoms as the deficiency of vitamins or minerals. Therefore, having the correct balance of vitamins and minerals is very important.

It is best to select a broad spectrum multi-vitamins / minerals supplement because there is a cooperative action between certain vitamins and minerals. For example, the following shows the relationship between a listed vitamin and the nutrient(s) required for assimilation: Vitamin A (plus choline, essential fatty acids, vitamin C, D and E), Vitamin B complex (plus calcium, vitamin C and E), Vitamin B6 (plus potassium, vitamin B complex, vitamin C). You can buy the vitamin and supplement from Pharmas

Vitamin B1 – Vitamin B1 is also referred to as Thiamine, and is a water soluble vitamin that is essential for healthy neural function, and metabolism of carbohydrates. The result of a thiamin deficiency in most cases is Beriberi, which is a disease of the nerves and the heart. Less severe deficiencies may result in weight loss, confusion, irritability and malaise. Vitamin B1 can be found in small dosages in many whole food sources including peas, asparagus, cauliflower, yeast, brown rice, oranges, pork, eggs and potatoes.

Vitamin B2 – Vitamin B2 is also referred to as Riboflavin, and is an easily absorbed vitamin that plays a key rule in maintaining overall health. Vitamin B2 is required for many cellular processes within the body including the metabolism of energy, fats, carbohydrates, proteins and ketone bodies. Popular sources for Vitamin B2 include milk, cheese, liver, legumes, yeast, almonds, rock lobsters and soybeans. Riboflavin is easily destroyed by exposure to light, making it difficult to obtain this vitamin through whole food sources.

Vitamin B3 – Vitamin B3 is also referred to as Niacin, and is an organic compound that is a derivative of pyridine and plays an essential role in the metabolic process of living cells. Vitamin B3 or Niacin is especially important in relation to the detoxification of xenochemicals, along with the repair of DNA and the production of steroid hormones within the adrenal gland. Vitamin B3 can be found in numerous whole food sources, including animal products like fish, salmon, milk and eggs, fruits and vegetables such as carrots, dates, avocados and broccoli, seeds, nuts and whole grain products and some fungi, including brewer’s yeast and mushrooms.

Vitamin B5 – Vitamin B5 is also referred to as Pantothenic Acid, and is a water soluble vitamin that is an essential nutrient to sustain life. Vitamin B5 is critical when it comes to the synthesis and metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Vitamin B5 can be found in a wide variety of different whole food sources, which is where it derives its name which is from the Greek word “pantothen” for “from everywhere”. Pantothenic Acid, or Vitamin B5 can be found in high amounts in whole grain cereals, eggs, meat, royal jelly and legumes.

Vitamin B6 – Vitamin B6 is also referred to as Pyridoxine, although there are two other compounds that are commonly referred to as Vitamin B6; Pyridoxal and Pyridoxamine. Vitamin B6 is best known for its ability to balance the sodium and potassium in the body, and it also promotes the production of red blood cells. The most popular source for Pyridoxine is dragon fruit, which comes from South East Asia.

Vitamin B7 – Vitamin B7 is also referred to as Vitamin H or Biotin, and is a water soluble vitamin that plays a role in the metabolism of leucine and fatty acids, and in the process of gluconeogenesis. Biotin can be found in a myriad of different whole food sources, though normally in low concentrations. Royal jelly and brewer’s yeast are the greatest sources for Vitamin B7, though this vitamin is also found in oilseed meals, dried yeasts, alfalfa, milk, liver, egg and some vegetables as well.

Vitamin B9 – Vitamin B9 is also referred to as Vitamin M, Vitamin B-c or Folic Acid, and is most known as sourcing from green leafy vegetables which is where this vitamin gets its name. Folic acid, or Folate, can be found in green leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuces and turnip greens, and also in dried beans, fortified cereals, sunflower seeds, peas, and some other fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin B12 – Vitamin B12 is also referred to as Cobalamin, and is vital in the normal functioning of the nervous system and the brain, and also the normal formation of the blood in the body. Vitamin B-12 plays a part in the metabolism of the cells in the body, including their regulation and synthesis, as well as the synthesis and energy production of fatty acids as well. The natural, whole food source of Vitamin B-12 both for humans and animals is other animal products, including meat, eggs and milk products.

Vitamins (combination of two words: Vital Amines) are the complex organic substance essential in small quantities to the metabolism (nutrition) in most animals. These are found in minute quantities in food, in some cases are produced by the body, and are also produced synthetically. The human body needs them to work properly, so that we can grow and develop just like we should. Their deficiency results in many serious disorders.

Vitamins are divided into two major groups: the ‘fat-soluble vitamins’ designated as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K, and the ‘water-soluble vitamins’ which include vitamin C and the group of molecules referred to as the vitamin B complex. Each of them has its own special role in the development of human body.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin, plays a really big part in eyesight and helps us to see in dim light and also at night. Vitamin A is also involved in the formation and maintenance of healthy skin, hair, and mucous membranes. In addition, it is necessary for proper bone growth, tooth development, reproduction and for the development of epithelial cells (that line any opening to the body e.g.; nose, throat, lungs, mouth, stomach, intestines and urinary tract). Vitamin A can be found in eggs, milk, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, fish oil, liver (pork, lamb, chicken, turkey or beef), butter, broccoli, apricots, nectarines, cantaloupe, and orange or yellow vegetables or fruits. The deficiency of vitamin A can cause two major disorders like: night blindness and drying of skin.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B itself is a complex of different vitamins like: B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, biotin and pantothenic acid. These B vitamins are very important in metabolic activity and in facilitating the red blood cell (which carry oxygen throughout your body). They also help your body make protein and energy.

The sources of vitamin B are leafy green vegetables seafood, beans, peas, citrus fruits, whole grains (such as wheat and oats), poultry, meats, eggs and dairy products (like milk and yogurt). Some bacteria in our large intestine also prepare some type of B-vitamins. The deficiency of vitamin B can cause the disease “Beri Beri”, cracked lips, weak muscles, malformation of red blood cells, affects normal growth and disturbs the nervous system.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a water-soluble, antioxidant vitamin that is vital to the production of collagen, a protein that gives structure to bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels. It is important for keeping body tissues, such as gums and muscles in good shape and it helps in quick healing of wounds. In addition, it helps protecting the fat-soluble vitamins A and E as well as fatty acids from oxidation.

The vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits (like lemon & orange), cantaloupe, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage and in other fresh fruits and vegetables. The deficiency of vitamin C affects the healthy skin; poor wound healing and can lead to a disease called “Scurvy” which causes bleeding in gums, easy bruising, bumps of coiled hair on the arms and legs, pain in the joints, muscle wasting, and many other problems.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that regulates the formation of bone and the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestine. It helps to control the movement of calcium between bone and blood, and vice versa. It is this vitamin you need for strong bones and teeth. In addition it helps your body absorb the amount of calcium it needs.

Vitamin D can be found in fish liver oil, egg yolks, milk and other dairy products fortified with vitamin D. It is also produced in our body in the presence of ultra violet light and sunlight.

The deficiency of vitamin D can cause weak bones and bowed legs (in children). And its excess can cause loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, headache, depression and deposits of calcium in the kidneys.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin, is essential for the inhibition of oxidation in body tissues, formation of red blood cells, and also prevents breakdown of body tissues. It maintains the body tissues and protects the lungs from becoming damaged by polluted air. This vitamin can be found in whole grains (such as wheat and oat), wheat germ, leafy green vegetables, sardines, egg yolks, nuts, bread, cereals and seeds. The deficiency of this vitamin can cause many diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Human need vitamins and he get it from their food which they eat regularly. Vitamins are mixture of chemical which we get in small amount from our daily diet. If we any vitamin in our body then we have suffer from the deficiency disease. Vitamins which we take through food, some are fat- soluble and other is water-soluble. The ability to dissolve vitamins in body temperature with other substance can well manage by a human body.

Here are some fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A, D, E and K. They are found in foods which contain fats and oil.

Vitamin A: – Vitamin A can be obtained by eating dairy products, liver oils, green vegetables etc. They help in growth and development of cells. Its deficiency causes skin problem.

Vitamin D: – Vitamin D can be obtained by eating dairy product, fish, eggs, sunlight etc. It helps in growth and development of your teeth and bones. Its deficiency causes teeth and bones related problems.

Vitamin E: – Vitamin E can be obtained by eating green leaves, dairy product, wheat oil etc. It acts as antioxidant in our body. Its deficiency may harm your nervous system and you also have genetic problem.

Vitamin K: – Vitamin K can be obtained by eating green vegetables, sprouts, milk etc.

A part of body’s vitamin K can be obtained by bacteria which are living in intestine and it also play main role in blood clotting. Its deficiency may affect your new born child and also lack of Vitamin K can’t stop your blood if you are injured.

Now water-soluble vitamins like Vitamin C and B. They are soluble in water. But can’t be store in human body and it removes by way of urine.

Vitamin C: – Vitamin C can be obtained by eating green vegetables, critic foods etc. Its deficiency causes scurvy. Signs of scurvy are laziness, feeling pain in muscle, joints and legs.

Vitamin B: – Vitamin B can be obtained by eating dairy products, green vegetables, eggs etc. Its deficiency affects skin, problem in brain, spinal cords and also nerves.

Here is a list of Vitamin B Complex:

Vitamin B1 or Thiamine
Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin
Vitamin B3 or Niacin
Vitamin B4 or adenine
Vitamin B5 or Pantethine
Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxamine
Vitamin B7 or Biotin known as Vitamin H
Vitamin B8 or Myo-inositol
Vitamin B9 or Folic acid
Vitamin B10 or para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)
Vitamin B11 or Pteryl-hepta-glutamic acid
Vitamin B12 or Cobalamin
Vitamin B13 or Orotic acid
Vitamin B14 or Earl R. Norris
Vitamin B15 or Pangamic acid
Vitamin B16 or Dimethylglycine
Vitamin B17 or Amygdalin
Vitamin B18
Vitamin B19
Vitamin B20 or Carnitine
Vitamin B21
Vitamin B22 or Aloe Vera
Vitamin Bh or Biotin
Vitamin Bm or Inositol
Vitamin Bp or Choline
Vitamin Bt or L-Carnitine
Vitamin Bv
Vitamin Bw
Vitamin Bx
Lipoic Acid

Regular intake of Vitamins Make your body healthier and perfect. So take vitamin in proper amount to decrease the deficiency of Vitamin in your body. It makes your body free from diseases and your body health good.

Many women are either confused about what to look for in fertility vitamins or they don’t see the need to take vitamins at all. Let me take some time to explain why vitamin supplements are necessary in order to increase your fertility as well as why prenatal vitamins are necessary prior to and during pregnancy for you and your unborn child. Most women don’t get the vitamins and minerals needed from the food they eat from day to day. We would have to eat a whole lot of fruits, vegetables, meats, and grains in order to get the balance of vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to thrive and be our healthiest.

Women’s vitamins are especially important when a woman is trying to conceive and during pregnancy. These are specifically called prenatal vitamins.

Prenatal vitamins supply a rich assortment of vitamins and minerals to help a woman conceive and bring forth a healthy baby. These vitamins and minerals are necessary to help keep our hormones balanced and our nervous system running smoothly as well as keeping all our organs functioning optimally.

Let me stress – We all need to take a multivitamin and multi mineral supplement to make up for what is lacking in the food we eat. Even the best diet in the world will not give you all the nutrients you need for your best chance at getting pregnant and bringing forth an optimally healthy child.

So what do you look for? What are the qualities of the best fertility vitamins and prenatal vitamin supplements?

Well, I’m no expert. But I can tell you what I took that helped me to be more fertile and energetic and have a trouble-free pregnancy. I looked into several prenatal vitamins before choosing what I believe to be the best multi vitamin supplement that’s all natural and made from organically-grown plant compounds (see below). The other prenatal vitamins were synthetically made with artificial coloring.

I also ate lots of fruits and vegetables and drank a lot of purified water. (See my Preconception page for more on this.) Make sure your multivitamin has at least 400 mcg of folic acid (I took 800 mcg daily) in order to prevent neural tube defects in your unborn baby. This neural tube develops within the first month of life, so it’s important to get enough folic acid before you get pregnant.

* Remember that even the best multi vitamin supplement won’t replace eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, grains, meats, and drinking lots of purified water. Both a healthy diet and a great multi vitamin supplement are needed to increase your fertility and ensure that you have a healthy pregnancy.