Holly asked:


I bought some “lozenges” that are suppose to help you from getting sick. They have vitamin C and Zinc in them. The box says to let them dissolve in your mouth but they are nasty tasting. Is it really going to make a difference if I just chew it up and wash it down with some water?

Olivia

BeautyGirl asked:


I have been taking Omega 3 and Calcium supplements everyday. I was wondering what others could provide me to feel healthier naturally and maybe help me in my daily performances.

Daniel

Tom alter asked:


Vitamin C is a water-soluble, antioxidant vitamin. It is important for the formation of collagen - a protein that gives structure to bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels. Vitamin C also aids in the absorption of iron, and helps maintain capillaries, bones, and teeth.

Vitamin C is also known as, ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid, the antiscorbutic vitamin, L-xyloascorbic acid. This vitamin is considered a cure-all for many diseases and problems - from cancer to common cold.

Yet, the interesting fact is that this miracle vitamin cannot be manufactured by the body, and needs to be ingested.

Benefits of Vitamin C -

« Vitamin C serves a predominantly protective role in the body.

« Vitamin C is required in the synthesis of collagen in connective tissue, steroid hormones, conversion of cholesterol to bile acids.

« It is a great antioxidant and helps protect the body against pollutants.

« It assists in the prevention of blood clotting and bruising, and strengthening the walls of the capillaries.

« As vitamin C is a biological reducing agent, it is also helps prevention of degenerative diseases - such as cataracts, certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases.

« Ascorbic acid promotes healthy cell development, proper calcium absorption, normal tissue growth and repair - such as healing of wounds and burns.

« Vitamin C is needed for healthy gums, to help protect against infection, helps reduce cholesterol level, high blood pressure and prevents arteriosclerosis.

What does deficiency of vitamin C lead to?

When there is a deficiency of vitamin C in the body, various problems can arise.

A shortage of vitamin C may result in hemorrhages under the skin and a tendency to bruise easily, poor wound healing, weakness, poor digestion, bleeding gums and loose teeth.

Low levels of vitamin C have been associated with a variety of conditions including hypertension, gallbladder disease, stroke, some cancers.

Edema (water retention) also takes place due to a shortage of vitamin C, along with painful joints, bronchial infection and colds.

Scurvy is the only disease that is treated with vitamin C.

Dosage

During the therapeutic use of this vitamin, the dosage is usually increased significantly, but the toxicity level must be kept in mind.

The average (Recommended dietary allowance) RDA is 60-80mg, per day.

For adolescents it is 80 mg, 75 mg for adults, 100 mg during pregnancy and 150 mg during lactation.

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin C is 60 to 90 milligrams per day. Men should consume more vitamin C than women and individuals who smoke cigarettes are encouraged to consume 35 more mg of vitamin C than average adults. This is because smoking depletes vitamin C levels in the body and is a catalyst for biological processes, which damage cells.

What are deficiency symptoms of vitamin C in a person?

Symptoms of scurvy, the vitamin C deficiency disease include –

« Bleeding gums (gingivitis) and skin discolouration due to ruptured blood vessels.

« Poor wound healing.

« Weak immune function, including vulnerability to cold and other infections.

Sources of vitamin C -

Eating a variety of foods that contain vitamin C is the best way to get the required amount each day.

Healthy individuals who eat a balanced diet do not need Vitamin C supplements.

Since the body does not produce vitamin C, it must be obtained from fruits and vegetables. Some excellent sources of vitamin C are oranges, olives, guava, green peppers, watermelon, papaya, strawberry, kiwi fruit, mango, broccoli, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, and citrus juices or juices fortified with Vitamin C.

Amla or the Indian gooseberry is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C, whether fresh or the dried, powdered form.

Raw and cooked leafy greens (turnip, spinach), red and green peppers, fresh tomatoes, potatoes, pineapple are also rich sources of Vitamin C.

Vitamin C is sensitive to light, air, and heat, so it is best to eat fruits and vegetables raw, or minimally cooked in order to retain their full vitamin C content.

How to prepare and store foods to retain vitamin C -

Vitamin C can be lost from foods during preparation, cooking, or storage. To prevent loss of vitamin C:

· Serve fruits and vegetables raw whenever possible.

· Steam, boil, or cook foods in a very small amount of water, or microwave them for the shortest time possible.

· Cook potatoes in their skins. Be sure to wash off the dirt on the outside of the potato.

· Refrigerate prepared juices and store them for no more than two to three days.

· Store cut and raw fruits, vegetables in an airtight container and refrigerate - do not soak or store in water. Vitamin C gets dissolved in the water.

Consumption of vitamin C rich foods in their fresh, raw form is the best way to maximize vitamin C intake.



Karen

Mach10 asked:


I lift 5X a week. I am going to Florida for a week for Spring Break. I am going to bring my protein with me. I was wondering what other supplements are beneficial on “off” weeks to keep the muscle preserved and charged?

Richard

T asked:


My son is a type 1 diabetic and I wondered if there were good supplements to take to help regulate his blood sugars? Since he’s going through puberty, his sugars are erratic.

Jacqueline

Jake Saab asked:


Loss of hair, or baldness, is the result of not having enough vitamin B supplements. Vitamin B is very important, as it contains B3 niacin, which is very important for growing hair. Vitamin B6 is another important vitamin, containing nutrients such as sulfur, biotin, magnesium, and zinc. Without these vitamins, your body won’t be able to grow hair as much, which commonly results in balding or hair loss as we get older.

What many people fail to realize, is the importance of vitamin B. Research has shown in the past that vitamin B is very important to hair growth. Men who consume foods that are rich in vitamin B are less likely to experience hair loss. Vitamin B is an essential vitamin, and also one that enriches the overall quality and thickness of hair. 

Vitamin A is also important with hair growth. To get the proper amount of vitamin A, you should consume fatty acids. Some examples include flaxseed oil, primrose, and salmon oil. If you consume these types of fatty acids, you’ll get the right amount of vitamin A that is needed to enhance the growth of your hair. If you are worried about hair loss, you should make sure that you are getting enough vitamin A and vitamin B.

Vitamin E is also important for hair growth, as it stimulates your intake of oxygen and helps to improve your blood circulation as well. If your blood is circulating properly, then the growth of your hair will be enhanced. The proper circulation of blood is very important with hair growth, as the blood is what helps your hair to grow, and the necessary vitamins to flow through your body.

Another necessary vitamin for hair growth is biotin. You can find this essential source in rice, green peas, soybeans, oats, yeast, walnuts, and sunflower seeds. It is also found with some types of shampoos as well. If you are using shampoo that contains biotin, you’ll be getting into your root tips faster, which will help to promote the growth of your hair. Even though you may be using shampoo that contains biotin, you’ll still need to take the necessary vitamins and supplements as well.

Before you take any vitamins or supplements, you should always consult with your doctor and get his opinion. There may be some vitamins and supplements that you shouldn’t be taking, which is why you should always consult with your doctor before you make any decision. Your doctor will be able to run tests and go through your history with you, letting you know what you can and can’t take. This way, you can choose your vitamin supplements accordingly - and know without a doubt that there will be no long term side effects or problems.



Wesley

~ * Junk In Da Trunk *~ asked:


I have a dog treat recipe and want to know how much vitamin E do I put inside?
I will be using it as a preservative

Darren

dr rony asked:


Vitamins are a group of organic food substances or nutrients that further found only in living things, plants and animals. Vitamins are totally divided into two classes based on their solubility. These fat-soluble vitamins include vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin A, and vitamin K. The water-soluble vitamins are such folate (folic acid), vitamin B12, biotin, vitamin B6, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Fat-soluble vitamins those contain only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen while water-soluble vitamins although contain these three elements plus nitrogen and some-times sulfur. Fat-soluble vitamins those can be stored in appreciable amounts in the body and the water-soluble vitamins such cannot be stored in the body. Vitamins are actual necessary in small amounts for normal metabolism and good health. Vitamins and minerals have no calories and so are not an energy source, but assist in to metabolizing nutrients in food and are important in keeping your body running smoothly. Vitamins make it much more possible for other nutrients to be digested, absorbed and then metabolized by the body. Vitamins are often referred to as the “spark plugs” of our human machine. They are so required to do many things and their excess or depletion can lead to acute and chronic disease. Functions of vitamins in human body ________________________________________ Vitamins promote the regular growth, and to provide a proper metabolism, and ensure good health and protect against the such certain diseases. Vitamin is often required by the body in such a small amounts for metabolism, to protect health, and also for proper growth in children. Vitamins consequently assist in the formation of hormones, blood cells, also for nervous-system chemicals, and genetic material. Vitamins mostly serve as the catalysts for certain reactions in the body. They combine with the proteins to create metabolically active enzymes that in turn produce hundreds of vital chemical reactions during the body. There end we would no longer be able to survive. Vitamins help to get properly regulate the metabolism, also help to convert fat and carbohydrates into energy, and then assist in the forming bone and tissue. Fat soluble vitamins ________________________________________ Vitamin A - Vitamin A is the major collective name for a group of fat-soluble vitamins. The actual most useable form of the vitamin is retinol. Vitamin A is also one of the most versatile vitamins, with roles in such diverse functions those as vision, immune defenses, maintenance of the body linings and skin, bone and body growth, also for normal cell development, and then reproduction . Vitamin D - Vitamin D in fact refers to a group of steroid molecules. Vitamin D is called the sunlight vitamin and because the body produces it when the sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays strike the skin. Vitamin D is also important for the proper absorption of calcium from food. Vitamin E - Vitamin E is in fact an umbrella term for a group of compounds called tocopherols and tocotrienols. Alpha-tocopherol is the name of the most active form of vitamin E in therefore humans. Vitamin K - Vitamin K is a more versatile group of 2-methilo-naphthoquinone derivatives. Vitamin K is therefore involved in the carboxylation of certain glutamate residues in the proteins to form gamma-carboxyglutamate residues. Water soluble vitamins ________________________________________ Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - Vitamin b1 is totally essential to several bodily functionsVitamin B1 is more essential for the body to be able to use carbohydrate as an energy source and as well as for metabolising amino acids. Thiamin is further available in nutritional supplements in the form of thiamin hydrochloride and thiamin nitrate. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - Riboflavin or vitamin B2 is an essential nutrient in human nutrition and plays a key role in the production of energy. Vitamin B2 is an intermediary the transfer of electrons in the cellular oxidation-reduction reactions which generate energy from protein, carbohydrate and fat. Vitamin B2 helps prevent and is used to treat migraine headaches, cataracts, rheumatoid arthritis, and a number of skin disorders such as acne (acne rosacea), dermatitis, and eczema. Vitamin B3 (niacin) - Vitamin B3 is also known as niacin, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, niacinamide and antipellagra vitamin or PP factor. Vitamin B3 is essential in the metabolism of carbohydrates (to produce energy), fats, and proteins. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) - Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) serves as coenzyme and is involved in the metabolism of protein and carbohydrates, the production of insulin and red and white blood cells, and the synthesis of neurotransmitters, enzymes, and prostaglandins. Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) - Pantothenic acid is an antioxidant water-soluble vitamin needed to break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Pantothenic acid comes in two forms: calcium pantothenate and pantethine. Biotin (vitamin H, vitamin B7) - Biotin is of great importance for the biochemistry of the human organism. Biotin helps in the synthesis of fatty acids, in energy metabolism, and in the synthesis of amino acids and glucose. Folic acid (folate, vitamin B9) - Folate and folic acid are forms of a water-soluble B vitamin. Folic acid is a synthetic folate form which is used for food fortification and nutritional supplements. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) - Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that is an essential part of life. Vitamin C is perhaps the most popular vitamin among the common nutrients and biochemicals. Vitamin deficiencies and human health ________________________________________ Vitamins are of vital importance in maitaining hunman health. Deficiencies of most of the vitamins will result in corresponding diseases. A deficiency of vitamin A can cause retarded skeletal growth, night blindness, various abnormalities of the skin and linings of the genitourinary system and gastrointestinal tract. Thiamin deficiency can lead to muscular weakness, leg cramps, slow heartbeat, irritability, defective hydrochloric acid production in the stomach and consequent digestive disorders. Riboflavin deficiency can cause inflamed tongue, inflammation and ulcers in the mouth, Dandruff, weakness, abnormal blood vessel growth on the sclerae, and low blood counts. A niacin deficiency often leads to a chronic illness called pellagra. Vitamin B5 deficiency causes depression, personality changes, and heart problems. Vitamin B6 deficiency can cause impaired immunity, skin lesions, and mental confusion.



Bradley

Heather R asked:


I have been working the night audit shift for about six months now and have gained weight, despite NO change in diet. I do NOT get a full 8 hours sleep each day, usually sleeping three to four hours a day. What are some natural supplements I can take to help bring that back under control?

Tim

Tulip asked:


My boyfriend takes supplements for working out and he drinks tons of water. We just wanted to know how long does the supplements stay in his system? He goes to the bathroom a lot and wonders if he just pee’s out the supplements right away?

Javier