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Guide To Buy Vitamins Online
Copyright 2005 Kristy Haugen
Vitamins are merely organic compounds that the body uses for
essential functions. There are two categories of vitamins:
water-soluble and fat-soluble. The body requires nine
water-soluble vitamins. Many of the water soluble vitamins are
precursors for coenzymes for the enzymes of intermediary
metabolism. Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body.
What is not used will be excreted in the urine.
Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for
protein and red blood cell formation. Folic acid is essential
during pregnancy for healthy development of baby's brains and
nervous system. Deficiencies in folic acid during pregnancy lead
to spina bifida and anencephaly. Proper vitamin supplementation
before and during pregnancy can prevent this.
Vitamin B12 also known as cobalamin is an essential
water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin B12 is essential for DNA
synthesis. Vitamin B12 is also part of the red blood cell ring
that carries oxygen. Pernicious anemia is a related to a vitamin
B12 deficiency. Deficiency of vitamin B12 is rarely a result of
the vitamin's absence in the diet. Many who develop pernicious
anemia lack intrinsic factor, which binds to the vitamin for
absorption purposes.
Vitamin C also known as ascorbic acid is an essential
water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin C is required for the maintenance
of normal connective tissue and the formation of collage. This
vitamin can be found in skin care products. Vitamin C increases
the absorption of iron in the diet. Vitamin C is an essential
anti-oxidant (free radical damage). Scurvy is a disease
associated with vitamin C deficiency.
Vitamin B6 known as pyridoxine is also a water-soluble vitamin.
Pyridoxine is essential for protein digestion and utilization.
This vitamin is essential for brain function and hormone
production.
Vitamin B1 known as thiamine is a water-soluble vitamin.
Thiamine plays a key role in energy metabolism of most cells
(ATP), particularly the nervous system. Beriberi and
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome are diseases caused by a severe
thiamine deficiency.
Niacin (vitamin B3) is an essential water-soluble vitamin.
Niacin functions as a precursor to NAD and NADP. Niacin is
essential for energy production, brain function, and healthy
skin. A deficiency in niacin causes pellagra and type IIb
hyperlipoproteinemia. Niacin also helps to lower LDL's in the
blood.
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is a water-soluble vitamin that assists
in turning fats, sugars, and protein into energy. Riboflavin is
needed to repair and maintain healthy skin. Riboflavin also
assists in regulating bodily acidity. There are no diseases
associated with a riboflavin deficiency. However, riboflavin
deficiencies commonly accompany other vitamin deficiencies.
Biotin is an essential water-soluble vitamin that is needed for
healthy childhood development. Biotin helps the body use
essential fats. Biotin promotes healthy skin, hair, and nerves.
Biotin deficiency does not occur naturally because the vitamin
is widely distributed in food.
Pantothenic acid or vitamin B5 is essential for energy
production. Vitamin B5 also controls the body's fat metabolism.
This vitamin helps make antistress hormones (steroids) during
stressful times. Pantothenic acid is essential for a healthy
nervous system. This vitamin helps maintain healthy skin and
hair. Deficiency in this vitamin is not well characterized in
humans and no RDA (recommended dietary allowance) has been
established. The body also requires four fat-soluble
vitamins.
Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed, released, and transported
with the fat of the diet. Fat-soluble vitamins are not readily
excreted in the urine. Because fat-soluble vitamins travel with
fat, significant quantities of these vitamins are stored in
adipose tissue (fat) and the liver.
Vitamin A or retinol is an essential fat-soluble vitamin.
Vitamin A is an anti-oxidant that protects the body from free
radical damage. Vitamin A also protects against many infections.
Vitamin A is essential for vision at night. Those deficient in
vitamin A suffer night blindness. Many who suffer from psoriasis
and acne are effectively treated with retinoic acid or a
derivative. It is possible to become toxic with fat-soluble
vitamins because of how the body stores these vitamins. Toxicity
of vitamin A leads to hypervitaminosis A. Symptoms of this
disorder include dry, pruritic skin; cirrhotic, enlarged liver;
and increased intracranial pressure. Pregnant women should not
take excess of vitamin A due to potential to cause congenital
malformations to the fetus.
Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble vitamin. This vitamin has
hormone like functions. This vitamin helps to maintain strong
and healthy bones by retaining calcium. This is why milk is
usually fortified with vitamin D for increased calcium
absorption. The body also produces vitamin D in the skin when
exposed to sufficient sunlight. A vitamin D deficiency causes a
net demineralization of bone, results in the disorder rickets
(children) and osteomalacia (adults). Other disorders such as
renal rickets and hypoparathyroidism are seen with a vitamin D
deficiency. Like all fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin D can be
stored in the body and is slow metabolized. So there is a risk
for toxicity. Toxic levels can cause nausea, thirst, stupor, and
loss of appetite. Hypercalcemia can result from enhanced calcium
absorption which can lead to calcium deposits in many organs,
especially the kidneys and arteries. Vitamin K is an essential
fat-soluble vitamin needed for proper clotting of the blood.
Vitamin K is a byproduct created by the normally harmless
bacteria in the intestine (E.coli). A true deficiency is unusual
because of adequate amounts produced by the bacteria in the
intestine and the diet. However, antibiotics can destroy
necessary flora in the intestine which can decrease vitamin K
production. Hypoprothrombinemia is seen in a vitamin K
deficiency.
Vitamin E is an essential fat-soluble vitamin. The primary
function of vitamin E as an anti-oxidant is to prevent
non-enzymatic oxidation of cell components by molecular oxygen
and free radicals. Vitamin E also helps to prevent blood clots,
thrombosis, and atherosclerosis. Vitamin E is essential for
healthy skin, fertility, and improves wound healing.
Deficiencies of vitamin E have been seen with abnormal cellular
membranes. No toxic effects have been seen with this vitamin.
All essential vitamins are necessary for good health.
Understanding what vitamins are essential and how the essential
vitamins benefit health is only half the battle. Today many can
buy vitamins online. Buying vitamins online might just be the
answer to nutrition needs.
About the author:
Kristy Haugen is a mother working to finish her second bachelor
degree in Chemical Engineering. She is also a Licensed Practical
Nurse with a current bachelor degree in Biology and Chemistry.
She writes to inform consumers about nutrition and health
topics. Learn more about your health and Buy
Vitamins Online at vitaminmaniac.com.
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