One of the more well-known vitamins is Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid. This water soluble vitamin plays a role in many important bodily functions. Since it is water soluble, that which the body does not use is constantly being passed through the body via the urine. While there are no known problems associated with an over-abundance of Vitamin C, it is a good idea to stick within recommended daily allowances.
Probably the most important function of Vitamin C is its antioxidant effects. Oxidants are free radicals that if not controlled can significantly damage cells. Much in the same way that rust breaks down a car's exterior, so too can free radicals damage the skin and other body parts.
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Vitamin B1, a water-soluble vitamin also known as Thiamin, is an important part of the family of B-complex vitamins. The primary role this vitamin plays inside the body is in the conversion process of blood sugars into glucose. Vitamin B1 helps the body break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
Sufficient levels of Vitamin B1 also ensure that the nervous system and the cardiovascular system work optimally. Proper muscular functioning is also dependent on sufficient quantities of this vitamin. The production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the body's main source of fuel, could not happen without Vitamin B1. The heart in particular relies on this fuel supply so that it can keep up with its most important job of circulating blood throughout the body and supplying the blood cells with oxygen.
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As harmless as they might seem, much controversy surrounds the issue of vitamin supplementation. Generally speaking, taking a daily multivitamin supplement is safe and effective. In fact, doing so is much safer than developing symptoms of a vitamin or mineral deficiency.
Today's hectic lifestyle makes it difficult for people of all ages to get their daily nutritional requirements from food. More time spent at work than at home means people are eating out more often. While convenient, the truth is that people are losing control of what they eat. Restaurant food offers portion sizes that are often double and even triple what they should be. Preparation methods generally involve using artery-clogging oils, and other saturated fats.
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Most people do not even realize that vitamins are different, but they are. Besides the obvious letter difference, vitamins can be classified as either Fat Soluble or Water Soluble. Whether the vitamin is fat soluble or water soluble has to do with the way the body processes it. Should this difference matter to you? Well, yes and no.
At a basic level, whether or not a vitamin is fat soluble or water soluble doesn't really matter. What is most important is ensuring your body gets the recommended daily allowances of each. Regardless of whether you're getting your vitamins via your diet or by supplementation, avoiding a vitamin deficiency is what will keep the body in good health.
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Have you ever wondered why the word 'essential' usually precedes the term, 'vitamins'? The reason is simple. Vitamins as well as minerals ensure that our bodies function as they were designed. Interestingly, as important as vitamins are, the body lacks the ability to manufacture most on its own. Instead, it must rely on outside sources to meet its nutritional needs.
Vitamins are organic compounds and as such they're found naturally in many of the foods we consume. They're also available in the form of vitamin supplements. Thirteen different vitamins are needed to perform such crucial functions as helping protect against infections and disease, helping the body's metabolism, helping the body grow and helping the body remove waste.
Vitamins are a lot like building blocks. A healthy body is able to put these blocks together to create the enzymes and hormones that, among other things, control heart rate, blood pressure, glucose levels and other chemical reactions.
How Much is Enough?
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Stress can have profound effects on our mental health. It can cause us to lose focus, or it can trigger depression or anxiety. It might affect our memory, and it can have a negative impact on our relationships with others. But did you know that stress can adversely affect our physical health as well?
The Physiology of Stress
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Filed under Wellness by bill
Today, more kids than ever are overweight. They get less exercise and eat more unhealthy food than generations past. Video games have become a substitute for playing outside, and convenience foods are becoming a staple in their diets. These changes have lead to an increased incidence of a variety of disorders.
It is more important now than it has ever been to do our best to keep our kids healthy. Kids have more unhealthy options than they once did, and it is our job to make sure they get the exercise and healthy diet they need. Here are some things we can do to help our kids stay in good health:
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Heart disease is responsible for millions of hospitalizations and deaths worldwide each year. It is the leading killer of American adults. Some individuals are genetically predisposed to heart disease, and there are certain statistical risk factors that are beyond one's control. But certain lifestyle changes can make anyone less likely to suffer from heart disease.
No matter what your age, there are ways that you can significantly reduce your risk for heart disease. These include the following:
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We all know how important it is to take good care of ourselves during pregnancy. We seek prenatal care, eat a nutritious diet, and try to make the best choices so that our babies will be healthy and strong. But there are also some things we need to do for our babies before they are even conceived. One of the most important is getting plenty of folic acid.
Folic acid, also known as Vitamin B9 or folate, is good for us because it aids in the production of red blood cells. It is also believed to help prevent serious ailments such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. But folic acid also plays an important role in the development of a fetus: It helps prevent neural tube defects.
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Everyone knows that when you're pregnant, you eat for two. But your diet isn't the only thing that affects your baby. Paying special attention to your health will reduce the likelihood of problems for your child, and it will make you more comfortable during this physically taxing time.
Getting Proper Nutrition
Pregnant women need about 300 more calories per day than they did before they were expecting. These extra calories provide the fuel for your baby to grow. If you don't eat enough, however, the baby will usually get what he needs anyway. You will be the one who is left with less energy.
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