Natural Vitamins- God's gift
Normally what we see, is that people take vitamins as the quickest way to get rid of all the diseases at once. They are considered as some "super tonic" or whatever. But if we say in the medical sense, then vitamins are the complex chemical substances used by our bodies for certain important functions, but one thing that should be kept in mind is that we require these in very tiny amounts. Our bodies cannot survive without them as their deficiency may result in fatal diseases sometimes.
Once the body has sufficient amount of a particular vitamin it cannot use more of it, so what is the need of loading the body with vitamins when there is enough of them.
These vitamins are known by letters of the alphabet and the most important ones are:-
1. Vitamin A
This one is related to growth protecting against infection and proper functioning of the eye. Its deficiency can cause retarded growth in children, highly prone to infections and certain eye defects like poor night vision (night blindness).
Chief sources- butter, eggs, milk and a number of fruits and vegetables especially carrots.
2. Vitamin B
It helps in the healthy working of the brain, nervous system and heart. Its deficiency can cause diseases like beri-beri and pellagra may develop in which these organs are disorganised.
These diseases are found quite rare in U.K., but milder deficiency of vitamin B may occur among the debilitated and old people with an imbalanced diet or lacking the variety.
Also, deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause pernicious anaemia due to poor absorption.
Chief sources- wheat germ like wholemeal bread, cereals and oatmealyeast extracts
Marmite
3. Vitamin C
This keeps your blood vessels healthy. Its defiency can cause a bleeding into the tissues of the body or from the gums ("scurvy"). Vitamin C is found in fresh fruits and vegetables particularly those used in salads. Do not overcook the vegetables as they destroy all the useful vitamins present.
Most commonly, the elder people are found deficient in it as they hesitate to eat "hard" fruits like apples and do not prefer eating salads. Potatoes contain a sufficient amount of vitamin C just below their skin and are said to be the most useful source for the elderly if peeled finely.Fruit juices like "Ribena" or Vitamin C supplements are more valuable for the elderly as well as for the young.
4. Vitamin D
To absorb calcium, we need this as it keeps our teeth and bones healthy. Its deficiency may develop "Rickets", in which the bones become soft and blend away.
Chief sources- milk and butter, artificially added to margarine, fish oils like cod liver oil and these oils contain this vitamin in a concentrated form.
You should never exceed the recommended dose of these oils as too much of vitamin D can be harmful.
5. Vitamin E
It is essential for the metabolism of fatty acids. It is present invegetable oils and is always found in plenty in normal Western diet, never deficient.
6. Vitamin K
It is extremely essential for the production of one of the blood clotting factors. Its deficiency is possible only among the newborn babies and in liver disease which can be corrected by injection.
In U.K., vitamin drops and tablets are easily available for the young children and expectant and nursing mothers at local health clinics.
Once the body has sufficient amount of a particular vitamin it cannot use more of it, so what is the need of loading the body with vitamins when there is enough of them.
These vitamins are known by letters of the alphabet and the most important ones are:-
1. Vitamin A
This one is related to growth protecting against infection and proper functioning of the eye. Its deficiency can cause retarded growth in children, highly prone to infections and certain eye defects like poor night vision (night blindness).
Chief sources- butter, eggs, milk and a number of fruits and vegetables especially carrots.
2. Vitamin B
It helps in the healthy working of the brain, nervous system and heart. Its deficiency can cause diseases like beri-beri and pellagra may develop in which these organs are disorganised.
These diseases are found quite rare in U.K., but milder deficiency of vitamin B may occur among the debilitated and old people with an imbalanced diet or lacking the variety.
Also, deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause pernicious anaemia due to poor absorption.
Chief sources- wheat germ like wholemeal bread, cereals and oatmealyeast extracts
Marmite
3. Vitamin C
This keeps your blood vessels healthy. Its defiency can cause a bleeding into the tissues of the body or from the gums ("scurvy"). Vitamin C is found in fresh fruits and vegetables particularly those used in salads. Do not overcook the vegetables as they destroy all the useful vitamins present.
Most commonly, the elder people are found deficient in it as they hesitate to eat "hard" fruits like apples and do not prefer eating salads. Potatoes contain a sufficient amount of vitamin C just below their skin and are said to be the most useful source for the elderly if peeled finely.Fruit juices like "Ribena" or Vitamin C supplements are more valuable for the elderly as well as for the young.
4. Vitamin D
To absorb calcium, we need this as it keeps our teeth and bones healthy. Its deficiency may develop "Rickets", in which the bones become soft and blend away.
Chief sources- milk and butter, artificially added to margarine, fish oils like cod liver oil and these oils contain this vitamin in a concentrated form.
You should never exceed the recommended dose of these oils as too much of vitamin D can be harmful.
5. Vitamin E
It is essential for the metabolism of fatty acids. It is present invegetable oils and is always found in plenty in normal Western diet, never deficient.
6. Vitamin K
It is extremely essential for the production of one of the blood clotting factors. Its deficiency is possible only among the newborn babies and in liver disease which can be corrected by injection.
In U.K., vitamin drops and tablets are easily available for the young children and expectant and nursing mothers at local health clinics.
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