eldertings
12-05-2008, 02:28 AM
Vitamins
Vitamins are natural organic substances essential for the proper regulation of reproduction, growth, health, and energy production. Humans are unable to manufacture most of the necessary vitamins and these must be obtained from dietary sources, either as whole foods or supplements. So far, 13 compounds have been classified as vitamins. They further classify into:
Fat-soluble vitamins
Water soluble vitamins
Vitamin A (Retinol or Beta carotene) - Req. for vision, growth, building immunity & bone development. Beta carotene functions as an anti-oxidant.
Vitamin D - Normal bone growth and tooth function. Stimulates calcium & phosphorus absorption.
Vitamin E - Antioxidant – protects body cells, Vit. A & unsaturated fatty
acid. Maintains normal RBCs.
Vitamin K - Helps make 6 of the 13 proteins which help in blood clotting. Involved in bone building.
Vitamin B complex - Assist in carbohydrate and protein metabolism & energy production. Help maintain healthy skin. Helps maintain a healthy nervous system. Essential for RBC formation, hormones & synthesis of DNA and protein. Involved in metabolism of carbohydrates and synthesis of fats & proteins.
Vitamin C - Essential for formation of Connective tissue, bones & teeth. Assist in utilisation of other nutrients. Acts as an antioxidant.
Minerals
Calcium - Helps build strong bones and teeth. Involved in muscle contractions and nerve function.
Chromium - Works with insulin for proper glucose metabolism.
Iron - Helps carry oxygen to body tissues including muscle.
Magnesium - Maintains normal muscles, nerves and immune functions. Bone health.
Phosphorus - Works with calcium to build and maintain bones and teeth. Helps convert food to energy.
Potassium - Vital for muscle contractions and nerve transmission. Important for heart and kidney function. Helps regulate fluid.
Zinc - Important in function of many enzymes. Wound healing.
Vitamins are natural organic substances essential for the proper regulation of reproduction, growth, health, and energy production. Humans are unable to manufacture most of the necessary vitamins and these must be obtained from dietary sources, either as whole foods or supplements. So far, 13 compounds have been classified as vitamins. They further classify into:
Fat-soluble vitamins
Water soluble vitamins
Vitamin A (Retinol or Beta carotene) - Req. for vision, growth, building immunity & bone development. Beta carotene functions as an anti-oxidant.
Vitamin D - Normal bone growth and tooth function. Stimulates calcium & phosphorus absorption.
Vitamin E - Antioxidant – protects body cells, Vit. A & unsaturated fatty
acid. Maintains normal RBCs.
Vitamin K - Helps make 6 of the 13 proteins which help in blood clotting. Involved in bone building.
Vitamin B complex - Assist in carbohydrate and protein metabolism & energy production. Help maintain healthy skin. Helps maintain a healthy nervous system. Essential for RBC formation, hormones & synthesis of DNA and protein. Involved in metabolism of carbohydrates and synthesis of fats & proteins.
Vitamin C - Essential for formation of Connective tissue, bones & teeth. Assist in utilisation of other nutrients. Acts as an antioxidant.
Minerals
Calcium - Helps build strong bones and teeth. Involved in muscle contractions and nerve function.
Chromium - Works with insulin for proper glucose metabolism.
Iron - Helps carry oxygen to body tissues including muscle.
Magnesium - Maintains normal muscles, nerves and immune functions. Bone health.
Phosphorus - Works with calcium to build and maintain bones and teeth. Helps convert food to energy.
Potassium - Vital for muscle contractions and nerve transmission. Important for heart and kidney function. Helps regulate fluid.
Zinc - Important in function of many enzymes. Wound healing.