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Know
some things about Vitamins and Minerals.
Vitamins and
minerals are essential for your well being. We all know we need
them but most of us don't really know what we actually need them
for. It's by no means a complete reference but here's our guide to
help make sense of them all.
Vitamin
A
Is
required for the maintenance of healthy vision, growth and repair of
cells and tissue, and for the proper functioning
of skin and mucous membranes. Vitamin A is also an antioxidant.
Vitamin B1
Also known as 'Thiamine' is necessary for the body to
breakdown carbohydrates into glucose. Vitamin B1 is also necessary
for the proper functioning of the nervous system by influencing the
production of chemicals that transmit messages between nervous
cells.
Vitamin B2
Also known as 'Riboflavin' is essential to the breakdown of
carbohydrates, fats and proteins and to the body's ability to
utilise them.
Vitamin B3
Otherwise known as Niacin (Vitamin B3) Helps lower blood
levels of cholesterol. Acts as a detoxifying agent.
Vitamin B5
Also called Pantothenic acid, vitamin B5, is needed to make
the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It is also essential in
producing, transporting, and releasing energy from fats. Synthesis
of cholesterol (needed for vitamin D) depends on pantothenic acid.
Pantothenic acid also activates the adrenal glands and has been
reported to lower blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
Vitamin B6
Is necessary for the production of an enzyme that is involved in
many metabolic processes including protein metabolism. Important in
maintaining healthy skin, muscles and blood.
Vitamin B12
Also known as Cobalamin is essential to the healthy functioning of
all body cells particularly those within the nervous system, the
gastrointestinal tract and the bone marrow (blood production).
Vitamin B Complex
Is a compound of related nutrients found together in nature that
have a range of vital functions in the body, including the
maintenance of healthy nerves, hormones, digestion, blood cells as
well as the skin, hair and nails. B complex is most famous for the
nerves, helping us to keep up with the pressures of a demanding
lifestyle.
Folic Acid
Works alongside Vitamin B12 and Vitamin C to enable the body to make
use of protein in the diet. I has a major role in the development of
red blood cells and in the prevention during pregnancy of neural
tube defects in the developing foetus.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C has numerous roles within the body, it is required by the
immune system for functioning, aids the body in fighting infections,
such as colds. It is used in the formation of building blocks of
collagen which collectively form the bones, teeth, gums, skin and
blood vessels.
Vitamin E
Is one of the most important antioxidants used by the body to
protect cells from damage caused by free radicals - chemicals
generated within the body as a side-product of its' metabolic
activities. Vitamin E is also essential to muscle cells' ability to
use oxygen efficently. This applies particularly to skeletal and
cardiac muscle.
Vitamin E helps to prevent against disease of the breast, fights
skin problems and baldness and reduces the symptoms of pre-menstrual
syndrome (PMS)
Vitamin H
Vitamin H has numerous roles within the body, it is required by the
immune system for functioning, aids the body in fighting infections,
such as colds. It is used in the formation of building blocks of
collagen which collectively form the bones, teeth, gums, skin and
blood vessels.
Vitamin K
Only a handful of researchers study vitamin K which has been long
known for its critical role in blood clotting. But with the aging of
Western populations, this vitamin may command a bigger following as
its importance to the integrity of bones becomes increasingly clear
and research suggests it activates at least three proteins involved
in bone health.
Minerals:
Calcium
Is the most abundant mineral in the body. It is essential to the
formation of bones and teeth and assist in the clotting of blood.
The proper functioning of the heart, nerves and muscles is also
dependant upon normal levels of calcium within the blood stream.
Chromium
Chronium helps in the control of blood glucose levels and in the
protection against high cholesterol levels and therefore the
development of coronary heart disease.
Iron
Adequate levels of iron within the body are required to work
alongside protein and copper to manufacture haemoglobin, the pigment
within red blood cells that transport oxygen to cells within the
body.
Manganese
Manganese is a component (with copper and zinc) of an antioxidant
enzyme system. Needed for healthy bones, joints and nervous system.
Magnesium is a very important chemical as a co-factor in enzyme
activity, particularly in the muscular, nervous systems, heart and
circulatory systems.
Selenium
Selenium is an essential trace mineral that works alongside the
antioxidant Vitamin E, to minimise the effects of free radicals
within the body.
Zinc
Zinc is a trace mineral essential to health. It is important to the
functioning of immune system and plays a major role in the action of
many enzymes within the body. Zinc is essential for the growth and
proper development of the reproductive organs.
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