Natural Vitamins: Learn Your ABCs

[Guest guest]

A Free-Reprint Article Written by: Mark and Janet

Article Title:

Natural Vitamins: Learn Your ABCs

See TERMS OF REPRINT to the end of the article.

Article Description:

Vitamins are nutrients that keep your body healthy, but that

your body cannot produce by itself; they must be supplied by

your diet or in dietary supplements. Vitamins are essential

for normal functioning of our bodies and are needed for our

bodies to grow, stay healthy, and to prevent and cure many

diseases and potential health problems. This article tells

you the most important things you need to know about

vitamins and the primary vitamins.

Additional Article Information:

===============================

970 Words; formatted to 65 Characters per Line

Distribution Date and Time: 2009-09-30 13:00:00

Written By: Mark and Janet

Copyright: 2009

Contact Email: mailto:mark.and.janet.davis@...

For more free-reprint articles by Mark and Janet , please visit:

http://www.thePhantomWriters.com/recent/author/mark-and-janet-davis.html

=============================================

Special Notice For Publishers and Webmasters:

=============================================

HTML Copy-and-Paste and TEXT Copy-and-Paste

Versions Of Article Are Available at:

http://thePhantomWriters.com/free_content/db/d/natural-vitamins.shtml#get_code

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Natural Vitamins: Learn Your ABCs

Copyright © 2009 Mark and Janet

Mark And Janet

http://www.MarkAndJanet.com/

Vitamins are nutrients that keep your body healthy, but that your

body cannot produce by itself; they must be supplied by your diet

or in dietary supplements. Vitamins are essential for normal

functioning of our bodies and are needed for our bodies to grow,

stay healthy, and to prevent and cure many diseases and potential

health problems.

There are two categories of vitamins:

* Water-soluble vitamins - are not stored in your body and must

be replaced every day. Your kidneys work to remove excess

water-soluble vitamins that are not needed.

* Fat-soluble vitamins - are stored in the liver and fatty

tissues, which are eliminated more slowly. Because they are not

as easily eliminated, taking excessive fat-soluble vitamin

supplements can be toxic.

There are two primary sources of vitamins:

* Synthetic vitamins are developed in the lab from coal tar

derivatives. Most of the food supplements sold today are

synthetic, which are cheaper to make than natural vitamins.

* Natural vitamins are a concentrated nutrient obtained from a

natural source; no preservatives or artificial colors are used.

There is an ongoing debate about synthetic versus natural

vitamins. Many natural food proponents say that synthetic

vitamins are ineffective because the body does not absorb the

nutrients, and that they do not contain the necessary co-factors

that occur in nature. For example, in natural sources,

bioflavonoids are present with vitamin C. In synthetic vitamin C,

these bioflavonoid co-factors are not present. The other side of

the debate says that synthetic vitamins have the identical

molecular structure as natural vitamins, and that they are just

as effective.

Your body needs at least 13 vitamins to promote growth and

development, but in different amounts and for different reasons.

They include vitamins A, C, D, E, K and the B vitamins (thiamine,

riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-6,

vitamin B-12, and folate).

Here's some information about each of these important vitamins.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin important for bone growth,

reproduction, vision, and cell division. It helps regulate the

immune system, and may help white blood cells fight infections.

There are two main types of Vitamin A, depending on whether it

comes from a plant or an animal source. Vitamin A from plant

sources is known as carotenoids and is obtained from colorful

vegetables such as spinach and carrots. Vitamin A from animal

sources is absorbed as retinol, found in foods such as liver and

whole milk. Without enough Vitamin A, it is harder for your body

to fight infections. Vitamin A deficiency is not common in

developed countries, and is usually associated with strict

dietary restrictions, Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or

excessive alcohol use. Excessive Vitamin A is a risk factor for

osteoporosis, as it can hinder the absorption of Vitamin D.

The B Vitamins are a group of 8 different vitamins: thiamine

(B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5),

pyridoxine (B6), cyanocobalamin (B12), folic acid, and biotin.

These vitamins are important for providing energy for the body,

breaking down fats and proteins, and developing healthy muscle

tone, skin, hair, eyes, mouth, and liver function. The B-complex

vitamins can be found in whole-grain cereals, nuts, milk, eggs,

meats, fish, fruits, and vegetables. These vitamins are water

soluble, so excess doses are not common. Niacin is now being

prescribed for reducing high cholesterol; side effects may

include flushing, itching, and nausea. Folic acid protects

against birth defects by helping regulate embryonic and fetal

nerve cell formation so it's normally included in Prenatal

Vitamins.

Vitamin C, known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin

necessary for healthy bones, cartilage, muscles, and blood

vessels. Iron transports oxygen in the body and Vitamin C helps

the body absorb iron. Vitamin C is found in fruits and

vegetables, particularly citrus fruits, and a deficiency is

associated with scurvy. Research indicates that Vitamin C may

also be helpful for treatment or prevention of asthma, cancer,

diabetes, and the common cold, although results are not

conclusive. High levels of vitamin C have multiple side effects,

including kidney stones, diarrhea, nausea, and gastritis.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin found naturally in few foods,

so it is now routinely added to such foods as milk. Sunlight

helps the skin absorb it, however, the use of sunscreen to

prevent sun damage and skin cancer also prevents the absorption

of Vitamin D. This vitamin is necessary for the body to absorb

calcium and to prevent rickets, and without Vitamin D and

calcium, bones become weak or brittle. People at risk for Vitamin

D deficiency include babies who are exclusively breastfed, older

adults, those with limited exposure to sunlight, and obese

persons. Excess levels of Vitamin D can cause nausea,

constipation, weakness, and weight loss.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble, super antioxidant, which protects

cells against free radicals, which are molecules that contain an

unshared electron. Antioxidants can safely interact with these

free radicals that can damage cells and might contribute to the

development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Many foods

provide vitamin E including nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils.

Green leafy vegetables and fortified cereals also contain

significant amounts.

Vitamin K allows blood to clot, helps prevent osteoporosis, and

prevents cell damage. It is found in green leafy vegetables such

as spinach, as well as in peas and carrots. It is rare to develop

a Vitamin K deficiency, although severe levels of deficiency

could lead to anemia. High doses of natural forms of vitamin K

have not produced symptoms of toxicity.

Vitamins work together to regulate many processes within the

body. A lack of vitamins or a diet that does not provide adequate

amounts of certain vitamins can upset the body's natural

internal balance. Vitamin pills can't replace eating healthy

food. However, taking vitamins and supplements is a great way to

ensure that your body is getting everything it needs to keep you

healthy.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Mark and Janet are a husband and wife team, health and

nutrition entrepreneurs and founders of MarkAndJanet.com, a

website with uncompromising, premium products for your health

conscious family. Are you looking for more information on

natural skin care? Visit us at http://www.MarkAndJanet.com/

or check out our blog at http://www.MarkandJanetBlog.com/