Vitamins
Vitamins help in processing protein, carbohydrates and fats. The word ‘Vitamin’ means a vital amine. Vitamins are very difficult to detect very subtle but very powerful compounds. It was in the beginning of eighteenth century that the presence of vitamins in food was recognized. If there is not sufficient vitamin in the food, a person cannot remain healthy. Generally vitamins are supplied in food. They are not produced by our body except vitamin K. They are chemical substances required in minute quantities by our body for promoting certain chemical processes. They help our body in processing protein, carbohydrates and fats so that to create energy, builds and replaces cells and they also help in prevention of diseases. Vitamins acts like spark in the fuel in the process of oxidizing in the body.
Vitamins, is a best curative, can be of immense help in fighting disease and accelerating recovery. They can be used in correcting deficiencies and treating disease in place of drugs. Researches indicate and said that many vitamins taken in large doses at a higher position than the actual nutritional needs can have a heaven-sent healing effect in a wide range of common complaints and illnesses. Vitamin therapy has a distinguishable advantage crosswise drug therapy. As it is commonly known drugs are always toxic and have many undesirable side effects, vitamins, as a decree it is non-toxic and safe.
Vitamins are of several kinds differ from each other in physiological function, in chemical structure and in their arrangement of distribution in food. They are broadly classified into two categories, namely, water-soluble and fat-soluble. Vitamin B Complex and C are water soluble. They are dissolved easily in cooking water. A portion of these vitamins may actually be destroyed by heating. They cannot be stored in body and hence they have to be taken daily in foods. If any extra quantity is taken any time is eliminated as waste. Vitamins A, D, E and K are all soluble in fat and fat solvents hence told as fat-soluble. They are not easily lost by ordinary cooking methods and they can be stored in the body up to certain extent, mainly in the liver.
In olden days when sailors went on long voyage in many instance got afflicted with Scurvy disease. Their gums began to bleed and muscles become loose and their heart beat stopped. This was dealt successfully by giving lemon juice to the sailors affected. Scurvy disease was completely eliminated by giving fresh vegetables and fruits to the sailors. Later another disease which sailors come to fight was Beriberi. In this disease there was swelling in the nerves and patient is paralyzed. This disease was successfully treated by giving bread made of whole wheat flour and fruits and vegetables.
The following are some most important vitamins which are needed in our diet.
VITAMINS | PROMOTS IN | DEFFICIENCY CAUSES | SOURCE |
VITAMIN_A | Healthy skin, General Health, vitality, Resistance to infection, good health in pregnancy & lactation | Night Blindness, retarded Growth, Lack of appetite | Colored fruits, vegetables especially carrots, Milk, milk products, eggs & liver or liver oil. |
VITAMIN-B1 (THIAMINE) | Normal functioning of nervous system, heart & muscles, Digestion and utilization of carbohydrates | Nervous irritation, mental depression, Loss of weight. | Whole wheat, rice husk, pea nuts, oat meal, Vegetables, Milk. |
VITAMIN-B2 (RIBOFLAVIN) | General health & growth | Burning of eyes, Itching and cracking of corners of lips | Whole wheat grains and its products, Milk and milk products |
VITAMIN-B3 (NIACIN) | Normal functioning of gastro intestinal tract, Normal skin condition, Nervous system & good memory | Gastro intestinal and skin lesions, Loss of weight, insomnia, General weakness | Whole wheat, Green vegetables, Pulses, beans, peanuts |
VITAMIN-B4 (Invented by Dr. reader in 1929, This is destroyed in heat and alkalines) | Much is to be invented |
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VITAMIN-B5 (Dr Chick and Couping invented this vitamin in 1930. This is destroyed in heat and alkalines) | Much is to be invented |
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VITAMIN-B6 (PHRIDOXINE) | Assimilation of fats and proteins, Essential for Nervous System, brain & muscles | Nervous system Disorders, Skin eruptions, Loss of hair and loss of muscular control. | Wheat germ, bran, milk, Banana, peanut, raisins, Cabbage, molasses |
VITAMIN-B12 (COBALAMIN) | Formation and regeneration of RBC, and nerve tissue. Utilization of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. | Lead to Anemia, Fatigue & lack of GROWTH. | Milk products, eggs, Liver |
VITAMIN-C (ABSCORBIC ACID) | Resistance to infection and fastens healing. Necessary for healthy teeth, gums and Bones, Helps in healing cold and cough. | Bleeding gums, General weakness and Anemia. | Citrus fruits, papaya, Mango, tomatoes, potatoes, Spinach, Peppers and other fruits and vegetables. |
VITAMIN-D (COLIFEROL) | Utilization of Calcium and Phosphorous, Formation of good teeth and bones, | Rickets in Children,(Deficiency disease in children with softening the bones) | Vitamin-D is formed when the ultra violet rays of the sun convert the cholesterol present in the skin. Also present in Milk, Milk products and fish liver oil. |
VITAMIN-E (TOCOPHEROL) | Preventing blood clots, Circulation blood. | Early aging, Loss of reproductive powers, Muscular disorders. | Whole grain products, Wheat germs, Green and leafy vegetables, Oils, butter eggs and liver. |
VITAMIN-F | Growth, Healthy glands, Skin & hair. Assimilation of Calcium and Lowering Cholesterol level. | Skin disorders | Vegetable oil such as Sunflower oil & Soya bean oil. |
VITAMIN-K (MENADIONE) | Maintenance of Blood clotting system and is important for health of liver. |
| Whole grains, Wheat germ, Wheat bran potatoes, Tomatoes, Cabbage, Spinach. It is also produced by bacteria in human intestines. |
VITAMIN-P (BIOFLAVONOID) | Strengthen the valves of capillaries, Builds resistance to cold and infection. | Weakness of capillaries and appearance of spots on the skin. | Peals and pulps of citrus fruits, especially lemon. |
VITAMIN-B15 | Makeup the deficiency of oxygen in the tissues | Whole wheat, Brewer’s yeast, Unpolished rice, pumpkin seeds and Sunflower sweets. |
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