Understanding how vitamins and minerals interact in our body gives us a valuable means of taking our health into our own hands. When it comes to vitamins, each one has a special role to play. There are two types of vitamins: fat soluble and water soluble. When you eat foods that contain fat-soluble vitamins, the vitamins are stored in the fat tissues in your body and in your liver. They wait around in your body fat until your body needs them. Fat-soluble vitamins are happy to stay stored in your body for awhile — some stay for a few days, some for up to 6 months! Then, when it's time for them to be used, special carriers in your body take them to where they're needed. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are all fat-soluble vitamins.
Water-soluble vitamins are different. When you eat foods that have water-soluble vitamins, the vitamins don't get stored as much in your body. Instead, they travel through your bloodstream. Whatever your body doesn't use comes out when you urinate. So these kinds of vitamins need to be replaced often because they don't stick around! This crowd of vitamins includes vitamin C and the big group of B vitamins — B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), niacin, B6 (pyridoxine), folic acid, B12 (cobalamine), biotin, and pantothenic acid.
Some vitamins and minerals are important in not only helping our body grow but may be helpful in fighting diseases, lowering our cholesterol, lowering blood pressure and possibly even lowering our chance of certain types of cancer.
Vitamin D-A large fraction of Americans are not getting enough vitamin D, and the range of consequences may be far greater than we thought. Recent studies suggest that vitamin D does more than help build strong bones; it may help to prevent hypertension, certain types of cancer, and some autoimmune diseases.
Selenium-Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential to good health but required only in small amounts . Selenium is incorporated into proteins to make selenoproteins, which are important antioxidant enzymes. The antioxidant properties of selenoproteins help prevent cellular damage from free radicals. Free radicals are natural by-products of oxygen metabolism that may contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Other selenoproteins help regulate thyroid function and play a role in the immune system. The role of selenium in cancer prevention has been the subject of recent study and debate. Initial evidence from the Nutritional Prevention of Cancer (NPC) trial suggests that selenium supplementation reduces the risk of prostate cancer among men with normal baseline PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels and low selenium blood levels. However, in this study, selenium did not reduce the risk of lung, colorectal, or basal cell carcinoma of the skin and actually increased the risk of squamous cell skin carcinoma. The ongoing Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) aims to definitively address the role of selenium in prostate cancer prevention.
Vitamin C is one of the most common supplements we take, for good reason. We even use its antioxidant properties in the kitchen. Want to keep a cut apple from turning brown in the air? Coat it with a little vitamin C-rich citrus juice. This same action also keeps your cells and DNA from breaking down when exposed to free-radical forming agents such as cigarette smoke and sunlight. Take up to 1,000 mg per day as a supplement, or add more citrus and green vegetables to your diet to make sure you're getting the maximum benefit from vitamin C.
Folic acid is beneficial in supporting cell division and DNA production, both of which can protect your skin cells. Making sure you take at least 400 micrograms per day can help prevent skin diseases, certain forms of cancer and anemia.
Carotenoids including beta-carotene, lycopene and lutein all function as antioxidants. Find these colorful nutrients in supplement form or just add extra red, yellow and orange foods to your diet to tap into their damage-fighting mojo. Beta carotene is a precursor of vitamin A, another vitamin antioxidant which has been shown to fight the signs of aging, especially when vitamin A is applied topically in the form of Retin-A.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids- Fish oil is a supplement you may already be taking for its ability to protect your heart and nervous system. The good news is that according to a scientific study published in 2005, one of its Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, also fights sun damage and reduces wrinkles.
Zinc helps prevent pregnancy problems, speeds healing and boosts immunity. Natural sources include crab, chicken and cashews.
Vitamin B-12 is helpful for women who are menstruating or breast-feeding because it builds genetic material, helps form red blood cells and prevents anemia, among other benefits. Natural sources include liver, milk, eggs and fish.
Calcium helps build strong bones and can prevent osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones in older women to become brittle and susceptible to fracture. Natural sources of calcium include dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cheese and vegetables such as broccoli and turnip greens. In pill form, calcium citrate is most often recommended because it is easily absorbed.
Magnesium is sometimes regarded as a "smoothie" mineral, since it has the ability to relax our muscles. Our nerves also depend upon magnesium to avoid becoming overexcited, and this aspect of magnesium links this mineral to maintenance of healthy blood pressure.
No comments:
Post a Comment