The Role of B Vitamins
Water-soluble vitamins were collectively called water soluble B in the beginning. When more water-soluble vitamins were discovered, they were referred to as B1, B2, B6, B12 and so on. Later when more vitamins were discovered in both the categories, they were referred as vitamins C, D, E and K. Now, most are known by a word that indicates either chemical nature or function.
Some vitamins are synthesized in the body itself by intestinal micro-organisms. Antibiotics and sulfa drugs may destroy these organisms resulting in decreased vitamin synthesis. There are other bacteria which when present in the intestine utilize dietary vitamins for their own use thus causing vitamin deficiency.
Vitamins in the diet are bound to protein and fat. During digestion, they get broken down and absorbed. Vitamins present in undigested food are not available to the body. The body requirement of
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Dietary sources are mackerel, swordfish, chicken, veal, dried fortified cereals, pork, salmon, and beef liver. Current DRI recommendations are 20 mg. This vitamin may be prescribed for improving cholesterol levels, but supplements are unnecessary in people with normal health and diets. A deficiency of niacin causes pellagra; symptoms can include eczema, intestinal and stomach distress, depression, headache, thinning of the hair, and excess saliva production. Anemia may occur, although this is probably due to an accompanying deficiency in folic acid (see Folic Acid, below). Even mildly high doses of niacin can cause hot flushing of the face and shoulders, headache, itchiness, and stomach problems. Some report heart disturbances and temporarily lowered blood pressure. Large doses may produce ulcers, gout, diabetes, and liver damage, which are usually reversed when high doses are
Korsakoff’s syndrome is a brain disorder that is related to heavy alcohol use over a long period of time. This disorder is caused by a lack of Thiamine, or vitamin B1. Excessive amounts of alcohol use lead to Thiamine deficiency, which affects the brain and nervous system. Thiamine deficiency can be caused by poor eating habits, as heavy drinkers typically do not have nutritional diets that fulfill their vitamin needs. Alcohol can also disrupt the process in which Thiamine is changed into the active form, Thiamine Pyrophosphate. Alcohol also inflames the stomach lining, causing vomiting; again, this affects the body’s absorption of key vitamins. The effect alcohol has on the liver also affects the storage of these vitamins. Korsakoff’s syndrome is also related to another brain disorder, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This syndrome involves the Korsakoff syndrome and also Wernicke. Wernicke’s syndrome involves undernutrition, jerky eye movements, poor balance, and memory loss, which is caused by heavy alcohol consumption. If this condition is...
Vitamin B12 is commonly obtained in the diet through consumption of meat, nuts, eggs, milk, shellfish, and green leafy vegetables (j). B12 has a large complex structure based around a corrin ring, which resembles porphyrin with a cobalt ion at the center (l). For this reason compounds with vitamin B12 activity are called cobalamin (k). Cyanocobalamin is the form typically found in fortified foods, which is converted in the body to the active forms methylcobalamin and 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (k).
Brownstein, Joseph. “Some common vitamin supplements could increase death risk, study finds.” 10 October 2011. Vitals on mnsbc.com. Web. 11 January 2012. http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news
Vitamin B12 deficiency limits selenium methylation and excretion resulting in higher tissue selenium levels and subsequent toxicity. It occurs in people whose digestive systems do not adequately absorb the vitamin from the foods they eat. Vegetarians who eat eggs and milk products are the most at risk because, on average, they consume less than half the adult vitamin B12 Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) while strict vegans (who don't eat any animal products, including meat, eggs, or milk) are at an even greater risk. Vitamin B12 is important since it works with the vitamin folate to make the body’s genetic material and help keep levels of the amino acid homocysteine in check which helps to decrease heart disease risk. It is also essential in the production of red blood cells which carry oxygen through the blood to the body’s tissues. Life Extension gives offers some of selenium supplements. Babies who are born of parents with low selenium and vitamin B12 rich foods are at risk of anaemia.
Vitamin C is an essential in the body's defenses against infection. Susceptible children will not tolerate relatively unimportant infections and this can lead to prolonged illness and in the case of behaviorally disturbed children of symptoms previously well managed. Vitamin C is an extremely safe substance which is immensely beneficial to the brain and body in a multitude of ways. Its potential for preventing and treating autism has barely been touched. Vitamin C is heavily concentrated in the brain, but its exact role in brain function has not been fully understood. A recent search turned up 400 references referring to vitamin C and the effects of the brain, but the mystery still remains.
Folic acid and folate is a B vitamin and an important part of nutritional intake. The B vitamins are a group of water-soluble vitamins that play important roles in cell metabolism and folic acid and folate are both forms of vitamin B9 (Barrowclough, 2009). They occur naturally in food and can also be taken as supplements. Vitamin B has a wide range of functions that occur biologically in the body and during pregnancy an important factor of vitamin B9 is the production and maintenance of new cells. Vitamin B9 als...
Once ingested, food must be digested so it is available for energy and maintenance of body structure and function. Alcohol inhibits the breakdown of nutrients into usable molecules by decreasing secretion of digestive enzymes from the pancreas. Alcohol impairs nutrient absorption by damaging the cells lining the stomach and intestines and disabling transport of some nutrients into the blood. In addition, nutritional deficiencies themselves may lead to further absorption problems. For example, foliate deficiency alters the cells lining the small intestine, which in turn impairs absorption of water and nutrients including glucose, sodium, and additional foliate. Even if nutrients are digested and absorbed, alcohol can prevent them from being fully utilized by altering their transport, storage, and excretion. Decreased liver stores of vitamins such as vitamin A and increased excretion of nutrients such as fat, indicate impaired utilization of nutrients by alcoholics.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in the United States and often responsible for anemia and neurologic symptoms, particularly in the elderly.
During ancient times, nearly 3300 BCE to 100 CE, many things were being established, for example municipalities and continual cultivation. In Sumaria (in modern Iraq), it was discovered that food, not only allow human beings to stay alive but it has an immense impact on people’s health. This was an introductory concept that influenced the discovery of Vitamins in general. But this notion was probably already known by even earlier medicine experts, at that time called shaman (Jacks, 2007). But in Sumeria and many other regions, this idea was studied in greater detail. Their information was recorded in a writing system called cuneiform, which incorporated different styles of writing; logo syllabic, syllabic and alphabetic scripts (Ancient Scripts, 2012). In 2012, Ancient Scripts stated that this method has been used for the longest period in history. The information was written on clay tablets, called clay tokens, seen in Figure 1.0. There are still some evidence of this type of script but the majority of the exertion on Vitamins cannot be found today (Jacks, 2007). They have been demolished with time or they are still obscured. Furthermore, in Ancient Egypt, certain foods were identified to improve health and recommended to the population. During the 1500 BC, humans already used fruits to treat health problems like scurvy, which was named thousands of years later.
The 13 well-identified vitamins are classified according to their ability to be absorbed in fat or water. The fat-soluble vitamins-A, D, E, and K-are generally consumed along with fat-containing foods, and because they can be stored in the body's fat, they do not have to be consumed every day. The water-soluble vitamins-the eight B vitamins and vitamin C-cannot be stored and must be consumed frequently, preferably every day (with the exception of some B vitamins, as noted below).
Individuals who consume B vitamins don’t have to worry about overdosing because the vitamins are complex and water-soluble. This means there can be no build up in the body and is not likely to cause harm.
Nutritional deficiency can be defined as an insufficient supply of required nutrients (as vitamins and minerals) in the diet, thus this can lead to malnutrition (‘Nutritional Deficiency’ n.d.). Vegetarian diets lack of many types of nutrients such as protein, iron, calcium, zinc, vitamin D3 and vitamin B12. One of the most common nutrients that are very hard to be found in a vegetarian diet is vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is necessary for us to consume because it helps to build a normal functioning body and brain. Animal products provide enough amount of vitamin B12. According to Walton (2011), he stated that the lack of vitamin B12 can cause problems in cell functioning, dizziness, anemia, poor concentration and many more.
Illness is one of the main causes when you don’t have enough vitamins in your system because your immune is weak by not having any vitamin. A weak immune system can make you more susceptible to a common cold or fever. It seems that taking vitamin supplements does not work as well as taking vitamin in by a healthy diet. When eating unhealthy you could get different types of diseases. Having a high blood pressure can cause a higher risk of strokes and heart problems along with diabetes. Over time our population
These vitamins are fat soluble, which means they can only be absorbed with the help of fat.
The nutrients we get from eating fruits and vegetables are also very important in our daily diet. When we eat anything we get nutrients from it, but the question is are we eating too much? Too much of a good thing can be bad! The different vitamins have many different purposes, vitamin A keeps the eyes and skin healthy and helps protect against infections. Vitamin C helps heal cuts and wounds and keeps your teeth and gums healthy.