Vitamin C is a necessary vitamin for the body to carry out its functions properly. It is also known as ascorbic acid. It is a water-soluble nutrient that is found in some foods. It acts as an antioxidant in the body which helps to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals, which are formed when our bodies convert the food we eat into energy. The body needs vitamin C to make collagen which is the protein required in wounds, healing. Moreover, vitamin C promotes the absorption of iron from fruits and vegetables and helps in promoting the immune system. Vitamin C is also important to protect our body from cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease, and skin wrinkling. We can obtain vitamin C from food and other sources. …show more content…
Citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit and their juices are rich in vitamin C. Broccoli, strawberries, cantaloupe, baked potatoes, and tomatoes are rich with Vitamin C. Vitamin C deficiency is rare. For those people who do not get enough vitamin C, they result with Vitamin C deficiency, which means lacking of sufficient amount of vitamin C in diet. Overtime, lacking of vitamin C cause the inability to form new collagen. This causes breaking down various tissues in our bodies, which affects tissues' repair and health. Scurvy is one of the serious disease that comes out with vitamin C deficiency. This disease causes various tissues sign and symptoms such as: fatigue, inflammation of the gums, small red or purple spots on the skin, joint pain, poor wound healing, corkscrew hairs, swelling , bleeding gums and loosening or loss of teeth is an example. Also, Rickets, Beriberi and Pellagra are names of diseases that caused by lack of vitamin
One piece of evidence I have comes from a document called, "Understanding the Value of Multivitamin." In this document the author, Komaroff, A.L, says, "... For example, a deficiency of Vitamin C causes scurvy." In this line Komaroff is stating how Vitamin C can cause scurvy, which is a disease that makes us lose our teeth and so much more. In the same document they then stated, "... Such severe vitamin Deficiency are rarely seen in the developed countries. However, eating foods rich in vitamins still brings benefits… " So even if you wouldn't take multivitamins to get rid of vitamin deficiency diseases you can still take it to rid of other major killers. These major
A study carried out by Telang (2013)(14) showed that 10 % of vitamin C applied topically decrease UVB induced erythema by 52% and sunburn cell formation by 40-60%. Vitamin C has a role to reduce the melanin formation by inhibition of tyrosinase enzyme that decrease dark spots. It has photo aging protection due to promoting collagen synthesis, as it is essential cofactor for enzymes required for its biosynthesis as a result, decrease wrinkle appearance (15).
Vitamin C in the body acts as an antioxidant. Vitamin C loses electrons easily, a characteristic that allows it to perform as an antioxidant. In the body, antioxidants defend against free radicals. A free radical is a molecule with one or more unpaired electrons, which makes it unstable and highly reactive. By donating an electron or two, antioxidants neutralize free radicals and protect other substances from their damage. Figure 1 illustrates how vitamin C can give up electrons to stop free radical damage and then accept them again to become reactivated. This recycling of vitamin C is key to limiting losses and maintaining a reserve of
On the other hand, excess lack of Vitamin A may lead to hair loss, enlarged spleen, liver damage, increase risk of bone fractures and growth retardation.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in the United States and often responsible for anemia and neurologic symptoms, particularly in the elderly.
A well-balanced diet contains all the necessary vitamins, and most individuals who follow such a diet can correct any previous vitamin deficiencies. However, persons who are on special diets, who are suffering from intestinal disorders that prevent normal absorption of nutrients, or who are pregnant or lactating may need particular vitamin supplements to bolster their metabolism. Beyond such real needs, vitamin supplements are also often popularly believed to offer "cures" for many diseases, from colds to cancer; but in fact the body quickly eliminates most of these preparations without absorbing them. In addition, the fat-soluble vitamins can block the effect of other vitamins and even cause severe poisoning when taken in excess.
Vitamin E in all its forms, functions predominantly as an antioxidant by protecting cells from free radicals in the body. Vitamin E works as an antioxidant by donating a hydrogen atom from a hydroxyl group to a free radical within the body. Vitamin E also plays a role in immune system function and protects cell membranes and regulation of gene expression. Vitamin E has been studied to uncover other medical usages, including prevention or treatment of many health conditions [1].
Vitamin C also known as ascorbic acid is needed for growth and maintenance of healthy tissues, especially skin, blood vessels, bones, gums, teeth. Vitamin C aids in resistance against infection and healing of wounds. It also helps the body absorb iron from food. Vitamin C can be found in green vegetables, potatoes, tomatoes and citrus fruits such as oranges and lemon. A lack of vitamin C can cause scurvy, iron deficiency and poor wound healing. A healthy diet should include a high amount of vitamin C because the human body cannot produce its own vitamin C.
Calcium is essential to normal functioning in a healthy individual; this only leaves the question of where to get it. There are many sources available to meet daily requirements, two of which are dairy products and supplemental vitamins. Both of these options have qualities that make them appealing, so choosing might be difficult or even come to a middle ground. Some of the considerations to be made are: what calcium is, the types of calcium in each source, how much should be ingested daily, the body’s ability to absorb and tolerate calcium from the chosen source, and the interactions that might occur with other medicines and required daily nutrients. In both cases a decent nutritional diet still needs to be incorporated. It may seem like a simple choice between a couple of pills a day or 3-4 glasses of milk, but there is quite a bit more
When one hears the three words: vitamins, nutrients, and minerals, they think of one thing-being healthy and noticing what your intake is daily. Nutrition is all about vitamins and nutrients. Firstly, vitamins are an organic compound required by the body in small amounts of metabolism, to protect health, and for proper growth of children. Vitamins also assist in the formation of hormones, blood cells, nervous systems chemicals, and genetic material. There are 13 well-identified vitamins. Some examples of the 13 well-identified vitamins are: A, D, E, and K-fat contained foods, B, C-consumed immediately. A well known and commonly used in commercials for orange juice vitamin is vitamin C. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is important in the synthesis and maintenance of connective tissues. The lack of vitamin C will result in a sickness called scurvy. Scurvy harms the gums, mucous membranes, and the skin. Another well-known vitamin and is also used to commercial to give more information about this beverage is the vitamin in milk. The vitamin in milk is vitamin D. If you do not drink milk and obtain this vitamin, your bones and teeth will become soft and weak. Lacking one or more of the 13 well-identified vitamins will cause sickness and weakness to your body. Secondly, nutrients are how the body assimilates certain compounds. Nutrients are classified in 5 major groups: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. One of the five nutrients is carbohydrate. The carbohydrate group principally consists of sugar, starch, dextrin, cellulose, and glycogen. In more basic terms, carbohydrates are sugars needed by human and other living organisms. Some types of foods that contain carbohydrates would be candies, ice cream, fruit juice, soda, chocolate bars etc. Lastly, vitamins are connected to minerals. Minerals are also a very important part of a healthy person. There are 11 major groups of minerals. They are: calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, and zinc. All these terms look very familiar if one has taken chemistry. These are the elements of our world. One of the more common minerals that most people have heard of is calcium. Calcium also helps with the structure and strength of teeth and bones. Vitamins and minerals work together to help humans maintain a healthy body. For example, vitamin D works with calcium to help for and maintain the strength of teeth and bones.
My average intake is 66 mg. it is lower than the required Vitamin C intake. Deficiency in Vitamin C can develop scurvy, if vitamin C is missing on our diet. Oranges, lemon and other citrus fruits, bell pepper, kiwi broccoli, berries, tomatoes and papayas are rich in Vitamin C . Lack of Vitamin D on diet can develop rickets to small children. The required intake for this vitamins is 15microgram and my report is zero. Vitamin D can be achieved from exposure of skin to ultra violet rays of the sun. Vitamin E is responsible for transmission of nerve impulses, body weakness and eye problem that can cause blindness. My nutrient intake for Vitamin 10 mg AT and the require intake is 15 mg AT, which is 5 mg lower than the require amount. Food related to Vitamin E are green leafy vegies such as spinach, kale are rich in Vitamin E, in addition, broccoli, hazel nuts, squash and pumpkin are also rich in Vitamin E. My vitamin K intake is 3 microgram, way too low compared to the requirement which is 90 microgram. Vitamin K deficiency can cause hemorrhagic disease of new born. Food that gives Vitamin K are green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach, canola oils, olive oils, and
It churns out rich red blood that carries nutrients and oxygen to remote outposts, and it sends nerve signals skipping along thousands of miles of brain and body pathways. It also formulates chemical messengers that shuttle from one organ to another, issuing the instructions that help sustain your life.” (2017). In short, these nutrients keep us alive by providing one’s body with what they need to function. Without some of these nutrients one can develop serious diseases such as scurvy, osteoporosis, iron deficiency, and rickets to name a few. While scurvy is eradicated in developed countries, third world countries who do not have easy access to Vitamin C may still experience this disease. Such a simple fix for a horrible and deadly disease, therefore nutrients are very important for one’s body to function on a daily basis, some of the damage done by deficiencies and toxicities may be
If we continue to eat unhealthy it can cause some huge problems in the future. When eating unhealthy you have less vitamins in your system, which can cause some severe diseases. One is the lack in vitamin C can cause a disease called Scurvy. Early Symptoms of Scurvy are weakness, feeling tired, and sore muscles. Later it causes decrease in red blood cells, gum disease, and bleeding from the skin.
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.
As they always say HEALTH IS WEALTH! Your food selection today, makes you enjoy for the moment and affects your health tomorrow and in the future!