Overview

A vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts by an organism. A compound is called a vitamin when it cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities by an organism, and must be obtained from the diet. Thus, the term is conditional both on the circumstances and the particular organism. For example, ascorbic acid functions as vitamin C for some animals but not others, and vitamins D and K are required in the human diet only in certain circumstances.

Vitamins are classified by their biological and chemical activity, not their structure. Thus, each "vitamin" actually refers to a number of vitamer compounds, which form a set of distinct chemical compounds that show the biological activity of a particular vitamin. Such a set of chemicals are grouped under an alphabetized vitamin "generic descriptor" title, such as "vitamin A," which (for example) includes retinal, retinol, and many carotenoids. Vitamers are often inter-convertible in the body. The term vitamin does not include other essential nutrients such as dietary minerals, essential fatty acids, or essential amino acids, nor does it encompass the large number of other nutrients that promote health but are otherwise required less often.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Ways To Beat The Summer Heat

Cooling comfort is important, but this is not the only reason to stay cool when the temperatures begin to rise. Dangerous high temperatures can lead to heat illness. These diseases include:

  1. Heat cramps result when people sweat a lot during strenuous activity. Sweating depletes the body's salt and moisture and a low level of salt produced painful cramps.
  2. Heat exhaustion can occur in people with high blood pressure, the elderly or people who work or exercise in high temperatures. It is characterized by heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache and /or weakness.
  3. Heat stroke occurs when the body temperature rises too high. This is a real medical emergency, because heat stroke can be fatal, if not ordnungsgema and treated immediately.

Here are fourteen tips to avoid heat cramps, heat exhaustion or worse, heat stroke.

  1. adjust your pattern of outdoor activities such as walking or mowing lawns To take advantage of the cooler times of day - morning or late Vening. If you do not change your time, movement for shorter periods. Try instead to walk.
  2. Wear loose-fitting clothing. Cottons are better than plastics, when it comes, keep cooler.
  3. Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the refrigerator for a quick and refreshing spray.
  4. fans to help circulate air, even in an air-conditioned room.
  5. lotions put in the refrigerator to facilitate hot, tired bodies.
  6. put plastic bottles of water in the freezer to take with you outside. As the ice melts, you have cold water to refresh.
  7. Take frequent baths and showers in cool or warm water.
  8. drink plenty of water or sports drinks. When you start to feel thirsty, you are already the first signs of dehydration can lead to more serious conditions.
  9. Use a small battery-powered fan.
  10. enjoying a cloth in ice water and place it under your hat or cap, if you. If not, put an ice-water soaked towel around his neck.
  11. Avoid caffeine and alcohol because they promote dehydration.
  12. Instead of hot foods, eat light food in smaller more frequent meals. With fruit snacks are always a good choice. If you eat salads and lighter food, you will not have to agree on a hot stove to cook.
  13. If you do not own air conditioning, try a part of the day in a library, cinema, shopping mall or other public place cool.
  14. Sit on a ClimaCushion �. The ClimaCushion � cools you by blowing cool air on you, as you sit on a chair or in your car. Feel the difference of 150 ports, air flows through a woven seat pad to deliver the maximum comfort.

Use sense. If the heat is unbearable stay in buildings, where activities in order to avoid direct sunlight or in hot asphalt.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Vertigan_Pope

0 comments: