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.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Many people to doubt the legitimacy of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Some people believe that the illness is only an invention of the imagination. The reason for the disbelief in the disease is mostly due to the fact that there are no laboratory tests or examinations of patients who can prove that the person actually suffering from this illness.

Usually when a person goes to the doctor, and he /She is suffering from CFS, many other possibilities have to be eliminated before reaching a conclusion. Even after the conclusion has been reached, the results are never one hundred percent positive that the patient is indeed suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. This is perhaps why, of the one million Americans who suffer from this disease, only twenty percent have actually diagnosed. So what exactly is CFS? This particular disease is a type of severe fatigue, the last six months or longer. The fatigue is so severe that they can reduce someone's ability to accomplish daily tasks. The people are usually too tired to work and participate in any kind of activity. For those people who still work their jobs in general is suffering because their productivity lessens.

Some other symptoms of the disease are: pain in muscles, pain in the joints, problems with memory, problems with concentration, headache, insomnia unsatisfactory Sore throat, lymph nodes and sensitive. As of now there is no cure for chronic fatigue. The only way that doctors are able to help people suffer from CFS, by their symptoms. For instance, a doctor may prescribe medicine to help someone in reducing pain in the muscles or joins. Given these small steps helps people return to their ability to perform daily tasks. The people suffer from this disease can really vouch for the legitimacy of it.

Lauren S. Johnson writes health articles about fitness and nutrition.
Some of her favorite passions include studying the medicinal benefits of herbal remedies, diet pills, and hoodia gordonii.

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

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