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, August 17, 2008

Vitamin C � What, Why, and How to Include It in Your Diet

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid found in many of our everyday foods and is important that our body runs on a optimum.

Vitamin C has several key used:

� It aids our bodies by the form of collagen is an important protein that creates new tissue, so that we can grow and /or repair any damage to our organs.

� There is also an antioxidant that is, they blocked some of the damage caused by free radicals which can build - as a result of the transformation of our body energy.

The food in the human body can not produce vitamin C in his own, so there must be a part of our daily diet.

Symptoms a vitamin C deficiency are -

- anemia (vitamin C aid absorption of iron )


- nosebleeds


- easy bruising


- dry skin


- inflammation of the gums


- reduced immunity to infections


- higher risk of developing cancer


- lung related problems

The average amount of vitamin C is required for an adult is 80-100mg per day. The body can not store vitamin C, it will eliminate an excess, and therefore must be that amount of food daily to maintain health.

There are many foods contain vitamin C. Most fruits and vegetables contain some vitamin C. food contains mature more than immature. Some examples of foods with higher vitamin C content-

-parsley


broccoli


-Bell pepper


strawberries


-oranges


lemon juice


-papaya


cauliflower


-Kale


- mustard greens


- Brussels sprouts

So make sure you are getting enough vitamin C in your diet and help your health today.

For more information about vitamin C or vitamin and any other recipe ideas how to use these valuable vitamins in your diet each Day visit


www.truth-about-vitamins.com

 

Lysah Woods is an Australian currently studying to become a paramedic. She has always had a keen interest in all health related topics and combined with her love of food, nutrition is one of her strongest topics.

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

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