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, January 4, 2009

Enhancing Your Nutrition With Vitamins

It is a well known fact that vitamins are essential for the proper growth and maintaining the health of human beings. The role of vitamins is now more important because the increasing levels of pollution around the globe, which proved a major obstacle as far as nutritional needs are. Currently, you can never be sure that the food is sufficient to meet the needs of your body.

This is especially true for older people who need a different kind of food to the physical inability to with age. For such people, the diversity in the diet alone is not sufficient to cover all the nutrition that their body needs. Splurging is not an option for them, as they must be very careful about the calories consumed daily. Ideally, these people should ask for a recommendation from a certified nutritionist or doctor to include them in their eating habits.

This is a better idea of what to avoid, taking into account details such as medical history and physical structure of the person involved. In most cases, the dietician certain vitamin supplements to compensate for the lack of food from the food. Children who are fussy about food and to develop weak immune systems can also benefit from vitamin supplements, but they should never be encouraged to vitamins as the first alternative.

like vitamins E and C are known to have antioxidant properties that have the potential to maximize the opportunities of life-threatening illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. Even the consumption of folic acid 0.4 mg daily in women who are planning a pregnancy, it is recommended so that the child to be born, is not with diseases related to defects in the neural tube.

Another example of lack of vitamins can cause diseases related to osteoporosis, a condition in which the density of bone is reduced due to inadequate calcium intake. If care to calcium products a part of their daily diet, bone health is not adversely affected and even after menopause, bone loss with a lower rate, which emphasizes the practical chances of osteoporosis.

nutritional quality also determines the possibility of dangerous diseases such as cancer. Fruit and vegetables, the low-fat and high in fiber and vitamins are very important to maintain a healthy body. In the case of food, not all of this can be a high-quality liquid multivitamin, which takes care of all the demands of your body.

does not consume these vitamins with a sense of discretion. At times, the added simultaneously with drugs can lead to fatal results. Many people who commit serious errors of prioritization supplemented on drugs, which again have harmful consequences. So, you must be aware of the pitfalls of the vitamin supplements before you by your enthusiasm for this supplement.

When the cautious and prudent, vitamin supplements can be very beneficial and improve your health, so that you can lead a life that is free of disease.

For more information on vitamins and minerals, check out http://www.vitaminpros.com

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