Vitamins are essential for growth. They’re sometimes called the spark plugs of the human body. In addition each vitamin has a special function in the body. If these vitamins are lacking in the diet, disease can be a result. The six vitamins for which standards have been established are A, C, D and the B complex which includes thiamin, niacin and riboflavin. The functions and sources of these important vitamins are as follows.
Vitamin A promotes growth and builds resistance to disease. It’s necessary for healthy skin and for the normal functioning of the eyes, especially in dim light. The first symptoms of a vitamin A deficiency are a change in the skin and membranes causing a general lowered resistance in infection and disease. A mild deficiency causes night blindness. The eyes are unable to adjust themselves to sudden changes in light. A more severe deficiency over a prolonged period of time produces a serious eye inflammation called xerophthalmia.
Some of the best sources of vitamin A is found in many foods high in fat. Among these sources are butter, fortified margarine, eggs, cream, milk and cheese. It’s also found in yellow and green vegetables. Carrots, broccoli, string beans and greens of all sorts. Vitamin A is also found in fruits like figs and apricots.
Since vitamin A is widely distributed in common foods, there’s little reason for anyone not getting all the vitamin A needed. But it is destroyed by long contact with air through the process called oxidation. Therefore, foods containing this vitamin should be eaten as soon as possible after being gathered or bought. Foods which cannot be eaten immediately should be carefully stored. The closer your fruit or vegetable is to it’s “natural state” is the healthiest way to eat them uncooked.
When more vitamin A is eaten than is needed, the excess is stored in the liver. Because of this fact, animal livers are the richest livers. One serving of calf’s liver for example will supply all the vitamin A an adult needs for nearly a week. Fish-liver oils are also very rich sources of this vitamin. This vitamin A is measured by a standard known as International Units. The recommended allowance for an adult is 5,000 units each day. Children require less. Adolescents and expectant mothers need more. Detailed units can be read on the side of your vitamin bottle.
Vitamin B Complex group is another important vitamin. They’re classed together because they were thought to be a single vitamin which was named vitamin B. Then scientists found that this substance was composed of more than one vitamin. The need in human nutrition for three of these is known and standards for them have been established. These three vitamins are now generally called by the names thiamin, riboflavin and niacin. Vitamins are more important today than they ever were due to the American way of life especially in the metropolitan areas.
Vitamin A promotes growth and builds resistance to disease. It’s necessary for healthy skin and for the normal functioning of the eyes, especially in dim light. The first symptoms of a vitamin A deficiency are a change in the skin and membranes causing a general lowered resistance in infection and disease. A mild deficiency causes night blindness. The eyes are unable to adjust themselves to sudden changes in light. A more severe deficiency over a prolonged period of time produces a serious eye inflammation called xerophthalmia.
Some of the best sources of vitamin A is found in many foods high in fat. Among these sources are butter, fortified margarine, eggs, cream, milk and cheese. It’s also found in yellow and green vegetables. Carrots, broccoli, string beans and greens of all sorts. Vitamin A is also found in fruits like figs and apricots.
Since vitamin A is widely distributed in common foods, there’s little reason for anyone not getting all the vitamin A needed. But it is destroyed by long contact with air through the process called oxidation. Therefore, foods containing this vitamin should be eaten as soon as possible after being gathered or bought. Foods which cannot be eaten immediately should be carefully stored. The closer your fruit or vegetable is to it’s “natural state” is the healthiest way to eat them uncooked.
When more vitamin A is eaten than is needed, the excess is stored in the liver. Because of this fact, animal livers are the richest livers. One serving of calf’s liver for example will supply all the vitamin A an adult needs for nearly a week. Fish-liver oils are also very rich sources of this vitamin. This vitamin A is measured by a standard known as International Units. The recommended allowance for an adult is 5,000 units each day. Children require less. Adolescents and expectant mothers need more. Detailed units can be read on the side of your vitamin bottle.
Vitamin B Complex group is another important vitamin. They’re classed together because they were thought to be a single vitamin which was named vitamin B. Then scientists found that this substance was composed of more than one vitamin. The need in human nutrition for three of these is known and standards for them have been established. These three vitamins are now generally called by the names thiamin, riboflavin and niacin. Vitamins are more important today than they ever were due to the American way of life especially in the metropolitan areas.
Gary Cooper a writer/runner from Texas with tips for runners of all abilities. He’s ran in well over one hundred races himself & thousands of miles logged. Stop by his website for more details. http://runningrunnersrun.com
