Vitamins and their Importance in Health and Disease
The word ‘Vitamine’ meaning a vital amine was
proposed by a Polish Researcher, Dr. Cacimir Funk, in 1911 to designate a new
food substance which cured beri-beri. Other terms were proposed as new factors
were discovered. But the word vitamin, with the final ‘e’ dropped, met with
popular favour. Vitamins are potent organic compounds which are found in small
concentrations in foods. They perform specific and vital functions in the body
chemistry. They are like electric sparks which help to run human motors. Except
for a few exceptions, they cannot be manufactured or synthesized by the
organism and their absence or improper absorption results in specific deficiency
disease. It is not possible to sustain life without all the essential vitamins.
In their natural state they are found in minute quantities in organic foods. We
must obtain them from these foods or in dietary supplements. Vitamins, which
are of several kinds, differ from each other in physiological function, in
chemical structure and in their distribution in food. They are broadly divided
into two categories, namely, fat-soluble and water-soluble. Vitamins A, D, E
and K are all soluble in fat and fat solvents and are therefore, known as
fat-soluble. They are not easily lost by ordinary cooking methods and they can
be stored in the body to some extent, mostly in the liver. They are measured in
international units. Vitamin B Complex and C are water soluble. They are dissolved
easily in cooking water. A portion of these vitamins may actually be destroyed
by heating. They cannot be stored in body and hence they have to be taken daily
in foods. Any extra quantity taken in any one day is eliminated as waste. Their
values are given in milligrams and micrograms, whichever is appropriate. Vitamins,
used therapeutically, can be of immense help in fighting disease and speeding recovery.
They can be used in two ways, namely, correcting deficiencies and treating
disease in place of drugs. Latest researches indicate that many vitamins taken
in large doses far above the actual nutritional needs, can have a miraculous
healing effect in a wide range of common complaints and illnesses. Vitamin
therapy has a distinct advantage over drug therapy. While drugs are always
toxic and have many undesirable side effects, vitamins, as a rule are non-toxic
and safe. The various functions of common vitamins, their deficiency symptoms,
natural sources, daily requirements and their therapeutic uses are discussed in
brief as follows:
Vitamin A
Known as anti-opathalmic, vitamin A is essential for
growth and vitality. It builds up resistance to respiratory and other
infections and works mainly on the eyes, lungs, stomach and intestines. It prevents
eye diseases and plays a vital role in nourishing the skin and hair. It helps
to prevent premature ageing and senillity, increases life expectancy and
extends youthfulness. The main sources of this vitamin are fish liver oil,
liver, whole milk, curds, pure ghee, butter, cheese, cream and egg yolk, green
leafy and certain yellow root vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, turnip, beets,
carrot, cabbage and tomato and ripe fruits such as prunes, mangoes, pappaya,
apricots, peaches, almonds and other dry fruits. A prolonged deficinecy of
vitamin A may result in inflammation of the eyes, poor vision frequent colds,
night blindness and increased susceptibility to infections, lack of appetite
and vigour, defective teeth and gums and skin disorders. The recommended daily
allowance of vitamin A is 5,000 international units for adults and 2,600 to
4,000 international units for children. When taken in large therapeutic doses,
which are usually 25,000 to 50,000 units a day, it is highly beneficial in the
treatment of head and chest colds, sinus trouble, influenza and other
infectious diseases. It is also valuable in curing night blindness and other
eye diseases as well as many stubborn skin disorders. This vitamin can be given
up to 100, 000 units a day for a limited period of four weeks under doctor’s supervision.
In a recent year-long study, huge doses of vitamin A given twice a year reduced
death by about 30 per cent among Indonesian children. This has raised the hope
in the fight against a significant cause of childhood mortality in developing
countries.
B COMPLEX VITAMINS
There are a large variety of vitamins in the B group,
the more important being B1 or thiamine, B2 or riboflavin, B3 or niacin or
nicotinic acid, B6 or pyridoxine, B9 or folic acid, B12 and B5 or pantothenic
acid. B vitamins are synergistic. They are more potent together than when used separately.
THIAMINE
Known as anti-beberi, anti-neuritic and anti-ageing
vitamin, thiamine plays an important role in the normal functioning of the
nervous system, the regulation of carbohydrates and good digestion. It protects
heart muscle, stimulates brain action and helps prevent constipation. It has a
mild diuretic effect. Valuable sources of this vitamin are wheat germ, yeast,
the outer layer of whole grains, cereals, pulses, nuts, peas, legumes, dark
green leafy vegetables, milk, egg, banana and apple. The deficiency of thiamine
can cause serious impairment of the digestive system and chronic constipation,
loss of weight, diabetes, mental depression, nervous exhaustion and weakness of
the heart. The recommended daily allowance for this vitamin is about two
milligrams for adults and 1.2 mg. for children. The need for this vitamin
increases during illness, stress and surgery as well as during pregnancy and
lactation. When taken in a large quantity, say up to 50 mg. , it is beneficial in
the treatment of digestive disorders, neuritis and other nervous troubles as
well as mental depression. For best results, all other vitamins of B group
should be administered simultaneously. Prolonged ingestion of large doses of
any one of the isolated B complex vitamins may result in high urinary losses of
other B-vitamins and lead to deficiencies of these vitamins.
RIBOFLAVIN
Vitamin B2 or riboflavin, also known as vitamin G, is
essential for growth and general health as also for healthy eyes, skin, nails
and hair. It helps eliminate sore mouth, lips and tongue. It also functions
with other substances to metabolis carbohydrates, fats, and protein. The main
sources of this vitamin are green leafy vegetables, milk, cheese, wheat germ,
egg, almonds, sunflower, seeds, citrus fruits and tomatoes. Its deficiency can
cause a burning sensation in the legs, lips
and tongue, oily skin, premature wrinkles on face and
arm and eczema. The recommended daily allowance for this vitamin is 1.6 to 2.6
mg. for adults and 0.6 to one mg for children. Its use in larger quantities,
say from 25 to 50 mg. is beneficial in the treatment of nutritional cataracts
and other eye ailments, digestive disturbances, nervous depression, general debility,
and certain types of high blood pressure.
NIACIN
Vitamin B3 or niacin or nicotinic acid is essential
for proper circulation, healthy functioning of the nervous system and proper
protein and carbohydrate metabolism. It is essential for synthesis of sex
hormones, cartisone, thyroxin and insulin. It is contained in liver, fish,
poultry, peanut, whole wheat, green leafy vegetables, dates, figs, prunes and
tomato. A deficiency can lead to skin eruptions, frequent stools, mental
depression, insomnia, chronic headaches, digestives disorders and anemia. The
recommended daily allowance is 12 to 20 mg. for adults and 4.8 to 12 mg. for
children. Large doses of this vitamin say up to 100 mg. with each meal,
preferably together with other B group vitamins, affords relief in case of
migraine and high blood pressure caused by nervousness, high cholesterol and
arteriosclerosis.
PYRIDOXINE
Vitamin B 6 or pyridoxine is actually a group of
substance - pyridoxine, pyridoxinal and pyridoxamine - that are closely related
and function together. It helps in the absorption of fats and proteins,
prevents nervous and skin disorders and protects against degenerative diseases.
The main sources of this vitamin are yeast, wheat, bran, wheat germ, pulses,
cereals, banana, walnuts, soybeans, milk, egg, liver, meat and fresh
vegetables. Deficiency can lead to dermatitis, conjunctivitis, anemia,
depression, skin disorders, nervousness, insomnia, migraine headaches and heart
diseases. The recommended daily requirement is 2.0 mg. for adults and 0.2 mg.
for children. This vitamin used therapeutically from 100 to 150 mg. daily can
relieve painful joints and the discomforts of pregnancy and pre-menstrual
symptoms. Vitamin B6 is now the most intensively studied of all vitamins.
Researches are on the threshold of a number of promising developments involving
treatments of various ailments with this vitamin. They include hyperactivity in
children, asthma, arthritis, kidney stones, blood clots in heart attack victims
and nervous disorders.
FOLIC ACID
Vitamin B9 or folic acid, along with vitamin B12 is
necessary for the formation of red blood cells. It is essential for the growth
and division of all body cells for healing processes. It aids protein metabolism
and helps prevent premature greying. Valuable sources of this vitamin are deep green
leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, brewers yeast, mushrooms, nuts, peanuts
and liver. A deficiency can result in certain types of anemia, serious skin
disorders, loss of hair, impaired circulation, fatigue and mental depression. The
minimum daily requirement of this vitamin is 0.4 mg. To correct anemia and
deficiencies 5 mg or more are needed daily. Some authorities believe that folic
acid is contraindicated in leukemia and cancer.
PANTOTHENIC ACID
Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid helps in cell
building, main- taining normal growth and development of the central nervous
system. It stimulates the adrenal glands and increases the production of
cortisone and other adrenal hormones. It is essential for conversion of fatty
and sugar to energy. It also helps guard against most physical and mental
stresses and toxins and increases vitality. The main sources of this vitamin
are whole grain bread and cereals, green vegetables, peas, beans, peanuts and
egg yolk. It can be synthesised in the body by intestinal bacteria. A
deficiency can cause chronic fatigue, hypoglycemia, greying and loss of hair,
mental depression, stomach disorders, blood and skin disorders. The minimum
daily requirement of this vitamin has not been established, but is estimated to
be between 30 and 50 mg a day. The usual therapeutic doses are 50 to 200 mg. In
some studies, 1,000 mg or more were given daily for six moths without side
effects. It is useful in the treatment of insomnia, low blood pressure and
hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.
VITAMIN B12
Vitamin B12 or cobolamin, commonly known as "red
vitamin" , is the only vitamin that contains essential mineral elements.
It is essential for proper functioning of the central nervous system, production
and regeneration of red blood cells and proper use of fat, carbohydrates and protein
for body building. It also improves concentration, memory and balance. Valuable
sources of this vitamin are kidney, liver, meat, milk, eggs, bananas and
peanuts. Its deficiency can lead to certain types of anemia, poor appetite and
loss of energy and mental disorders. The recommended daily allowance of this
vitamin is 3 mcg. Taken in large therapeutic doses from 50 to 100 mcg., it is
beneficial in the treatment of lack of concentration, fatigue, depression, insomnia
and poor memory.
VITAMIN C
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is essential for normal
growth and the maintenance of practically all the body tissues, especially
those of the joints, bones, teeth, and gums. It protects one against infections
and acts as a harmless antibiotic. It promotes healing and serves as protection
against all forms of stress and harmful effects of toxic chemicals. It helps
prevent and cure the common cold. It also helps in decreasing blood
cholesterol. This vitamin is found in citrus fruits, berries, green and leafy
vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes, sprouted bengal and green grams, A deficiency can
cause scurvy marked by weakness, anemia, bleeding gums and painful and swollen
parts, slow healing of sores and wounds, premature ageing and lowered
resistance to all infections. The recommended daily allowance is 50 to 75 mg.
for adults and 30 to 50 mg. for children. Smokers and older persons have
greater need for vitamin C. It is used therapeutically in huge doses from 100
to 10,000mg. a day. It prevents and cures colds and infections effectively, neutralizes
various toxins in the system, speeds healing processes in virtually all cases
of ill health, increases sexual vitality and prevents premature ageing.
According to Dr. Linus Pauling, a world famous chemist and nutrition expert,
" because vitamin C is one of the least toxic vitamins, it is very safe to
use in high doses. "Your body will
take exactly what it needs and
excrete any
excess naturally."
VITAMIN D
Vitamin D is necessary for proper bone and teeth
formation and for the healthy functioning of the thyroid gland. It assists in
the assimilation of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals from the digestive
tract. This vitamin is found in the rays of the sun, fish, milk, eggs, butter
and sprouted seeds. A deficiency can cause gross deformation of bones and
severe tooth decay. The recommended daily allowance of this vitamin for both
adults and children is 400 to 500 international units. Therapeutically, up to
4,000 to 5,000 units a day for adult or half of this for children, is a safe
dose, if taken for not longer than one month. It is beneficial in the treatment
of muscular fatigue, constipation and nervousness. It can be toxic if taken in
excessive doses, especially for children. Signs of toxicity are unusual thirst,
sore eyes, itching skin, vomiting, diarrhea, urinary urgency, abnormal calcium
deposits in blood vessel walls, liver, lungs, kidneys and stomach.
VITAMIN E
Vitamin E is essential for normal reproductory
functions, fertility and physical vigour. It prevents unsaturated fatty acids,
sex hormones and fat soluble vitamins from being destroyed in the body by
oxygen. It dilutes blood vessels and improves circulation. It is essential for
the prevention of heart diseases, asthma, arthritis, and many other conditions.
It is available in wheat or cereals germ, whole grain products, green leafy
vegetables, milk, eggs, all whole, raw or sprouted seeds and nuts. Its
deficiency can lead to sterility in men and repeated abortions in women, degenerative
developments in the coronary system, strokes and heart disease. The official
estimated requirement of this vitamin is 15 international units. Expert
nutritionists estimate the actual requirement at 100 to 200 I.U. a day. The
therapeutic doses are from 200 to 2400 I.U. daily. It is beneficial in the
treatment of various forms of paralysis, diseases of the muscles,
artheriosclerosic heart disease by diluting blood vessels. It prevents
formation of scars in burns and post-operation healing. It protects against
many environmental poisons in air, water and food. It also has a dramatic
effect on the reproductive organs and prevents miscarriage, increases male and
female fertility and helps to restore male potency.
VITAMIN K
Vitamin K is necessary for the proper clotting of
blood, prevention of bleeding and normal liver functions. It aids in reducing
excessive menstrual flow. This vitamin is contained in egg yolk, cow’s milk,
yogurt, alfalfa, green and leafy vegetables, spinach, cauliflower, cabbage and tomato.
Its deficiency can lead to sufficient bile salts in the intestines, colitis,
lowered vitality and premature ageing.
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