VITAMINS

Vitamins are organic food substances found only in living things such as supplements, plants and animals. With very few exceptions, the body cannot manufacture these vitamins itself. Vitamins are essential to the normal functioning of our bodies. They are necessary for our growth, vitality, and general well being. They combat free radicals that cause deterioration of skin and muscle. Incorporating the right amount of vitamins in a healthy meal plan promotes an improved immune system, faster healing, healthier skin, hair and nails and elevated senses of well being.

ADVERSE EFFECTS

The vitamins A, D, E, K are fat soluable nutrients that could have adverse effects if taken in extremely high dosages. Ingesting more than 2000mg of vitamin C at one time can cause bouts of diarrhea, while Calcium and vitamin D can cause constitpation when too much is ingested.

When purchasing vitamins you should choose a reputable brand. Find a brand that has 2-4 tablets or capsules per serving for better absorption. The most efficient way to take a multi-vitamin is by splitting the dosage throughout the day. When taking them all at once you risk the chance of excreting what your body cannot absorb at that time. All vitamins should be taken with food for proper absorption and to avoid abdominal pain.

FUNCTION OF VITAMINS

VITAMIN A (Beta Carotene): Necessary for growth & repair of body tissues; helps maintain healthy skin; helps protect the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, throat & lungs, thereby reducing susceptibility to infections; counteracts night-blindness & weak eyesight; aids in bone formation. Foods rich in Beta Carotene will help reduce the risk of lung cancer & certain oral cancers. Unlike Vitamin A from fish liver oil, Beta Carotene is non-toxic.

VITAMIN B-1 (Thiamin): Plays a key role in the body's metabolic cycle for generating energy; aids in the digestion of carbohydrates; essential for the normal functioning of the nervous system, muscles & heart; stabilizes the appetite; promotes growth and muscle tone.

VITAMIN B-2 (Riboflavin): Necessary for carbohydrate, fat & protein metabolism; aids in the formation of antibodies and red blood cells; maintains cell respiration; necessary for the maintenance of good vision, skin, nails & hair; alleviates eye fatigue; promotes general health.

VITAMIN B-3 (NIACINAMIDE, Niacin): Improves circulation and reduces the cholesterol level in the blood; maintains the nervous system; helps metabolize protein, sugar & fat; reduces high blood pressure; increases energy; prevents pellagra; helps maintain healthy skin and digestive system.

VITAMIN B-6 (Pyridoxine): Necessary for the synthesis & breakdown of amino acids; aids in fat and carbohydrate metabolism; aids in the formation of antibodies; maintains the central nervous system; aids in the removal of excess fluid from premenstrual women; promotes healthy skin; reduces muscle spasms, leg cramps, hand numbness, nausea & stiffness of hands; helps maintain a proper balance of sodium & phosphorous in the body.

VITAMIN B-12 (Cobalamin): Helps in the formation & regeneration of red blood cells, thus helping prevent anemia; necessary for carbohydrate, fat & protein metabolism; maintains a healthy nervous system; promotes growth in children; increases energy.

VITAMIN C (Ascorbic Acid): Essential for healthy teeth, gums & bones; helps heal wounds, scar tissue, & fractures; prevents scurvy; builds resistance to infection; gives strength to blood vessels; aids in the absorption of iron. It is required for the synthesis of collagen, the intercellular "cement" which holds tissues together. It is also one of the major antioxidant nutrients. According to Dr. Lines Pauling, the foremost authority on Vitamin C, Vitamin C will decrease the risk of getting certain cancers by 75%.

VITAMIN D: Improves absorption and utilization of Calcium and Phosphorous; required for bone and teeth formation; maintains a stable nervous system and normal heart action.

VITAMIN E: Major anti-oxidant nutrient; retards cellular aging due to oxidation; supplies oxygen to the blood; thus alleviating fatigue; strengthens the capillary walls & prevents the red blood cells from destructive poisons; prevents & dissolves blood clots; has also been used by doctors in helping prevent sterility, muscular dystrophy, calcium deposits in blood walls and heart conditions.

BIOTIN: Aids in the utilization of protein, folic acid, Pantothenic acid, and Vitamin B-12; promotes healthy hair.

CHOLINE: Very important in controlling fat & cholesterol buildup in the body; prevents fat from accumulating in the liver; facilitates the movement of fats in the cells; helps regulate the kidneys and liver; important for nerve transmission; helps improve memory.

FOLIC ACID: Necessary for DNA & RNA synthesis, which is essential for the growth and reproduction of all body cells. Essential to the formation of red blood cells by its action on the bone marrow; aids in amino acid metabolism.PABA (Para Amino Benzoic Acid): Aids healthy bacteria in producing folic acid; aids in the formation of red blood cells; contains sun screening properties; aids in the assimilation of Pantothenic acid; returns hair to its natural color.

BIOTIN: Aids in the utilization of protein, folic acid, Pantothenic acid, and Vitamin B-12; promotes healthy hair.

CHOLINE: Very important in controlling fat & cholesterol buildup in the body; prevents fat from accumulating in the liver; facilitates the movement of fats in the cells; helps regulate the kidneys and liver; important for nerve transmission; helps improve memory.

FOLIC ACID: Necessary for DNA & RNA synthesis, which is essential for the growth and reproduction of all body cells. Essential to the formation of red blood cells by its action on the bone marrow; aids in amino acid metabolism.PABA (Para Amino Benzoic Acid): Aids healthy bacteria in producing folic acid; aids in the formation of red blood cells; contains sun screening properties; aids in the assimilation of Pantothenic acid; returns hair to its natural color.

INOSITOL: Necessary for the formation of lecithin; aids in the breakdown of fats; helps reduce blood cholesterol; helps prevent thinning hair.

PANTOTHENIC ACID: Participates in the release of energy from carbohydrates, fats & protein; aids in the utilization of vitamins; improves the body's resistance to stress; helps in cell building and the development of the central nervous system; helps the adrenal glands; fights infections by building antibodies.

MINERALS

All tissues and fluids in our body contain minerals. Minerals are vital to the metabolizing of vitamins. The body cannot produce minerals. Therefore, minerals must be ingested through food and/or supplements. By incorporating a well balanced meal plan one should ingest of all minerals essential for a sense of well-being and over-all improved health, especially in hair, skin and nails.

ADVERSE EFFECTS

There can be side effects associated with consuming too many or too high a dosage of minerals. Before taking a mineral supplement, such as iron, a physician should be consulted. Taking a multi-mineral or a multi-mineral/vitamin supplement will make up for any minerals lost due to the processing and bleaching of foods and plain old lack of nutrition. It is important that only the recommended dosage be taken unless otherwise instructed by a doctor or physician. Minerals should be taken with food and spread through out the day to maintain a steady absorption rate.

FUNCTION OF MINERALS

CALCIUM: Builds and maintains bones, helps to maintain a regular heart rhythm, helps maintain nerve and muscle functions, help to keep blood pressure at a healthy level, lowers cholesterol levels and is needed for proper kidney function and blood clotting.

MAGNESIUM: Helps maintain proper heart rhythm, is responsible for converting blood sugar into energy and helps metabolize vitamin C and calcium.

IRON: Its most important function is to combine with proteins and copper to form the hemoglobin and myoglobin that are necessary for transporting oxygen to living tissue. Iron also helps skin maintain its elasticity, fights fatigue and resists stress and disease.

IODINE: Necessary for healthy thyroid function; it helps to stimulate the metabolic process and helps maintain balanced energy production.

COPPER: Helps build and maintain bone, aids in the formation of red blood cells and helps the body use iron and vitamin C to create Elastin; a major part of the Elastin muscle fiber.

ZINC: Helps maintain a proper alkaline balance in the body, helps the body use phosphorus; necessary for the development of reproductive organs, maintains proper functioning of the prostate, regulates male hormone production; necessary for the metabolism of protein and it is an antioxidant nutrient.

MANGANESE: Helps metabolize vitamin B-1 and vitamin E; an antioxidant nutrient, helps to assimilate amino acids, aids in energy production, helps to maintain brain and nerve health, helps to maintain sex hormone production; necessary for normal bone production, aids in digestion of food and helps to break down fats and cholesterol.

CHROMIUM: Helps to regulate appetite, lowers the risk of some types of cancer, helps insulin metabolize sugar and control blood sugar levels; helping to reduce the risk of developing some types of diabetes, helps to carry amino acids through out the body and helps to reduce cholesterol and fats in the body.

POTASSIUM: Helps the kidneys filter toxins, helps deliver oxygen to the brain, helps to maintain low blood pressure, promotes healthy skin, aids in maintaining a healthy, normal heart rate and regulates the alkalinity of body fluids.

SELENIUM: Helps maintain skin elasticity, decreases the risk of some forms of cancer and helps prevent the formation of free radicals; is an antioxidant nutrient.

TRACE MINERALS: These are minerals found in relatively small amounts. Trace Minerals have many attributes that other minerals have with two important exceptions; 1) they help replace lost electrolytes, and 2) they protect against heavy metal poisoning, such as lead poisoning.