Saturday, March 13, 2010

Vitamin A


Vitamin A

Vitamines

Vitamines are important chemical compounds. Vitamines do not have any nutritional value but they are required in minute quantity in the body for proper functioning of the body.improper quantiy of vitamines in the body leads to several defficences in the body.some vitamines are produced in the while other must be taken in the diet.vitamines are classified into two types

1. Fat soluble vitamines

2. Water soluble vitamines

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin.Vitamin A is also called retinol,retinoic acid and retinal.the precursor of the vitamin A is beta carotene.Beta carotene is converted into the vitamin A in the body.

Role/Functions of Vitamin A

1. Vision

Vitamin A has a great role in the vision.Vitmin A combines with the opsin(which is protein)and form an important compound called Rhodopsin which plays a vital role in yhe vision

2. Vitamin A is a part of certain co-enzymes

3. Vitamin A has an important role in the development of bones

4. Vitamin A has aslo a role in groth of the body

5. Vitamin A is very important in the good looking of the skin

6. Vitamin A has roles in gene expressing and cell defferentiation.

Source

Vitamin A is found in the carrots,fruits and fresh vegetables and cod liver oil

Defficiences of the Vitamin A

Malnutirtion of Vitamin A leads to several defficiences in the body

1. Night blindness

2. Xeropthalmia

3. Defficiency in growth and bone development

4. Keratinization of skin

5. Cell defferentiation and gene expression does not occur

Life Stage Group

Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA)

Adequate Intakes (AI*)
μg/day

Upper Limit

μg/day

Infants

0–6 months
7–12 months


400*
500*


600
600

Children

1–3 years
4–8 years


300
400


600
900

Males

9–13 years
14–18 years
19 - >70 years


600
900
900


1700
2800
3000

Females

9–13 years
14–18 years
19 - >70 years


600
700
700


1700
2800
3000

Pregnancy

<19>50 years


750
770


2800
3000

Lactation

<19>50 years


1200
1300


2800
3000






















Monday, March 1, 2010

Omega 3 Benefits and sources


Omega 3 benefits are wide-ranging and proven by clinical studies. Understanding the best Omega 3 sources means you can include more of these healthy foods in your daily meal planning. From heart health to depression treatment to pregnancy health, Omega 3 benefits are too good to ignore if you are interested in health.

What are Omega 3's and what are the best Omega 3 sources? The Omega 3 essesential fatty acids (EFA's) are polyunsaturated fats or the so-called "good fats". These desirable fats cannot be made by the human body, so they must be obtained from foods or supplemental sources. These fats are required for normal development of the brain, eyes and nerve tissue in humans. Clinical studies show that Omega 3 benefits come primarily from DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).

The best Omega 3 sources are animal foods, not plant sources. For example, flaxseed is a source, but the body must convert the flax oil Omega 3 into DHA and EPA. This can be difficult for unhealthy or elderly persons. Three of the top Omega 3 sources are cold-water fish oil, grass-fed red meat and natural eggs. Omega 3 oils provide DHA and EPA in a natural form that your body can easily assimilate. No conversion is required by the body. Most of the clinical studies on Omega 3 benefits are based on fish oils from consuming fish and fish oil supplements.

Here are Omega 3 benefits proven by clinical studies:

1. Improves Heart Health - fish oil and Omega 3 benefits include reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, reducing the risk of heart-related sudden death and lowering unhealthy triglyceride levels. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends two servings of fish a week for healthy persons and one serving per day of fish or fish oil supplement containing at least 900mg of fish oil for persons with heart disease.

2. Improves Mood - persons suffering from mood disorders such as depression benefit from fish oil supplementation and Omega 3. The lack of omega 3 fatty acids (DHA) has been linked by researchers to depression.

3. Reduces Risk of Developing Altzheimer's Disease - clinical studies suggest that fish oil and DHA may protect the nervous system in humans.

4. Improves Memory and Brain Function - DHA and fish oil have been proven to stimulate memory and the ability to learn. Research has shown that mothers who take supplemental DHA during their pregnancy and lactation may increase their baby's IQ.

5. Reduces Allergies - fish oil protects against the symptoms of hay fever, sinus infections, asthma, certain food allergies and allergic skin conditions like hives and eczema.

6. Reduces Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms - Omega 3 benefits come from the EPA and DHA in fish oil that reduce the amount of compounds causing inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory arthritis.

7. Improves Eye Health - consuming fish oil is related to lowered risk of developing age related macular degeneration, an increasing common eye disease in people over 50.

8. Reduces PMS Symptoms in Women - Omega 3 is converted into substances called 'prostaglandins type-3' that control contractions of the uterus, which cause the cramping.

9. Improves Skin and Hair Health - fish oil helps protect the skin against damage from UV exposure, and skin disorders such as psoriasis can consider fish oil supplenentation a treatment option.

10. Lowers Cancer Risk - studies on Omega 3 benefits have linked lowered risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer to the consumption of fish oil.

Besides adding cold-water fish to meal planning, an easy way to enjoy Omega 3 benefits is by adding fish oil supplementation to your diet. Protect yourself from health problems related to the lack of the essential fatty acids DHA and EFA. The best of the Omega 3 sources is high-quality fish oil. However, it must be pure and totally free from contaminants. Read as much as you can about even more fish oil benefits that provide an amazing array of health benefits.

Copyright 2005 Infosearch Publishing