Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in the production and maintenance of cells within the body. Despite being essential, the human body cannot produce this nutrient and it does not carry the bacteria that do produce it. The natural source of this nutrient is animal products such as meat (especially liver), sea food (especially shell fish), eggs, and dairy products. Today the nutrient is also added to many breads and cereals as part of the nutritional fortification process. Nevertheless, Vitamin B12 deficiencies are not particularly uncommon, especially among at risk groups: vegans and/or strict vegetarians), people over the age of fifty, people with assorted gastrointestinal disorders, and those with other medical conditions (pregnancy, hyperthyroidism, AIDS, alcoholism, and so on). These individuals very often decide to get a B12 shot.
Archive | Vitamins RSS feed for this section
What Supplements Should I Take
There is a lot of information available on the fact that we should be supplementing our diet with natural nutrition vitamins and supplements. However, it can be very confusing just what exactly should be looked at. We often times cannot afford every vitamin on the market. What is the most important supplement that should be taken if a person is on a limited budget.
The Versatile Antioxidant Vitamin
Slice an apple into half, and it turns brown. A copper penny suddenly becomes green, or an iron nail when left outside, will rust. What do all these events have in common? These are examples of a process called oxidation. If the sliced apple is dipped in a lemon juice, however, the rate at which the apple turns brown is slowed. It is because the Vitamin C in the lemon juice slows the rate of oxidative damage.
Since its discovery 65 years ago, vitamin C has come to be known as a wonder worker. Because of its role in collagen formation and other life-sustaining functions, Vitamin C serves as a key immune system nutrient and a potent free-radical fighter. This double-duty nutrient has been shown to prevent many illnesses, from everyday ailments such as the common cold to devastating diseases such as cancer.
The water-soluble vitamin C is known in the scientific world as ascorbic acid, a term that actually means without scurvy. We depend on ascorbic acid for many aspects of our biochemical functioning; yet human beings are among only a handful of animal species that cannot produce their own supply of vitamin C. Like these other animals, including primates and guinea pigs, we have no choice but to obtain this nutrient through food or our daily diet.
Vitamin C can enhance the body’s resistance from different diseases, including infections and certain types of cancer. It strengthens and protects the immune system by stimulating the activity of antibodies and immune system cells such as phagocytes and neutrophils.
Vitamin C, as an antioxidant, helps reduce the activity of free radicals. Free radicals are by-products of normal metabolism which can damage cells and set the stage for aging, degeneration, and cancer. It shouldnt come as any surprise that vitamin C is being used for cancer treatment. In large doses, Vitamin C is sometimes administered intravenously as part of cancer treatment.
Since its discovery 65 years ago, vitamin C has come to be known as a wonder worker. Because of its role in collagen formation and other life-sustaining functions, Vitamin C serves as a key immune system nutrient and a potent free-radical fighter. This double-duty nutrient has been shown to prevent many illnesses, from everyday ailments such as the common cold to devastating diseases such as cancer.
The water-soluble vitamin C is known in the scientific world as ascorbic acid, a term that actually means without scurvy. We depend on ascorbic acid for many aspects of our biochemical functioning; yet human beings are among only a handful of animal species that cannot produce their own supply of vitamin C. Like these other animals, including primates and guinea pigs, we have no choice but to obtain this nutrient through food or our daily diet.
Vitamin C can enhance the body’s resistance from different diseases, including infections and certain types of cancer. It strengthens and protects the immune system by stimulating the activity of antibodies and immune system cells such as phagocytes and neutrophils.
Vitamin C, as an antioxidant, helps reduce the activity of free radicals. Free radicals are by-products of normal metabolism which can damage cells and set the stage for aging, degeneration, and cancer. It shouldnt come as any surprise that vitamin C is being used for cancer treatment. In large doses, Vitamin C is sometimes administered intravenously as part of cancer treatment.