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| Vitamins, Carotenoids, and Phytochemicals |
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Vitamins do not share a common chemistry, but they do share certain characteristics. They are all organic nutrients that are necessary in small amounts for normal metabolism and good health. Most vitamins must be provided by the diet or by supplements; only three vitamins (D, K, and the B vitamin biotin) can be manufactured in the body from nondietary sources. Vitamins are not sources of energy as are carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Instead, vitamins serve as chemical partners for the enzymes involved in the body's metabolism, cell production, tissue repair, and other vital processes. Vitamins are either fat soluble or water soluble. The fat-soluble vitamins, which include A, D, E, and K, are absorbed by the body using processes that closely parallel the absorption of fat. They are stored in the liver and used up by the body very slowly. The water-soluble vitamins include C and the B complex vitamins. The body uses these vitamins very quickly; excess amounts are eliminated in urine.
Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals is simply a word that means plant chemicals. Hundreds of phytochemicals are currently being studied. Many are believed to have a major positive impact on human health. Some contribute to the bright and vivid colors found in fruits and vegetables. The results of studies on specific phytochemicals are not necessarily applicable to the vegetables or fruits that harbor small concentrations of these chemicals. Nevertheless, it is obvious that vegetables and fruits are healthful, which is probably due to some balance of phytochemicals, carotenoids, vitamins, fibers, and minerals rather than any single substance. It should be stressed that very little has been proven concerning the benefits of phytochemical supplements sold in health food stores. Furthermore, high concentrations of some of these chemicals may behave like drugs and can be toxic and possibly even contribute to cancer cell growth.
Carotenoids
Carotenoids are a group of more than 700 compounds that produce the red, yellow, and orange colors found in many fruits and vegetables. Beta carotene (also called provitamin A) is the most widely studied carotenoid, but others are proving to be of great interest. Carotenoids are neither vitamins nor phytochemicals, but are proving to be very important for health. Currently there is no recommended daily allowance for carotenoids, including beta carotene.
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| Related Site |
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Glyconutrients : Mannatech is the world leader in Glyconutrients research and development and with Sam Caster at the head the company is destined for great things.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) : Information includes deficiency signs, good foods high in the vitamin, functions, and suggested dosage.
Consumer Guide to Vitamin B-6 : Vitamin B6 is the master vitamin for processing amino acids—the building blocks of all proteins and some hormones. Vitamin B6 helps to make and take apart many amino acids and is also needed to make the hormones, serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine.
Vitamin B6 aids in the formation of several neurotransmitters and is therefore an essential nutrient in the regulation of mental processes and possibly mood.
Vitamin B6 : Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that was first isolated in the 1930s. There are three traditionally considerd forms of vitamin B6: pyridoxal (PL), pyridoxine (PN), pyridoxamine (PM). The phosphate ester derivative pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) is the principal coenzyme form and has the most importance in human metabolism (1-3).
Vitamin B-6 : This is one in a series of fact sheets containing information to help you select foods that provide adequate daily amounts of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber as you follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Guidelines are -
. Eat a Variety of Foods
. Maintain Desirable Weight
. Avoid Too Much Fat, Saturated Fat, and Cholesterol
. Eat Foods with Adequate Starch and Fiber
. Avoid Too Much Sugar
. Avoid Too Much Sodium
.
Zest for Life: Vitamin B3-Niacin : Niacin also called nicotinic acid, niacinamide or nicotinic acid and referred to as vitamin B 3, which can be manufactured by the body. Niacin is derived from two compounds - nicotinic acid and niacinamide.
Vitamin B6 : Gives RDA intake, food sources rich in pyridoxine, functions, and possible deficiency signs.
Womenshealth.gov: Folic Acid - Easy to Read : The US government has prepared an easy to read guide to help women decide how much folic acid they should take every day and tells them how to make sure they are getting enough. Includes a printer friendly version in pdf format.
Vitamin B12 - The Linus Pauling Institute : Vitamin B12 has the largest and most complex chemical structure of all the vitamins. It is unique among vitamins in that it contains a metal ion, cobalt. For this reason cobalamin is the term used to refer to compounds having vitamin B12 activity. Methylcobalamin and 5-deoxyadenosyl cobalamin are the forms of vitamin B12 used in the human body (1). The form of cobalamin used in most supplements, cyanocobalamin, is readily converted to 5-deoxyaden
Iron Trace Element : Iron is an essential element carrying oxygen, forming part of the oxygen-carrying proteins - hemoglobin in red blood cells and myoglobin in muscles. It is also a component of various enzymes and is concentrated in bone marrow, liver, and spleen.
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