The pocket guide to Vitamins


Vitamin A

Vitamin A is fat soluble. It requires fats as well as minerals to be properly absorbed by your digestive tract. It dosn't need to be replenished every day as it can be stored. It has two forms, preformed vitamin A, (RETINOL), and provitamin A,(CAROTENE).

WHAT IT CAN DO

  • Counteract night blindness, weak eyesight, aid in many eye disorders
  • Build resistance to respiriatory infections.
  • Shorten the duration of diseases.
  • Keep the outer layers of your tissues and organs healthy.
  • Promote growth, strong bones, healthy skin, hair, teeth, and gums.
  • Help in the removal of age spots.
  • Help treat acne, impetigo, boils, carbuncles, and open ulcers when applied externally.

    NATURAL SOURCES:

  • Fish liver oil,liver, carrots, green and yellow vegetables, eggs, milk and dairy products, margerine and yellow fruits.

    TOXICITY:

  • More than 100,000 IU daily can produce toxic effects in adults.
  • Symptoms include hair loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, scaly skin, blurred vision, rashes, bone pain, fatigue and headaches.

    Vitamin B1 (THIAMINE)

    Water soluble, (all B-complex vitamines are water soluble). Any excess is not stored by the body, but is excreted and must be replenished on a daily basis. B vitamins are synergistic which means they work better together than by themselves. The RDA is 1.4mg per day. B1 has a mild diuretic effect.

    WHAT IT CAN DO:

  • Promote growth.
  • Aid digestion, especially of carbohydrates.
  • Improve your mental attitude.
  • Keep nervous system, muscles, and heart functioning normally.
  • Help fight air or seasickness.
  • Relieve dental post-operative pain.
  • AId in treatment for Herpes zoster.

    BEST NATURAL SOURCES

  • Dried yeast, rice husks, whole wheat, oatmeal, peanuts, pork, most vegetables, bran and milk.

    TOXICITY:

  • No known toxicity as any exess will be excreated in the urine.

    Vitamin B2 (RIBOFLAVIN)

    Water soluble. Easily absorbed. The amount excreted depends on bodily needs and may be accompanied by protein loss. Also known as vitamin G. The RDA is 1.5 mg per day. Increased need in stress situations.

    WHAT IT CAN DO:

  • Aid in growth and reproduction.
  • Promote healthy skin, nails and hair.
  • Help eliminate sore mouth, lips, and tongue.
  • Benifit vision, alleviate eye fatigue.
  • Function with other substances to metabolise carbohydrates, fats and protiens

    BEST NATURAL SOURCES:

  • Milk, liver, kidney, yeast, cheese, leafy green vegetables, fish and eggs.

    TOXICITY:

  • No known toxic effects

    Vitamin B6 (PYRIDOXINE)

    Water soluble. Excreted within 8 hours after ingestion. Requirement increased when high-protein diets are consumed. Must be present for the production of antibodies and red blood cells. The RDA is 2.0mg daily. B6 is required for the absorption of vitamin B12

    WHAT IT CAN DO

  • Properly assimilate protien and fat.
  • Aid in the conversion of TRYPTOPHAN, an essential amina acid, to NIACIN.
  • Help prevent varios nervous and skin disorders.
  • Alleviate nausea.
  • Promote proper synthesis of antiaging nucleic acids.
  • Reduce night muscle spasms, leg cramps, hand numbness, certain forms of neuritis.
  • Works as a natural diuretic.

    NATURAL SOURCES

  • Brewers yeast, wheat bran, wheat germ, liver, kidney, heart, cabbage, milk, eggs and beef.

    TOXICITY

  • Daily doses of 2-10 grams can cause neurological disorders.
  • Daily doses over 500mg are not recomended.

    Vitamin B12 (COBALAMIN)

    Water soluble and effective in very small doses. Commonly known as the 'Red Vitamin', also CYANOCOBALAMIN. This vitamin is measured in micrograms, mcg. The only vitamin that contains essential mineral elements. Needs to be combined with calcium dyring absorbtion. RDA 3 mcg. A diet low in B1 and high in folic acid,(eg a vegetarian diet) often hides a vitamin B12 deficiency.

    WHAT IT CAN DO

  • Form and regenerate red blood cells, preventing anaemia.
  • Promote growth and increase appetite in children.
  • Increase energy.
  • Maintain a healthy nervous system.
  • Properley utilise fats, carbohydrates, and protein.
  • Relieve irritability.
  • Improve memory, concentration and balance.

    NATURAL SOURCES

  • Liver, beef, pork, eggs, milk, cheese, kidney.

    TOXICITY

  • No reported cases of toxicity even on mega dose regimens.

    Vitamin B13 (OROTIC ACID)

    Metabolises folic acid and vitamin B12. No RDA has been established

    WHAT IT CAN DO

  • Possibly prevent certain liver problems and premature aging.
  • Aid in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

    NATURAL SOURCES

  • Root vegetables, whey.

    TOXICITY

  • Not enough known.




    Vitamin B15 (PANGAMIC ACID)

    Water soluble. Measured in miligrams mg. Works in a similar way to vitamin E as an antioxidant. Introduced and approved by the Russians, the US Food and drug administration has doubts about it.

    WHAT IT CAN DO

  • Extend cell life span.
  • Neutralise the craving for liquor.
  • Speed recovery from fatigue.
  • Lower blood cholesterol levels.
  • Aid in protein synthesis.
  • Relieve symptoms of angina and asthma.
  • Reduce the effects of a hangover.

    NATURAL SOURCES

  • Brewers yeast, whole brown rice, whole grains, sesame seeds.

    TOXICITY

  • No reported side effects.

    Vitamin B17 (LAETRILE)

    This B vitamin is the only one not found in Brewers yeast. Chemically a compound of two sugar molecules, (BENZALDEHYDE and CYANIDE). Obtained from apricot pips. Daily doses most often used are .25 to 1.0g

    WHAT IT CAN DO

  • Reported to have specific cancer-controlling properties.

    NATURAL SOURCES

  • Kernels of Apricots, apples, cherries, peaches, plums, and nectarines.

    TOXICITY

  • Due to trace amounts of CYANIDE, no more than 1.0g at any one time.




    BIOTIN(COENZYME R or VITAMIN H)

    Water soluble and a member of the B complex family. Measured in micrograms mcg.Synthesis of Ascorbic acid requires Biotin. Essential for normal metabolism of fat and protein. The RDA is 150-300 mcg.

    WHAT IT CAN DO

  • Help hair from turning grey.
  • Help in preventive treatment for baldness.
  • Ease muscle pains.
  • Alleviate eczema and dermatitis.

    NATURAL SOURCES

  • Nuts, fruits, brewers yeast, beef liver, eggyolk, milk, kidney, rice.

    TOXICITY

  • No known cases of toxicity.