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Vitamins for Vitality!
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Table of Contents
All About Vitamins Essential Vitamins Supplemental Vitamins Vitamins for Children Vitamins for Pregnancy Vitamins for Seniors How are Vitamin Supplements Made Vitamin A Vitamin B12 Vitamin B6 Vitamin D Vitamin E Vitamin Deficiencies and Illness Clinical Trials and Research
All About Vitamins
Vitamins: Know What They Are and Why You Need Them
Vitamins are nutrients necessary for the regulation of many different bodily functions in animals and humans. They are important for the formation of tissues, blood cells, genetic material, hormones and chemicals for the nervous system. Vitamins can either be catalysts or coenzymes. As catalysts, vitamins bind with proteins to produce enzymes that will in turn produce essential chemical reactions within the body. As coenzymes, they act as chemical carriers from one body cell to the next.
The history of vitamins
Vitamins as we know them today were largely unknown thousands of years ago and whatever nutrients and benefits vitamins give were only received through the ingestion of food. Some of the ancient civilizations discovered through observation, experimentation or purely by accident that some foods seemed to offer relief or cures for certain illnesses and ailments. Ancient Egyptian doctors, for example, would prescribe liver to patients suffering from night blindness.
Certain vitamin benefits were also discovered long before they were named. The benefits of citrus fruits, for example, a known source of Vitamin C, was first extolled in the mid 1700s long before it was known that vitamins existed. It was first used to prevent and cure scurvy. Although successful, the practice was initially met with skepticism.
Then, in 1897, a Dutch scientist named Christiaan Eijkman discovered that unpolished rice helped prevent beriberi. The next year, another scientist, Frederick Hopkins, coined the term 'accessory factors', unknown substances that certain foods contained which contributed to health and well being.
It was only in the early 1900s when a Polish biochemist named Kazimierz Funk was able to isolate and identify a complex group of micronutrients. In 1912, the name 'vitamine' was proposed and used, considered to refer to what Hopkins called 'accessory factors'. The name was later changed to 'vitamin' in 1920.
Why we need vitamins
The human body can only produce one type of vitamin naturally and that is Vitamin D. The other vitamins must be taken either through diet or
supplements. The benefits of vitamins were discovered by using deprivation studies. Scientists were able to isolate different vitamins and determine that deficiencies led to certain illnesses, health risks and birth defects. As science progressed, vitamins made the jump from their natural sources such as plants and animals and became available in pill form.
Today, there are 13 different vitamins, categorized as fat soluble or water soluble. Fat soluble vitamins include Vitamins A, D, E and K and water soluble vitamins include the Vitamin B group and Vitamin C. Fat soluble vitamins, when they enter the body, are absorbed by the intestinal tract. It then joins the bloodstream. Fat soluble vitamins are more difficult to dissolve and excess amounts are often stored in the liver or in the body's fat. This means that it's not necessary to consume fat soluble vitamins every day.
Water soluble vitamins, on the other hand, are more readily expelled by the body through urine. Because they can’t be stored, it's often necessary that they are taken more frequently.
Vitamins in food
While vitamin supplements can often help replenish the body's supply, the best sources of vitamins still come from fruits, vegetables and animal products.
Here are excellent sources of different vitamins essential to health:
Vitamin A
Vitamin A can be sourced from dairy products such as milk, cream and cheese. It can also be found in animal liver, kidneys, meat and fish oils from halibut and cod. These foods do contain cholesterol and saturated fat, so if you prefer fruit and vegetable sources, try intensely colorful picks such as carrots, cantaloupes, pumpkins, squashes, sweet potatoes, spinach and broccoli. See the chapter on Vitamin A.
Vitamin B group
Vitamin B1 or thiamine can be found in cereals, whole grains, pasta, fish, meats and soybeans. Vitamin B3 or niacin can be found in lean meats, poultry, fish and dairy products. Legumes, nuts, eggs and enriched cereals and breads are also good sources.
Pantothenic acid, biotin and Vitamin B12 can be found in fish, eggs, poultry and dairy products. Vitamin B12 can also be sourced from shellfish and meat. See the chapter on the Vitamin B’s.
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid
When looking for Vitamin C, think citrus. Lemons, limes, oranges, cantaloupes, strawberries and grapefruits are rich in Vitamin C. So are turnip greens, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and broccoli.
Vitamin D
Although naturally produced by the body, Vitamin D needs to be replenished. It can be found in butter, margarine, cream, cheese and cereals. It is also found in oysters, fish and fortified foods.
Vitamin E
Also known as an excellent antioxidant, Vitamin E can be found in nuts, olives, wheat germ, spinach, seeds, corn and most green leafy vegetables.
Vitamin K
Bacteria found in the human intestines can produce Vitamin K but to ensure you get the right amount, eat cereals and vegetables such as spinach, cauliflower, cabbage and soybeans.
Essential Vitamins
Lucky Thirteen: the Essential Vitamins
Vitamins are important molecules that can allow our bodies to function properly. For instance, some vitamins work as catalytic molecules: they bind to important enzymes, and, as cofactors, work to make molecular reactions occur. Vitamins can also work as substrates: they are acted upon by different enzymes in the body, so that when they are broken down, their individual subunits can help the different body organs work better.
Vitamins can also serve as co-enzymes or carriers of molecules from one enzyme to another.
We can obtain vitamins through the food that we eat, although the latest technology has allowed scientists to produce some vitamins in the laboratory. These vitamins can be packaged individually as pills, or they can be packed with other vitamins into a multi-vitamin tablet that people can use to supplement their diets. Research has also shown that we all have a recommended daily intake or allowance of essential vitamins, a group of thirteen important molecules that our bodies absolutely need in order to
function properly and survive.
Vitamin A, which belongs to the retinoid group of vitamins, is soluble in fat. Vitamin A can be found in many orange foods, such as carrots or squash. Experts recommend a daily dose of nine hundred to three thousand micrograms of Vitamin A; an overdose of Vitamin A can result in a disease known as hypervitaminosis A, which, among others can cause people to have yellow or orange skin. Individuals who lack Vitamin A can suffer from night blindness; in fact, doctors recommend that children consume a lot of carrots so that these children’s eyes can develop properly.
Vitamin B1, or thiamine, is a water-soluble vitamin that is part of the B-complex group of vitamins. A debilitating disease called beriberi results when we take less than 1.2 milligrams of Vitamin B1 a day. So far, there is no upper limit for Vitamin B1 consumption.
Riboflavin, or Vitamin B2, is another B-complex group member and a water-soluble vitamin. Like the rest of the B-complex vitamins, riboflavin functions in keeping the integrity of the immune system. It has so far no upper limit for consumption, although taking less than 1.3 milligrams of Vitamin B2 a day can result in a disease called ariboflavinosis.
Another B-complex vitamin is niacin, or Vitamin B3. Water soluble and an immune system sustainer, niacin also functions in growth in young children. The allowable daily dose for Vitamin B3 is from sixteen to thirty-five milligrams; below this range, pellagra can result.
The water-soluble Vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, is another B-complex vitamin that not only functions in growth and immune system development, but can contribute to strength and energy as well. We are all required to consume at least five milligrams of Vitamin B5 each day; lower consumption can result in paresthesia, or numbness in certain parts of the body.
Pyridoxine, or Vitamin B6, also functions in proper growth and development, especially in young children. A water-soluble B-complex vitamin, pyridoxine must be consumed at a minimum of 1.3 to 1.7 milligrams a day; consumption of the vitamin beyond the hundred milligram mark is considered an overdose, and can result in some eye or perception disorders. Conversely, anemia can occur when the proper amounts of pyridoxine aren’t consumed.
Vitamin B7, or biotin, is another water soluble B-complex vitamin. Although no biotin-deficiency related diseases have been found, we are required to consume at least thirty micrograms of Vitamin B7 every day.
Folic acid, or Vitamin B9, is extremely important for developing children and pregnant mothers. This B-complex vitamin must be consumed at about four hundred to a thousand micrograms a day, or severe birth defects may result in pregnant mothers.
Cyanacobalamin, or Vitamin B12, functions in proper growth and development. About 2.4 micrograms of this water-soluble B-complex vitamin must be consumed each day. Anemia often results from Vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a highly important water-soluble essential vitamin that can be found in many fresh fruits and vegetables. Only ninety to two thousand milligrams should be consumed each day, or kidney damage can result. Vitamin C deficiency results in scurvy, which is manifested in cracked skin and a damaged immune system.
Vitamins D, E, and K are all fat soluble vitamins. Vitamin D helps support the body’s skeletal system by working in concert with calcium; it also aids in supporting the immune system. At least fifteen milligrams of Vitamin E must be consumed each day; Vitamin E aids in cell regeneration and wound healing, and is often credited with bringing life and youth to skin. Lastly, Vitamin K can aid in wound healing and blood clotting.
All these vitamins can be obtained from a balanced diet that is filled with lean meats and fresh fruits and vegetables. Always consult with your doctor on what vitamins you should be taking in higher amounts. With a healthier diet, you can have a better lifestyle, with thanks to essential vitamins that keep your body going.
Supplemental Vitamins
Good Things in Small Packages: Knowing your Supplemental Vitamins
Thanks to technology and more knowledge about vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients that the human body should have, doctors now have a wider, wonderful arsenal of ways to keep us healthy. One of these is vitamin tablets, which we can take during or after meals in order to supplement the nutrients that we get from our food. Because of our speedier, but often dangerous lifestyle, we tend to eat less nutritious food that is more convenient than healthful. As a result, we miss out on important vitamins that we can get only from the freshest fruits and vegetables, and the leanest meat.
Taking supplemental vitamins or dietary supplements therefore, can help ensure that we receive the right amounts of essential vitamins and minerals
that our bodies are required to have each day. The contents of vitamin supplements are well measured, so that taking one pill can help you receive the right amount of essential vitamins and minerals. Most of the essential vitamins have a minimum requirement for daily consumption; some vitamin deficiencies can lead to debilitating, sometimes even fatal diseases.
For instance, we need at least ninety milligrams of the essential vitamin ascorbic acid, or Vitamin C. Although we can obtain this vitamin from regular servings of orange or lemon juice, vegetables, and sometimes even from fortified candies, we don’t always have the chance to pick up fresh fruit or vegetables, drink fresh juice, or buy Vitamin C fortified candy. We aren’t able to constantly monitor our Vitamin C intake. Vitamin C deficiency can lead to a number of disorders, among them scurvy, which can cause the skin and nails to crack; and some immune system disorders, as the immune system needs ascorbic acid in order to function.
We can therefore see how important supplemental vitamins are. They can make life more convenient for us, so that if we miss out on the regular doses of essential vitamins, we can still take a small pill and get the vitamins that our bodies need. This convenience shouldn’t deceive you, however: taking supplemental vitamins doesn’t exempt anyone from eating fresh fruit and vegetables along with lean meats in the context of a balanced diet. As their
name implies, supplemental vitamins merely support a good diet; the supplemental vitamins don’t replace them.
Supplemental vitamins, moreover, shouldn’t be taken indiscriminately. Indeed, many doctors discourage buying supplemental vitamins over the counter unless a patient has been checked and assessed completely. This is because some vitamins can only be taken in moderate amounts, beyond which they can, in turn, exacerbate certain medical conditions. Further, some vitamins can interfere with medications; for instance, some painkillers can be destroyed by acids, so if you are taking ascorbic acid, you may need to wait a while before taking your painkillers.
Because of the promise of dietary supplements, some countries have passed legislation in the hope of curbing indiscriminate use of supplements. For instance, the United States government requires that all advertisements featuring dietary supplements should also contain a disclaimer that the dietary supplement isn’t designed to treat any specific diseases, that the supplement isn’t made to prevent or cure any disorder, and that the supplement has no health claims that have been evaluated or discovered by the United States Food and Drug Administration, or FDA.
Many bottles of supplemental vitamins sold in the United States not only have
this disclaimer, but also contain descriptions of the vitamins in the supplement. This is because some vitamins present in supplements are different in molecular form and chemistry from the vitamins that are found in food. Moreover, most bottles of supplemental vitamins exhort the consumer to always consult with his or her physician before taking any supplemental vitamins.
If you are consuming supplemental vitamins, take only one pill a day, or as recommended by your doctor. Avoid self diagnosis. Read the label of your vitamin bottle, and look through the amounts of vitamins present in each pill. You will need to consume some vitamins at a recommended amount, or you may suffer from vitamin poisoning. For instance, iron is often added to vitamin supplements, but at extremely high doses, iron can damage the kidneys.
Moreover, look at the rest of the nutrients and, possibly, herbal additives in the vitamin supplement. Some supplements come with ginseng, an herb that has been found to increase energy, but which can be dangerous if you have high blood pressure. Always check with your doctor on what herbs are good for you, and what you might have to avoid. Although vitamin supplements cater to keeping you healthy, you should still do your utmost to ensure that you aren’t endangered by them.
Vitamins for Children
Pros and Cons of Vitamins for Children: Do They Really Need Them?
Health experts say that children who eat foods based on the recommended food guide pyramid don’t necessarily need vitamin supplements. This type of diet contains all the necessary vitamins and nutrients that your child needs.
However, some factors may affect the way you prepare foods and eventually lose the vitamins contained in the food. Also, some children are just picky eaters, hence, they acquire too little nutrients to supply their daily needs.
Now the question is: In cases like this, is it advisable for parents to provide their children with vitamin supplements to cover up for whatever is lacking in their diet? Is it safe and effective to use vitamin supplements?
By definition, vitamins are elements needed by the body for proper function and promotion of normal body processes. With this, you can directly conclude that people, old and young alike, need vitamins to be healthy. And because it is a well-known fact that children don’t get enough vitamins from the food that they eat, vitamin supplements are deemed necessary.
But is this really the case? As much as people contend the viability of vitamin supplements for children, some health experts contend that they aren’t that necessary. Besides, excessive intake of vitamins may do more harm than good.
So what is the bottom line? To understand more, here are some pros and cons about vitamins for children:
Pros
1. They promote cell growth
As children grow, so do their bodies. However, to facilitate cell growth, children need vitamins. Vitamins take part in the development of blood cells and other tissues in the body.
2. Vitamins serve as antioxidants
Most vitamins serve as antioxidants. Hence, vitamins also act as preservatives by inhibiting the oxidation process or disintegration of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Antioxidants combat the free radicals in the body. Hence, children are assured of effective protection against diseases.
3. Aids digestion
Some vitamins contain fiber, which aids in proper digestion of the body. Lack of fiber may cause problems in the bowel and may even cause more serious problems such as circulatory disorders.
Vitamins also act as coenzymes because they help in conveying these different tasks.
Cons
1. Excess vitamins can cause greater health problems.
Most people disregard this, but health experts and various studies show that excess vitamins can cause serious health problems.
Let us take for example excessive intake of vitamin A. Letting your children take vitamin A more than the recommended dietary supplement, may cause serious problems in the nervous system.
Another example is vitamin D. Excessive intake of vitamin D may cause
calcium resorption, which can lead to increased calcium in the blood. When this happens, functions of the soft tissues in the body, such as the lungs and the heart, may be lessened or reduced.
Excessive intake of vitamin C may cause severe diarrhea or watery stools. It can also reduce the amount of copper in the body.
2. Too much dependency
Some parents tend to allocate their child’s need for nutrients to the vitamin supplements available on the market. This is especially true to parents who can no longer prepare a healthy diet for their children because of a hectic schedule at work.
Hence, they tend to delegate their children’s vitamin requirements to supplements, which in reality, may be taken in great amounts. This goes to show how parents can be vulnerable sometimes especially if they want the best for their kids and are very busy with their hectic schedules.
Plus, non-monitoring of children taking vitamins can also bring forth cases of excessive intake, where children usually enjoy taking vitamins that are available as tasty, chewable vitamins in colorful tasty shapes.
3. Odor and taste
Contrary to number two, some vitamins just don’t smell or taste that good. Take for example vitamin B. Children find it hard to take vitamins that have repulsive tastes or smell.
All of these things lay down various options for parents to decide whether they have to give their children vitamins or not.
Indeed, the need for the accessibility of vitamins for children can’t be rejected and so it is important to know the necessary vitamins required for children. However, parents should also take note that vitamins should be regarded as something that is as delicate and destructive as any drug on the market. Hence, utmost care in choosing the best vitamins for your children is extremely important.
Vitamins for Pregnancy
Vitamins for Pregnancy: Supplements that Help When You're Eating for Two
You can’t drink this. You can’t drink that. Women are being put on trial for
engaging in unhealthy behaviors during pregnancy. Of course, things like doing drugs or drinking alcohol are indeed very dangerous to your baby. After all, everything a pregnant woman eats, drinks, and breathes will reach her fetus through the placenta.
Now, the question is: Are vitamins included? What are the vitamins recommended for pregnant women? What will be the effects? Here’s the real truth about the vitamins pregnant women can and can’t get away with right now.
Vitamins Essential for Moms-To-Be
1. Vitamin C
This vitamin is important in the manufacturing of your baby’s blood vessels, bones, and the whole skeletal system. Vitamin C helps produce collagen, a protein responsible for producing your baby’s skeletal foundation. Vitamin C is also known as skin food because it feeds your skin as well as your baby’s skin with the right nutrients to help build healthy skin. As an antioxidant, it can also help you and your baby fight free radicals or delay the oxidation process.
Since your body can’t produce vitamin C, unlike most animals, and it can’t
store it either, it is important that you get your daily supply of vitamins from supplements and foods rich in vitamin C, such as citrus foods, vegetables, and fruits.
2. Foliate
Foliate, a B vitamin, is another nutrient necessary for the production of healthy red blood cells. And not everybody gets enough.
Foliate is found primarily in fresh fruits and vegetables, and people who eat a lot of canned or pre-packaged foods can become deficient. Pregnant women who live alone and don’t want to cook for one are especially at risk for anemia caused by foliate deficiency.
Health experts suggest that a few servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day are the best bet for prevention. If you can’t bear Brussels Sprouts, consider taking a daily nutritional supplement with 400 micrograms, the Daily Value of folic acid (the supplemental form of foliate).
3. Vitamin A
A daily intake of vitamin A between 10,000 and 15,000 IU (international units)
may also provide healthy bones, skin, and eyes to your baby as well as healthy cells needed to build your baby’s internal organs.
However, pregnant women should speak with their doctors before supplementing their diet with vitamin A. Studies show that excessive intake of vitamin A can bring about birth defects, such as ear and eye abnormalities, microcephaly or small head, cleft lip and palate, hydrocephaly or enlargement of the fluid-filled places in the brain, mental retardation, or heart defects.
Statistics show that pregnant women who consume more than 10,000 IU of vitamin A can lead to birth defects in 1 of every 57 infants. Also, excessive intake of vitamin A during pregnancy can cause higher risks of miscarriage.
4. Vitamin D
When researchers in a certain study measured levels of vitamin D in pregnant women, they saw that the more vitamin D in the blood, the better the insulin was at delivering glucose to the muscles. So vitamin D is an important nutrient for many other reasons as well, such as helping produce healthy teeth, tissue, and bones for your baby and may help your body derail diabetes. Studies show that diabetes in pregnant women can be very risky and may even cause birth defects or morbidity.
Though vitamin D is produced when your skin is exposed to sunlight, a more reliable year-round source is milk. Four 8-ounce glasses of fat-free milk everyday can get you to the Daily Value of 400 IU. Alternatively, you can supplement your diet with 400 IU of vitamin D.
5. Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 facilitates the formation of hemoglobin, the red blood cell component that carries oxygen through the bloodstream. During pregnancy, more hemoglobin is required to supply your baby with oxygen. And the fetus also uses this vitamin to build its own blood supply.
Your body needs vitamin B12 to create red blood cells. This vitamin is found in chicken, red meat, dairy products, eggs, and fish, but not in plant foods. Most people get plenty, but super-strict vegetarians who don’t eat any non-vegetable foods are at risk for a deficiency of vitamin B12 and anemia. The solution is to take a daily nutritional supplement that contains at least double the Daily Value of B12 (six micrograms).
Keep in mind that baby’s health depends on the mothers way of getting the proper amount of vitamins, so pregnant women can’t afford to skimp. Hence,
pregnant women should make sure that they get enough of the nutrients every day.
Vitamins for Seniors
Vitamins for Seniors: The Anti-Aging Pill
Every heard of the anti-aging pills known as vitamins? If not, read on.
Vitamin Supplements as Anti-Aging Pills
Some health experts believe that vitamins may be the single most effective way to lengthen life. In the largest biological study of human life and death, health organizations today reviewed the habits and histories of more than a million people over 40 years and found that death rates were significantly higher among those who did not take vitamins or health supplements.
Mortality rates dropped as vitamin intake was increased, and researchers concluded that vitamins warded off heart disease and stroke and helped prolong life. With this, experts say that vitamins are the closest thing to an anti-aging pill.
Vitamins Applicable for Seniors
Vitamins are powerful as a drug and should be prescribed and used as carefully as any other drug. However, dangers may come when excessive intake is manifested. Especially for seniors, high doses of certain vitamins may cause serious health problems such as kidney damage, liver destruction, heart problems, etc.
Keep in mind that as people get older, the signs of aging can hamper the growth of new cells, hence, the body is vulnerable to diseases. That is why certain vitamins are prescribed or advised to seniors for proper nourishment.
For instance, as you get age, you will loose the abundant production of elastin and collagen in the skin, hence, wrinkles appear. But with the help of vitamin C, an antioxidant, your body will be able to produce collagen and elastin, which maintains skin elasticity and strength.
Generally, vitamin supplements that are fit for seniors are those that help in maintaining normal cell growth and repair. This is because one of the major signs of aging is the weakening production of cell growth. That is why older people acquire white hair, wrinkled skin, and memory lapses.
Vitamins C and E, which are antioxidants, counteract the destructive matters known as free radicals. Health experts say that the damage caused by these elements may promote cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Vitamin D is vital for healthy bones. As people grow older, they lose the bone density in their bodies. And when people lack calcium, bones tend to consume their mass faster than before. Hence, bones become fragile and weak. This is when osteoporosis sets in.
So what can these fitness concepts tell you? Why should older people take vitamins?
Think about the years of your future. A man or woman of 50 can look forward to a quarter-century of life. And the longer you live, the longer you can expect to live. Consider some statistics: The life expectancy for the average American male is 73 years; for the average female, 79 years. Yet a man who reaches 65 can expect to live another 16 years. If he makes it to 85, he can look forward to another 6 years. A 65-year-old woman has a life expectancy of 19 years; an 85-year-old woman, seven years.
Most senior citizens are increasing in numbers even more rapidly than the youngsters between 50 and 75. And as the world heads for another century,
youth may still be served.
But quality of life may be far more crucial than quantity. Living well, not simply surviving longer, is our ultimate goal. Today’s men and women over 50 can actually get healthier as they grow older. With the help of vitamins, people can easily combat the signs of aging. Health experts say that they have seen men and women in their seventies become more fit and vigorous than they have ever been before.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that vitamins can cure all that ails you. Experts have not yet discovered the fabled Fountain of Youth, nor did health practitioners ever set out to do so. There isn’t any vitamin supplement made to stretch your way to eternal youth.
But these vitamin supplements have helped many older people look and feel better than before. The kind of vigor that vitamins bring to people are totally unmatched by any forms of anti-aging items. And even though health experts can’t guarantee that regular intake of vitamin supplements will add years to your life, it does hold the rich promise of adding life to your years.
How are Vitamin Supplements Made
How Vitamin Supplements are Made and Choosing the Right Ones
Vitamin supplements are just another kind of dietary supplement but with its primary content made up of the specified vitamin it promotes.
Like all other dietary supplements, vitamin supplements have labels with this particular disclaimer displayed: this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. So from there on, it should be clear to you that vitamin supplements can’t heal illnesses or diseases of any sort, but it can promote good health.
What are Vitamins?
Before we move on to tackling vitamin supplements, let’s review and make sure you understand what vitamins are in the first place.
Vitamins are organic compounds found either within your body or in external sources like food. There are two types of vitamins: fat soluble and water soluble. Vitamins play catalytic functions in your body; in other words, it helps make good things happen.
The Role of Vitamin Supplements
In many countries, vitamin supplements are placed under the food category instead of drugs. This is correct because once again, vitamin supplements aren’t’t intended to heal anyone of anything. If you see any vitamin supplement labeled otherwise, chances are that those products haven’t been properly evaluated by the US Department of Food and Drug Administration.
You should take vitamin supplements if your body is inherently deficient of a specific vitamin. Naturally, vitamin supplements will help with the created gap. It’s also good to take vitamin supplements if your diet isn’t balanced and healthy due to hectic schedules.
Vitamin supplements shouldn’t be considered as adequate replacements of actual vitamins found in foods. Vitamins found in foods are in its purest form which allows you to enjoy 100% benefit from it. Also, vitamins in foods can interact with other vitamins and substances in a way that vitamin supplement are unable to. Also, eating healthy foods lets you increase intake of other essential minerals that aren’t offered by vitamin supplements.
How to Choose the Right Vitamin Supplements
Tip #1 Always look for the USP label on whatever vitamin supplement you wish
to take. USP stands for US Pharmacopeia and it simply means that the FDA had successfully approved and licensed its distribution and use since it passed the departments safety and quality control tests.
Tip #2 Labels for vitamin supplements or any other dietary supplement for that matter which contain the following details. If any category is missing, you’re probably holding an unsafe product in your hands.
Statement of Identity
What is it? If its a vitamin supplement, this must be
clearly noted as well as which vitamin its supplementing the body with.
Net Quantity of Contents How many capsules or tablets does it contain? How many milligrams does each tablet contain? If it’s in liquid form, what is its quantity? Disclaimer Besides the other disclaimer already provided above, the vitamin
supplement should include these words: this statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Directions of Use
It’s impossible for any vitamin supplement to be produced
without any specific directions of use. When can you take it and should there be any other conditions to meet before you can take it?
Supplement Facts Panel This includes the chart you commonly see on labels, detailing the ingredients used for making the vitamin supplement. Research each ingredient. Don’t be lazy with this because its your health at stake!
Manufacturing Information
Lastly, your vitamin supplement label should
include details about who manufactured the product, where and when it was manufactured and its expiration date. Contact details should also be provided in the event that you have inquiries or concerns regarding the product. Research about the manufacturing company and inquire with the Better Business Bureau about them.
Tip #3 Natural isn’t always good. Even if you see that a vitamin supplement is labeled as natural in big bold letters, this doesn’t mean you’re completely safe. Think of wild poisonous mushrooms; they’re natural alright, but they’re toxic as well.
Vitamin supplements are essentially good as long as you take them for the right reasons. Again, remember not to use them as a replacement for healthy living. To avoid making the wrong decision, research extensively before purchasing any product, or better yet, consult your doctor for advice.
Vitamin A
Everything You Need To Know About Vitamin A
Vitamin A is important to the body. It isn’t only a single compound, it comes in various forms. It comes in the form of alcohol as retinol, as well as aldehyde in the form of retinal. It also comes in the form of acid which is retinoic acid.
Vitamin A contains a Beta-ionone ring which is attached to an isoprenoid chain. This is the normal structure of the Vitamin A nutrient. Retinol is the animal form and is a fat-soluble and anti-oxidant vitamin that is important to a persons vision as well as bone growth.
It is a retinoid that is chemically related to one another. This is also used in medicines.
RDA for Vitamin A as supervised by the Food and Nutrition Board is that a daily dosage must be taken in order to support the normal functioning of the body; be it immune functions, reproductive functions, genes or visions.
For infants up to 6 months old, they are required to have an intake of 400 mcg. For infants that are 7 to 12 months old, they are required 500 mcg. For
children 1 to 3 years of age, they must have 300 mcg. For children 4 to 8 years of age, they are required to have 400 mcg. For children 9 to 13, they must have 600 mcg. For teenagers 14 to 18 years old, the males must have 900 mcg while the females are okay with 700 mcg. For adults, males are required to have 900 mcg while females must have 700 mcg.
Vitamin A intake also varies for pregnant women. Women aged 18 years or younger must have 750 mcg. Pregnant women who are 19 years and older must have 770 mcg. The Vitamin A intake also changes when the female is breastfeeding. For those younger than 18, they are required to have 1200 mcg. For those who are 19 and older, they must have 1300 mcg.
Vitamin A may be found in yellow and orange vegetables. Green vegetables contain carotenoids too. There are a number of healthy foods which contain Vitamin A and retinol. These are cod liver oil, breakfast cereals, eggs, butter, milk, sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupes, spinach, squash and butternut.
Vitamin A deficiency results in:
1. Nyctalopia or Night Blindness This is a condition which makes it impossible or difficult for the individual to see in a low light scenario. This is the symptom of other eye diseases.
Night blindness may be apparent at birth or it may be rooted from the lack of Vitamin A. This is a disorder that affects the rod cells found in the retina. The rod cells lose their ability in responding toward the light. People who suffer this disease have poor vision in the dark.
2. Xeroxis or Corneal Drying This may have different causes which includes dehydration, diabetes and lack of Vitamin A. The treatment is symptomatic. You can consult with an eye doctor. The usual diagnosis is eye drops.
3. Bitot's Spots These are triangular spots found in the eyes. They are similar to floaters (which are like spider webs in the eyes.) Just like xeroxis, this can be cured by eye drops prescribed by eye doctors.
4. Xerophthalmia This is a medical condition where the eye can’t produce tears. It is caused by the lack of Vitamin A. It also implies a dryness that is destructive to the epithelium. The condition usually occurs in developing countries because of its environment and surrounding. Other forms of xeropthalmia come with aging, scarring from injuries or autoimmune diseases like arthritis.
5. Keratomalacia Is an eye ailment that leads to the cornea drying up. It may also be caused by dehydration as much as it is caused by lack of Vitamin A. Now this is quite dangerous because it might lead to glaucoma and the individual may lose his or her sight permanently if not remedied as soon as possible.
Vitamin A deficiency is considered to be risky especially if it results in other diseases such as respiratory problems and infection. It affects children more than it affects adults. Those who lack Vitamin A eventually suffer diarrhea and measles. Those who are already HIV-infected and lack Vitamin A have a harder time getting cured.
Vitamin B12 The Lowdown on Vitamin B12
The body actually needs a small amount of Vitamin B12 (also known as coalmine because it contains cobalt) and yet every person is encouraged to take this vitamin either through eating foods high in Vitamin B12 or through supplements because it is not well absorbed by the body. It is one of the most complex vitamins and it exists in many forms or compounds that are basically
known as cobalamins:
Methylcobalamin-Vitamin B12 used by the body Cynanocobalami-Vitamin B12 used in supplements
Sources of Vitamin B12
Vitamins B12 is primarily found in dairy products, meat and eggs. Research shows that there is a possibility of sourcing Vitamin B12 from plants, seaweeds and soy products. However, a closer study showed that there is no significant B12 content from these sources. Nori (the same green seaweed used in wrapping sushi) showed significant levels of B12 but it was attributed to compounds that are similar to B12 in terms of structure.
Here are some foods that contain some amount of Vitamin B12 Liver Mollusks Salmon, Tuna and Trout Beef (the sirloin part) Tacos and Cheeseburger Yogurt
It would be important to note that human waste contains Vitamin B12. This was discovered after vegetarians got their required B12 content from vegetables that were grown using human waste as fertilizer. However, a person may think twice before sourcing his Vitamin B12 from such circumstances. Incidentally, vegetarians lack the necessary daily Vitamin B12 requirement because they don’t eat meat products. Thus, they can get heir B12 requirement from supplements.
Why is Vitamin B12 necessary? A person needs only two micrograms of Vitamin B12 every day for the following purposes:
Red blood cells synthesis-Vitamin B12 is an important factor in red blood cell formation (particularly in the production of DNA). Failure to meet the B12 requirement can result to anemia. However, folic acid can remedy this problem (although excessive intake of folic acid can trigger the effects of such deficiency).
Development and maintenance of the Nervous system- Myelin is an important component and protecting sheath of the nerves and Vitamin B12 helps in myelin maintenance through the sustenance of fatty acids.
Growth and development-lack of Vitamin B12 can impede the development not only of the nerves but also the whole bodies systems.
Sleep disturbances- B12 is used in regulating the cycles and sleeping and waking up through a substance called melatonin so a B12 deficiency can possibly affect sleeping patterns.
Alzheimer’s dementia-the most damaging effects of B12 deficiency is damage to the brain and the nervous system.
While Americans have been faithful in their required daily intake of Vitamin B12, health researchers however found that there is still a good chance for deficiency if a person is unable to absorb B12 from his food intake and no supplement is being taken. This is common among people who have stomach disorders limiting their B12 absorption. The following are some of the symptoms of B12 deficiency.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Breathlessness Poor Immune System Tiredness Menstrual problems for women Sore Tongue
Contraindications
While Vitamin B12 is usually sourced from natural food and its intake generally
safe, taking in large doses of B12 supplements can have negative effects for people who are on medication.
A person who is taking in PPI or proton pump inhibitors (medication for peptic ulcer as well as GERD or gastro esophageal reflux disease) and the intake of H2 receptor antagonists (medications for peptic ulcers) may have a problem with B12 absorption as PPI slows down the discharge of hydrochloric acid which is necessary in releasing B12. On the other hand, the intake of Metformin for diabetes can also affect calcium metabolism which in turn interferes with B12 absorption.
While the intake of B12 supplements is generally safe due to its low toxicity potential, it should however be regulated by doctors for safety purposes. Adults are particularly encouraged to take in B12 supplements as their potential for low B12 absorption is greater.
The problem in diagnosing deficiency in Vitamin B12 is that it can take so long for the symptoms and the corresponding side effects to be monitored. And when that time comes, the effects may already be too serious and require long term treatment.
Vitamin B6 Getting To Know Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 (also known as Pyridoxine, Pyridoxamine or Pyridoxal) is a vitamin that can easily be dissolved in water which means the body is not able to store it for a long time. This also means that a person should get a regular supply of Vitamin B6 since it is easily excreted through the urine.
Since this isn’t the most popular vitamin, you might wonder about the benefits brought by this vitamin to the body. Vitamin B6 is generally needed by the body for overall health. However, here are some specific functions of B6 to the body:
Protein Metabolism Metabolism of red blood cell Tryptophan conversion to niacin Proper functioning of the nervous system Proper functioning of the immune system Increases the oxygen level of hemoglobin Maintenance of sugar or blood glucose
Vitamin B6 plays a very important role in the maintenance of the bodies
systems and it is recommend that a person takes in at least 1.3 mg of Vitamin B6 daily (men and women below 50); 1.7 mg (men over 50); 1.5 mg (women over 50; 2 mg (women who are lactating) and 1.9 mg (women who are pregnant).
The good thing about Vitamin B6 is that it can be easily secured from plants (vegetables) and animal sources. Among the foods that contain Vitamin B6 are:
Liver Chicken Avocados Nuts Bananas Wheat germ Fortified cereals Flesh and skin of baked potato Chicken Breast Salmon and Tuna
Vitamin B6 is indeed an essential Vitamin for the bodies functions. Thus, a deficiency in this vitamin can lead to serious health conditions for a person.
How can a person become deficient in Vitamin B6? A person who has a poor diet and who doesn’t regularly take in foods rich in Vitamin B6 can become deficient. Alcoholics are also candidates for Vitamin B6 deficiency because alcohol destroys the presence of this vitamin in the body. Children with asthma and who are treated by tehophylline should get Vitamin B6 supplements as this medication results to a low storage of Vitamin B6 in the body.
Consider the following health problems for those who are deficient in Vitamin B6: 1. Pyroluria-is an illness related to chemical imbalance as a result of an abnormal synthesis of the hemoglobin. And because B6 is an important component in hemoglobin formation, its deficiency can cause this disease. 2. Irritability/Grumpiness/Depression-A person who exhibits this symptom can be deficient in Vitamin B6. However, studies don’t conclude that depression can be treated by Vitamin B6 supplements. 3. Dermatitis or skin disorders 4. Soreness of the tongue 5. Anemia
Vitamin B6 is popular as a supplemental treatment for:
Vitamin B6 supplements to prevent any harm from befalling the patient.
Premenstrual Syndrome-Vitamin B6 has been used to treat this condition which is more popularly known as PMS. However, there are reports of high toxicity among women taking this for PMS.
Carpal tunnel syndrome-There is no scientific evidence that taking in a minimum of 100 mg of Vitamin B6 daily can treat this illness. However, a lot of books are recommending this. It is important to consult with a doctor first to ensure the safety of the patient.
Taking Vitamin B6 either in supplements or from food sources is said to be instrumental in cutting back the risks resulting from Parkinson’s disease. However, the study is still non-conclusive.
It can be used to lessen the effects of a hangover as well as the pains of morning sickness usually experienced by pregnant women. It has been proven safe for pregnant women although a drug containing B6 was withdrawn from the market due to the high risk of birth defects among pregnant users.
The regular intake of Vitamin B6 as well as other substances like magnesium is said to be an effective treatment for autistic children.
Some people who may still be using Vitamin B6 supplements should be careful
of a possible overdose. A Vitamin B6 (particularly from supplements not from food sources) overdose can result in a deadening or numbing of the arms and legs, also known as sensory neuropathy in the medical world. However, such a condition can be reversed once the taking in of the Vitamin B6 is stopped.
Vitamin D All You Need To Know About Vitamin D
The adage popularized by older people about exposing babies and children to the sun early in the morning to get Vitamins has a medical basis indeed as shown by medical information confirming that Vitamin D can indeed be sourced from sun rays. But there is more to Vitamin D than just being synthesized through the sun.
Like most Vitamins which can be sourced from food, Vitamin D is sourced not only from the UV rays of the sun but also from various food groups. However, a person who wants a free dose of this vitamin can get it by exposing himself to the sun as the latter triggers the synthesis of Vitamin D in the skin.
Vitamin D per se doesn’t do wonders for the body (although there are some forms that are active like Calciferol) because it needs to be chemically converted into dihydroxyvitamin D. The conversion is done with the help of the
kidneys and the liver. This form of Vitamin D is important as it is responsible for:
stimulating phosphorus and calcium absorption helps in formation of strong bones along with the other Vitamins and minerals, Vitamin D promotes the mineralization of bones
help in the maintenance of a healthy immune system preventing rickets (for children) preventing osteomalacia (for adults) regulates growth of cells
A person who wants to get a regular dose of Vitamin D can look for fortified foods or regular food groups that have substantial content of this vitamin. Vitamin D can be sourced from the following food sources.
Cooked mackerel and salmon Canned tuna fish and sardines Milk (whether whole milk, reduced fat milk, nonfat milk, or milk fortified with Vitamin D)
Margarine fortified with Vitamin D Cereals fortified with Vitamin D
Egg yolk (although eating the whole egg is advisable) Swiss cheese Cooked beef and liver sunlight
While sunlight is considered an important source of Vitamin D there are factors that affect the synthesis of this vitamin in the skin like smog, pollution, cloud cover, time of the day when exposed, season and the use of sunscreen (sunscreen with at least an SPF 8 will inhibit the exposure to UV rays of the sun). A 10-minute exposure to the rays of the sun may be enough to allow Vitamin D synthesis and a person should apply sunscreen with SPF 15 to protect his skin from the damaging effects of the sun.
A person who wants to maintain healthy bones should make sure he gets Adequate Intake of Vitamin D. Here is a guide to the daily AI of Vitamin D (in International Units or IU) according to age bracket:
Newborns up to 13 years old-200 IU Men and women who are 14 to 18 years old-200IU Men and women who are 51 to 70 years old-400 IU Men and women who are over 71 years of age-600 IU Pregnant women 14 to 50 years old-200 IU
Lactating women 14 to 50 years old-200 IU
Despite the availability of sunlight and foods containing Vitamin D, deficiency can still occur among all age groups due to a lot of factors including absorption defects (problem with the kidney resulting to failure in conversion), inadequate diet, lack of sun exposure, and increasing requirement of the Vitamin. Among those who usually experience Vitamin D deficiency are vegetarians, people who are lactose intolerant as well as those with milk allergies.
Effects of Vitamin D deficiency
A person who is deficient in Vitamin D can be susceptible to bone-related diseases like:
1. Rickets-This is a disease of the bone which is characterized by deformities in the bones. This occurs when the body fails to mineralize the bone tissues properly due to lack of Vitamin D. Research however shows that this can be reversed with the daily intake of up to 3 teaspoons of cod liver oil. The
prevalence of Rickets among Americans resulted to the mandatory Vitamin D fortification on milk.
2. Osteomalacia-This is a bone disease identified with adults and is characterized by weak muscles and bones. The problem is that such deficiency can’t be easily detected until bone weakness and other bone-related diseases shows up which can take a long time. Americans who are over 50 years of age are more susceptible to getting this disease because their skin is no longer as efficient in synthesizing Vitamin D. The same goes for their kidneys. Vitamin D supplements are thus recommended for these people.
3. Osteoporosis-Whiles this disease is more identified with lack of calcium resulting to fragile bones, this is also one of the long terms effects of Vitamin D deficiency. A person with enough Vitamin D in his bones will have lesser chances of getting osteoporosis.
If Vitamin D deficiency can result in bone-related diseases, too much intake of Vitamin D can also be a health hazard as it can cause vomiting, nausea, weight loss and constipation. However, a person who relies on the sun for his Vitamin D is safe from toxicity. Those taking in supplements should be more careful not to go overboard.
Vitamin E All About Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and is an antioxidant that is necessary in the body. Vitamin E exists in eight forms called isomers, four of which are tocopherols and the other four are tocotrienols.
All the isomers have chromanol rings with hydroxyl groups which provide the hydrogen atom the material to reduce the free radicals to make a hydrophobic side chain which penetrates through the biological membranes of the body.
The alpha, beta, gamma and the delta form of the tocopherols as well as the tocotrienols determine the number of the methyl groups within the chromanol rings. Each of these forms have their own biological activity which measures the function and the potency of Vitamin E in the individual.
What foods have it? The most abundant source of vitamin E are vegetable oils like sunflower, corn, palm oil, olive oil and soybean. Nuts, sea buckthorn berries and kiwi fruit, wheat germ and sunflower seeds are also sources of Vitamin E.
Other sources include whole grains, peanut butter, green leafy vegetables and fish. Breakfast cereals are also rich in Vitamin E because these are originally extracted from wheat germ oil.
For a clearer picture of how much Vitamin E can be found in each source per 100 g, read on:
Asparagus - 1.5 mg Carrots - 0.6 mg Chestnut - 1.2 mg Coconut - 1.0 mg Corn - 2.0 mg Hazelnut - 26.0 mg Oats - 1.5 mg Olive oil - 12.0 mg Peanut - 9.0 mg Peanut oil - 17.2 mg Pollard - 2.4 mg Soybean - 1.2 mg Soybean oil - 14.6 mg Sunflower oil - 55.8 mg Tomatoes - 0.9 mg Walnut oil - 20.0 mg Wheat germ oil - 215.4 mg
How much should we take?
The US DRI or Dietary Reference Intake recommends that a young male take 15 mg of Vitamin E every day. Previous studies showed that Americans failed to meet the recommended amounts of Vitamin E in their normal diet.
The IOM or Institute of Medicine reports that Vitamin E intake is lower compared to the fat and energy intake of Americans, as seen in conducted national surveys. The IOM also believed that most North Americans can get enough Vitamin E if they follow a diet consisting of mostly vegetable oils.
However, Vitamin E may act as anticoagulant. If this happens, then there is a greater risk of bleeding problems. Therefore Vitamin E is regulated to 1000 mg each day for those who are going through the ailment.
The government doesn’t recommend over dosages of Vitamin E as to the fact that it increases bleeding. This is because there are synthetic and semi synthetic Vitamin E supplements that increase the mortality rate.
What is considered a deficiency?
There are three situations for vitamin E deficiency taking place. This is apparent to those who are not able to absorb dietary fat, those who are
premature, those who have low birth weight when they were infants and those who have rare disorders such as fat metabolism. Vitamin E deficiency are usually characterized by problems in the nerve system because of poor conduction.
Individuals who have difficulty in absorbing fat require Vitamin E supplements because they need dietary fat in order to absorb their intake of the nutrient in the gastrointestinal tract. Anyone who has been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis or has had their stomach or part of it removed suffer malabsorptive problems like liver disease, Crowns disease and pancreatic insufficiency.
These deficiencies are inherited and this result to poor absorption of Vitamin E and dietary fat. This may create problems in the nerves, muscles and the retina which can eventually lead to blindness. Individuals who have been diagnosed with deficiencies in Vitamin E must be prescribed special Vitamin E supplements in order to treat the disorder.
Health Risks Associated to Vitamin E
Research has shown that Vitamin E may either prevent or delay coronary heart problems. It limits the oxidation in the body and prevents the formation of blood clots which could result in a heart attack.
Also, because Vitamin E is an antioxidant, it protects against the effects of radicals which contribute to the development of cancer. It blocks the formation of nitrosamines which are located in the stomach. It also enhances the immune function.
Finally, the lack of Vitamin E clouds the tissue of the lens of the eyes. This increases the individuals risk of going blind. Observational studies have shown that Vitamin E can help prevent this and therefore the lack of Vitamin E triggers the production of cataracts.
Vitamin Deficiencies and Illness
Illnesses Caused By Vitamin Deficiencies
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is important for the eyes and the immune system. It is found in milk, eggs, liver, orange and red fruits, palm oil and leafy vegetables. Deficiency in Vitamin A result to blindness and ailments like measles, malaria and diarrhea.
Vitamin B
A symptom that a person lacks Vitamin B is when his health is altered or is slowly being diminished. This is primarily because Vitamin B is responsible for so many activities in the system such as transmitting the nerves, cellular differentiation, heart pulse rate, digestion, muscular contraction, brain function, energy production and through processes.
A person who lacks Vitamin B may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
ADD and inability to concentrate, easily irritated Chronic Exhaustion Chronic Fatigue Crying spells and hard time to cope Easily agitated and frustrated Feeling of uneasiness Fibrillation Inability to sleep Indigestion Heart arrhythmias Heart palpitations Mental Problems
Nervousness Paranoia and fear that something terrible will happen Rashes Restlessness Soreness Thoughts of Dying Tingling in fingers and toes Tingling in hands
Deficiency in Vitamin B comes when you least expect it and can create serious problems in your health. Medical studies show that there are detectable signs that the individual is experiencing deficiencies.
When vitamin B deficiencies turn out to become long-lasting or chronic, there are side effects. This includes troubles with the persons adrenal glands and system.
Vitamin C
Lack of Vitamin C results in scurvy. In adults, the lack or deficiency is rooted from a low diet of Vitamin C. Take for example that fact that people develop the deficiency when they only eat food such as tea, toast, dried meat and
canned vegetables.
Pregnancy, surgery, breastfeeding and burns can also increase the requirement of the body for Vitamin C as well as its deficiency. Smoking also increases the Vitamin C deficiency by 30 to 50%. There are rare cases of scurvy in infants but this still happens because the breast milk that is supplied to them doesn’t have enough Vitamin C to sustain them. There are also infant formulas that aren’t fortified with such vitamins.
For adults, a few months of a diet containing low Vitamin C can result in bleeding around the gums, under the skin (Specifically the hair follicles which appear as bruises) and through the joints.
Symptoms of Vitamin C deficiency for infants include pain during movement, loss of appetite and irritability. They also don’t gain weight as normal infants do. They have impaired bone growth and anemia and bleeding may also occur.
Scurvy is diagnosed depending on the symptoms of the individual. Conducted blood tests only detect low levels of Vitamin C. The treatment for scurvy is the intake of Vitamin C supplements on a daily basis. This is also the same treatment for those who are suffering from anemia.
Vitamin D
Deficiency in Vitamin D is rooted from inadequate dosage of the Vitamin alongside inadequate exposure to the sunlight. The disorders limit the absorption of the nutrients in the body and the conditions can’t fix the metabolites like the kidney or the liver.
Deficiency in Vitamin D results in bone mineralization making these softer than the norm. Rickets may occur in children and osteomalacia in adults. These contribute to osteoporosis.
Rickets is a childhood disease that is defined as the impeded growth or deformity of the bones. Osteomalacia is a disorder where the bones become thinner and occurs in adults. The muscle becomes weak and the bones become fragile. Osteoporosis is the condition wherein the bone mineral density is reduced making the bones more fragile.
Rickets is a major health problem in the United States. This is the very reason why Americans are encouraged to drink milk. In fact, many celebrities, athletes and political icons have rendered their services in the ‘Got Milk’ ad campaign to make drinking milk look cool and appealing to the public.
Lack of Vitamin D is also associated to the susceptibility to other diseases like tuberculosis, cancer, high blood pressure, sclerosis, chronic pain, periodontal disease, seasonal affective disorder, depression and schizophrenia.
Therefore, the best way for any individual to avoid these mentioned ailments is to make sure that they get the required dosage of Vitamins A, B, C and D on a daily basis.
Clinical Trials and Research
Clinical Trials and Research
In medicine, clinical trials are required in order for doctors and researchers to know whether the medical methods are appropriate for individuals. The application of the scientific method they learned in books and came up with experimentation are tested in the clinical trials before they are diagnosed to human beings.
Observational studies are closely observed and their outcomes are witnessed by investigators. Interventional studies are those treatments where outcomes are also measured. Doctors and researchers resort to both observational and interventional clinical trials in order to test their hypotheses and to learn more
about the effect of these studies and research before using them on their patients.
Clinical trials are small parts of the entire research. Normally, this occurs when all the observation and the studying has been done. This is usually towards the last phase of the whole procedure because this is where the hypothesis is tested.
About 1000 potential drugs go through clinical testing before they are sold to various drug stores. Potential drugs, especially cancer drugs, take a whole lot of time to complete the required clinical trials.
This is a long and arduous process to ensure the effectiveness and the safety of the drug. Doctors and researchers observe the treatment and the side effect with each clinical testing. There are only certain people who are eligible enough to be part of the clinical trial, especially those of the cancer drugs clinical trial. It takes months, sometimes even years, for a cancer drug to be given the thumbs up.
Clinical trials and research test new drugs, biologics, medical devices and psychological therapies to ensure that the health of the patients won’t be jeopardized. There is also a required regulating authority which approves the
therapies, the drugs and the devices before they are provided to the doctors and the researchers.
The clinical trials are designed to determine the efficacy and the safety of the experimental drugs and therapeutic procedures. It is also designed to determine whether this intervention is better than standard therapy or clinical procedures.
Clinical trials promise innovative treatments and approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as soon as the drugs and the therapy have been approved.
Right now, research centers are conducting clinical trials on the following. The current findings are briefly stated as well.
1. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases which includes Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease Medical research hasn’t yet determined the causes of inflammatory bowel disease but researchers claim that a lot of factors are involved in its development. This includes diet, environment as well as genetics.
Evidence shows that there is a genetic defect affecting the immune
system of the individual. Once triggered, inflammation will occur and the response of the bowel movement gets worse. Once turned on, it can’t be turned off. Researches also show that smoking enhances the possibility of Crohn's disease.
2. Gastroesophegeal Reflux Disease and heartburn conditions What is known about this disease is that it is a case of mild heartburn. Not much is known about it yet but it is said that if a person frequently suffers from this, he should consult with his doctor as soon as possible.
3. Chronic constipation and constipation treatment This is caused by colonic disorders, secondary constipation or pelvic floor dysfunction. Colonic disorders result in constipation when the contents in the colon are disturbed. This leads to irritable bowel syndrome and slow transition constipation.
4. Dyspepsia Those who have dyspepsia usually don’t require further investigation aside from the clinical examination. But people who are older than 55 are the exception to this rule because recent studies show that dyspepsia at this age must be further investigated for esophagogastroduodenoscopy. This is a painless investigation of the esophagus, stomach and the
duodenum. This basically rules out peptic ulcer disease if the results turn out to be negative.
5. Multiple Sclerosis It is hard to diagnose sclerosis, especially in its early stages because it is not detectable at all. Clinical data is not alone in attempting to diagnose multiple sclerosis. A person who has suffered two episodes show signs that he probably has the consistent abnormality which is associated to the ailment.
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