VITAMINS, ANTIOXIDANTS, AMINO ACIDS AND THE PURPOSE THEY SERVE
The Root of All Disease Chapter 4
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These 14 posts are directed toward minerals because nothing else can provide the maximum nutrition needed to function and sustain life without them. Even though vitamins are very ineffective without minerals, they must be included in your diet, or you will not be healthy and live a normal life. The following guide may help you determine the proper vitamins and antioxidants for your and your family’s well-being.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Considerable laboratory evidence from chemical, cell culture, and animal studies indicate that antioxidants may slow or possibly prevent the development of cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cataracts, and even depression. This is because antioxidants interact with and stabilize free radicals and may prevent some of the damage they otherwise might cause. Antioxidants are nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes – the proteins in your body that assist chemical reactions. Basically, they counteract the damaging but typical effects of the physiological oxidation process in tissue.
Vitamins
Vitamins are plant-grown molecules that often serve as coenzymes. They are required in relatively small amounts compared to amino acids, essential fatty acids, and proteins but are absolutely essential in a healthy diet.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an excellent antioxidant that helps the eyes, mucous membranes, gums, skin, bone, hair growth and resistance to infections. It works well with choline, vitamins C, D, E, F, and zinc. DEFICIENCIES in vitamin A are associated with child blindness and can lead to dry skin and hair, susceptibility to infections, allergies, fatigue, and migrane headaches.
Vitamin B COMPLEX
Vitamin B1 is good for the brain and brain waves. It aids in learning while supporting the nervous and circulation systems. It works very well with folic acid, vitamin B5, vitamin C, and a total B-complex. DEFICIENCIES in vitamin B1 are fatigue, nervousness, depression, irritability, and digestive disorders.
Vitamin B2 is an oxygenator of the cells and promotes body growth. It is good for the hair, skin, and eyes and is a good antibody in cell formation. It works well with a B-complex, vitamin C, B6, and niacin. DEFICIENCIES in vitamin B2 can cause skin disorders, vision, growth problems, ingestion, and baldness.
Vitamin B3 is highly beneficial to the nervous and digestive systems, adrenal glands, blood circulation, and sugar metabolism. It works well with vitamin C and vitamin B-complex. DEFICIENCIES in vitamin B3 are associated with nervousness, poor circulation, fatigue, headaches, bad breath, and high blood pressure.
Vitamin B5 has been proven to help stress, food metabolism and digestion, steroid hormone synthesis, and cell formation. It is very effective when used with vitamin C and vitamin B-complex. DEFICIENCIES in vitamin B5 can cause stress, allergies, arthritis, digestive disorders, hair loss, hypoglycemia, and premature aging.
Vitamin B6 is crucial for the nervous system, muscles, skin, antibody and blood cell formation, amino acids, and fatty acid metabolism. It should be used with vitamin
C, vitamin B-complex, and potassium. DEFICIENCIES in vitamin B6 can lead to stress, depression, insomnia, irritability, weight gain, clogging of the arteries, and hypoglycemia.
Vitamin B12 is necessary for the nervous system, helps store iron, maintains appetite, and stimulates growth. It works well with vitamin C, vitamin B-complex, calcium, and potassium. DEFICIENCIES in B12 cause loss of stamina, fatigue, stress, and anemia.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is readily recognized worldwide as a great antioxidant, a protector of hair, skin, blood cells and vessels, bone, gums, and teeth, and an infection eliminator. It works well with bioflavanoids and all vitamins and all minerals on earth. DEFICIENCIES in vitamin C are numerous, including infections, blood or skin disorders, aging disorders, allergies, and bruising.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D promotes and stimulates calcium and phosphorus absorption, strong teeth and bones, and mineral homeostasis. It should be used with calcium, choline, phosphorus, and vitamins A, C, and F. DEFICIENCIES in vitamin D will cause soft bones and teeth, gum disease, muscle weakness, nervousness, arthritis, and poor metabolism. Make sure your teenagers get at least 200 IU of vitamin D daily. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health found that teenagers may be at risk of serious lung disease later in life if they skimp on vitamin D.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is another good antioxidant that helps circulation, blood and vessel health, oxygenation, lungs, skin, and hair health, and is very good for the prostate gland. It works well with vitamins A and C, B-complex, selenium, and manganese. DEFICIENCIES in vitamin E are related to heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, cholesterolemia, menopausal problems, and prostate size.
Vitamin F
Vitamin F is good for mucous membranes, skin, and hair and helps prevent high cholesterol. It is very effective with phosphorus and vitamins A, C, D, and E.
Amino Acids
Amino Acids make up protein. Each type of protein has a different amino acid profile. Protein and amino acids are what muscle fibers are made of, so if you don’t supply your body with enough protein, your muscles will not grow and become strong. This is why bodybuilders seek out and use large amounts of protein. But amino acids are also necessary for numerous other functions in your body. For example, they help repair red blood cells, promote hair growth, fingernails, digestion enzymes, and much more. There are 20 amino acids required to make proteins. Some are created by the body, and some must be supplemented. There are many good brands on the market. Always look for those that contain at least 16 amino acids. The RDI for dietary protein is 0.6 grams per pound of body weight per day for active adults.
Biotin
Biotin helps utilize other B vitamins and aids the Krebs cycle (energy) in synthesizing fats, proteins, and cell production. It works well with vitamin B-complex. DEFICIENCIES of Biotin lead to exhaustion, muscle pain, depression, and dry hair and eyes.
Choline
Choline is a good protein and fat metabolizer and benefits nerve impulse transmissions. It is best when used with vitamin B complex. DEFICIENCIES of choline can cause atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, liver ailments, and tinnitus.
Folic acid
Folic acid is required for growth, reproduction, and protein synthesis. It also works well with vitamin B-complex, especially B12. DEFICIENCIES of Folic Acid will cause a B12 deficiency, fatigue, stress, and menstrual disorders.
Inositol
Inositol is known for the metabolism of fats and cholesterol. It is good for hair, brain, eyes, and weight control. It works well with vitamin B-complex, vitamin C, and phosphorus. DEFICIENCIES of Inositol can cause atherosclerosis, constipation, skin and hair problems, insomnia, and weight gain.
PABA
PABA is a natural sunscreen that helps hair and skin while being very effective at protein metabolism. It works well with Vitamins A, C, D, and E and the mineral phosphorus. DEFICIENCIES in PABA can cause gray hair, skin tags, and fatigue.
