The body depends on vitamins and minerals to function; diet is the main source for nutrients with the condition to consume foods from all major categories. Nutritional supplements are another sources of vitamins and minerals, but they should only be used when diet is deficient. Thus, there are supplements that only include one essential mineral and a vitamin that helps to its metabolism. Thus, calcium depends on vitamin D while magnesium works in combination with vitamin B6, to give just two relevant examples here.
All vitamins and minerals are specialized, and a balanced diet will normally provide enough for the proper body functioning. Supplementation is usually necessary fro mal-absorption and for people who have to recover after illness. When you've been diagnosed with osteoporosis you will need more than just a diet rich in dairy products. Besides diet, you should use a calcium supplement and vitamins D and C to ensure a good absorption.
Then, eye problems can often be treated or improved by the administration of the right combination of vitamins and minerals. Combinations of antioxidants like vitamin C, E and A together with selenium and zinc will prevent glaucoma, cataract and macular degeneration. They are also known to improve the condition of people who suffer from the dry eye syndrome. Talk to a doctor before using any vitamin supplements. It usually takes medical expertise to recognize and treat vitamin or mineral deficiencies.
A complex combination of vitamins and minerals is used for the treatment of anemia. The problem with self-diagnosis and individual treatment is that you could do more harm than good. The following examples show where you could go wrong with self-administration and not even know it.
There are health conditions that do not allow the administration of certain vitamins and supplements.
- Pregnant women should be careful not to use too much vitamin A because it can cause anatomical defects in the baby.
- Smokers also have problems with the administration of beta-carotene (vitamin A).
- People who suffer from kidney stones may have problems when using calcium supplements.
- Vitamin K interferes with blood thinning medication.
- Iron causes constipation.
The list of problems that may accompany the random use of vitamins and minerals is much longer than this. Yet, with the above mentions, we are trying to send an alarm message to all those who self-treat and use vitamin supplements by the 'ear'.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Vitamin K Foods
Vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting, it maintains blood vessels flexible and it stimulates correct bone development. Deficiencies of vitamin K will lead to improper coagulation of the blood and hemorrhaging from wounds, easy bruising, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, easy bone fractures and even congenital malformations. Too high an intake of vitamin K on the other hand is health threatening too by the risk of heart attacks and stroke due to blood thickening. You can stay away from imbalances by eating enough foods high in vitamin K to meet the body's needs.
Brussels sprout, broccoli, spinach, lettuce and other leafy greens are foods high in vitamin K. Since livestock usually feed on leafy green, their liver contains rich sources of K vitamin. Nevertheless, beef and pork liver are not consumed in very many cultures.
Fruits as foods high in vitamin K represent the most common source for a balanced nutrition. Moderate quantities of vitamin K are found in apricots, apples, bananas, avocados, cantaloupe, blueberries, peaches and grapes. Cucumbers, peas, artichokes, red cabbage, tomatoes and leek also contain vitamin K.
The right way to eat foods high in vitamin K is in a raw state, because cooking destroys the nutrients. Make salads of leafy greens, and if you still need to cook them, make sure that they preserve some of their vitamin K content. Mushy or soggy vegetables hardly have any vitamins left. Cook them light so that the veggies still remain crisp. The nutrients usually leech into the water where you boil the vegetables. Use that for a broth so that you can take advantage of the nutritional value.
Foods high in vitamin K should be part of a balanced nutrition. The body cannot store vitamin K for long periods of time, therefore you need to take it from your meals. Moreover, you can add variation without looking for vitamin K in particular. When you add some fresh berries or a banana to the morning cereal or you have a slice of fresh cantaloupe, you simply enjoy diversity. Eat some celery sticks and a nice leafy green salad at dinner, and your menu will include enough vitamins and minerals.
In case you suffer from some health problem, it is best to ask the doctor's recommendation related to your diet. For example, patients who use warfarin may experience interferences with their blood thinning medication when using it in parallel with vitamin K supplements.
Brussels sprout, broccoli, spinach, lettuce and other leafy greens are foods high in vitamin K. Since livestock usually feed on leafy green, their liver contains rich sources of K vitamin. Nevertheless, beef and pork liver are not consumed in very many cultures.
Fruits as foods high in vitamin K represent the most common source for a balanced nutrition. Moderate quantities of vitamin K are found in apricots, apples, bananas, avocados, cantaloupe, blueberries, peaches and grapes. Cucumbers, peas, artichokes, red cabbage, tomatoes and leek also contain vitamin K.
The right way to eat foods high in vitamin K is in a raw state, because cooking destroys the nutrients. Make salads of leafy greens, and if you still need to cook them, make sure that they preserve some of their vitamin K content. Mushy or soggy vegetables hardly have any vitamins left. Cook them light so that the veggies still remain crisp. The nutrients usually leech into the water where you boil the vegetables. Use that for a broth so that you can take advantage of the nutritional value.
Foods high in vitamin K should be part of a balanced nutrition. The body cannot store vitamin K for long periods of time, therefore you need to take it from your meals. Moreover, you can add variation without looking for vitamin K in particular. When you add some fresh berries or a banana to the morning cereal or you have a slice of fresh cantaloupe, you simply enjoy diversity. Eat some celery sticks and a nice leafy green salad at dinner, and your menu will include enough vitamins and minerals.
In case you suffer from some health problem, it is best to ask the doctor's recommendation related to your diet. For example, patients who use warfarin may experience interferences with their blood thinning medication when using it in parallel with vitamin K supplements.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)