Fat Soluble Vitamins For Slimming Diet |
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Vitamins: The Organic Compounds Vitamins are organic compounds that are essential to health. Vitamins are not made by the body (although in some cases, one form can be made into another within the body) and must be supplied by the foods we eat. But unlike protein, carbohydrates, and fats, vitamins provide no energy source. Vitamins are essential to life. Each vitamin has known functions in the body. But only small amounts are required. Daily requirements of all the vitamins combined would add up to only about 1/8 teaspoon. But even with requirements so small, vitamins are necessary to support life. Without the required amount of a particular vitamin, deficiency symptoms could develop. Not after a day or two of missing an intake, but in the course of several months or more, each has been shown to develop signs of deficiency, though very few cases of known vitamin deficiencies occur in the United States. Vitamins are clearly divided into two main groups: fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins. Vitamins and minerals are as important to the diet as the energy-producing nutrients, protein, carbohydrates, and fats, only they do not supply calories and do not supply energy. Instead, vitamins and minerals are the key to many processes and activities that occur inside our bodies everyday. Because of this, these nutrients need to be supplied in adequate amounts each day. Fat-Soluble VitaminsThe fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins A, D, E, and K. These vitamins have the ability to be stored in the body if excesses are consumed. This can be a benefit to many people who do not consume adequate amounts each day. Unfortunately for others, toxic levels can occur if too large amounts are consumed over time. Toxic levels can become dangerous to the body. Let's focus in on these important vitamins, what they do, and what food sources supply them. |
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Vitamin AVitamin A exists in two forms. Foods of animal origin provide vitamin A, the active form of the vitamin, whereas foods from plant sources provide a provitamin type, referred to as beta-carotene, that converts to vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is supplied in foods like liver, fish oils, fortified dairy products, and egg yolks. Beta-carotene is found in foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, spinach, broccoli, squash, peppers, papaya, mango, cantaloupe, and apricots. Foods high in beta-carotene are also beneficial as antioxidants, meaning they provide protective benefits to preventing disease and tissue damage. Vitamin A is necessary for building bones and healthy epithelial tissue, the tissue found in the skin, eyes, and the passages of the lungs, intestines, and reproductive organs. Vitamin A is known for keeping skin and hair healthy. It is also needed to maintain healthy eyesight, especially at night and in dim lighting conditions. Vitamin DVitamin D is a unique vitamin in that it can be supplied from foods in the diet or from direct exposure to the sun. Necessary to help regulate calcium levels in the bloodstream, this vitamin plays an important role in building strong bones and teeth. Vitamin D can be found in some fish (sardines and salmon) and fish oils, cheese, eggs, butter, and fortified milk, cereal, and margarine products. Vitamin D is often referred to as the "sunshine vitamin" because it can be supplied by exposure to the sun. People who live in sunny climates should have no difficulties in obtaining their requirement of vitamin D. Vitamin EVitamin E is a well-known vitamin in that it is highly promoted as a cure-all to many people. Although many claims to this are unsubstantiated, this vitamin has gained popularity in recent years. Essential in maintaining a healthy immune and nervous system, vitamin E is also known to provide antioxidant effects to help protect against tissue damage and disease. A diet with foods rich in vitamin E includes vegetable oils, like soybean, corn, safflower, and cottonseed, margarine, some fruits and vegetables, wheat germ, multigrain cereals, nuts and seeds. Vitamin KKThe main function of vitamin K is to contribute to blood clotting. This vitamin is needed to make proteins that help clot the blood in the event of a cut, scrape, or bleeding injury. Vitamin K is supplied by a varied diet consisting of dark green leafy vegetables, liver, fruits, milk, meats, eggs, and grain products. |
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