jing luo, negative energy & nutrients (17)

What are the effects of nutrients on our health ? Nutrients can have marked effect on health. In the field of nutritional study, some nutrients are essential in maintaining the proper health and function of our bodies and without such nutrients our bodies systems will go astray and become malfunction, for instance, lack of vitamin C will produce scurvy disease and lack of vitamin B1 one will likely to get beriberi. Which are the best nutrients ? The naturally occurred nutrients are the best such as those derived from the plants as they can be readily absorbed by our bodies hence the term “bioavailability” which has been used to refer that the product can be readily absorbed by our bodies as compared with synthetic ones which usually are made from chemicals or inorganic materials. It is therefore most appropriate to know what are the essential nutrients which our bodies required and some of them are as stated below. Vitaman A- Vitamin A which plays an important role in vision, bone growth and formation of bones and teeth, repair of body tissues, reproduction, cell division, and cell differentiation (in which a cell becomes part of the brain, muscle, lungs, blood, or other specialized tissue.) Vitamin A helps to regulate the immune system, which in turn helps to prevent or fight off infections by making white blood cells destroy harmful bacteria and viruses. Vitamin A also may help lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) to fight infections more effectively. Vitamin A promotes healthy surface linings of the eyes and the respiratory, urinary, and intestinal tracts. When those linings break down, it becomes easier for bacteria to enter the body and cause infection. Vitamin A also helps the skin and mucous membranes function as a barrier to bacteria and viruses. It helps to reduce the black spot due to the process of aging. Vitamin A also helps to reduce free radical and any lack of Vitamin A will affect the functionality of the skin cells which will result in lack of elasticity, dryness, roughness and dullness of the skin. Vitamin A that is found in colorful fruits and vegetables is called provitamin A carotenoid. They can be made into retinol in the body. Common provitamin A carotenoids found in foods that come from plants are beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin Among these, beta-carotene is most efficiently made into retinol. Deficiency of vitamin A may lead to night blindness, dry eyes, rough skin, impaired bone growth and susceptibility to respiratory infections. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Any excess of Vitamin B that is not used by our body will be discharged hence it is important that we do consume enough of Vitamin B everyday. Vitamin B1 helps to protect the nervous system and aids the function of heart, digestive system, stomach and intestine. Deficiency of Vitamin B1 will cause Beriberi which is a disease of the nervous system including weight loss, emotional disturbances, impaired sensory perception, weakness and pain in the limbs, irregular heartbeat and swelling of bodily tissues. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)- Deficiency of Vitamin B2 causes ariboflavinosi and the symptoms may include cracks in the lips, high sensitivity to sunlight, inflammation of the tongue, seborrheic dermatitis or pseudo-syphilis particularly affecting the scrotum or labia majora and the mouth, pharyngitis, hyperemia and edema of the pharyngeal and oral mucosa. Vitamin B2 helps to regenerate cells, assist the normal growth of skin, nails and hairs. Vitamin B2 also helps to improve vision and reduce tiredness of eyes. A German study found that previously it had been assumed that no plant contains a significant amount of vitamin B12, but the study revealed that Seabuckthorn not only contains all the vitamins B, its vitamin B12 content is as high as in liver. The clinical study shows that a lack of vitamin B12 causes skin disorders, anemia, digestive disorders, nerve damage, lack of appetite, irregular menstruation period, loss of memory, neurodegeneration and dysfunction of the mucous membranes. Vitamin E Vitamin E which is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is an antioxidant vitamin involved in the metabolism of all cells. It protects vitamin A and essential fatty acids from oxidation in the body cells and prevents breakdown of body tissues. It protects body cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of energy metabolism. Free radicals can damage cells and may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. It also may protect against the development of cancers by enhancing immune function. Vitamin E can prevent the development of cancer and increase the immunity. Recent study conducted by medical and nutritional institute revealed that natural Vitamin E is more acceptable by our body than the synthetic one. Natural vitamin E exists in eight different forms or isomers, four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. All isomers have a chromanol ring, with ahydroxyl group which can donate a hydrogen atom to reduce free radicals and hydrophobic side chain which which allows for penetration into biological membranes. There is alpha, beta, gamma and delta form of both tocopherols and tocotrienols. Preliminary research has led to a widely held belief that vitamin E may help prevent or delay coronary heart disease. Researchers are fairly certain that oxidative modification of LDL cholesterol promotes blockages in coronary arteries that may lead to atherosclerosis and heart attacks. Vitamins E and other antioxidants remove wastes including peroxides, ailing and dead cells from blood thus avoiding damages to the artery walls. It is found that vitamin E may be important for prevention of neurodegeneration in humans [ aging and oxidation stress in neyurodegeneration- hiro Urano et.al]. Experiments also show that muscle lesions can be prevented with vitamin E [ Effect of Age and Dietary Fish on tocopherol status of C57BL/6Nia Mice- Simin Nikbin Meydani LIPIDS 33(11):1123-1129 (1998)] In 1960 a research institute discovered that a cell cultivate outside the body will die after undergoing about 60-70 subdivisions however if Vitamin E were to be added to it the cell will die after undergoing about 120-140 subdivisions. This means that the life expectancy is doubled ! It is therefore concluded that Vitamin E will delay the oxidation of cell which in turn will delay the process of aging. Vitamin E is the best anti-oxidant. Vitamin E helps to relieve cramp and stiffness of limbs.