UNIT 4 VITAMINS PROF.

EARON DAVIS LI-YUN POVENTUD HW 499 : BACHELORS CAPSTONE HEALTH AND WELLNESS SEPTEMBER 14, 2013

Overview on Vitamins

Overview Benefits of Vitamins

Vitamins are necessary to human and cell growth. Vitamins are classified between:

Fat Soluble- are absorbed through intestinal tract Water-soluble- It does not get stored in the body for long periods and is expelled from body through urine, sweat.

Vitamins are organic substances that are either made from animals or plants.
(Harvard School of Public Health (nd))

Who needs vitamins?

Special populations Pregnant women Lactating women People with low carbohydrate diets Vegans People with certain diseases and immune systems

Source: Office of Dietary Supplements (2013)

Fat Soluble Vitamins

Vitamin A-Good for vision, skin, for immune system Liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, dark leafy greens, squash, cantaloupe (Office of Dietary Supplements, 2013). Vitamin A needs to be taken in moderation. Vitamin D Needed for bones, metabolism and can help protect body against breast cancer and color cancers Milk, orange juice, codliver, eggs and mushrooms. (Office of Dietary Supplements, 2013).

Fat Soluble Vitamins

Vitamin ECan help protect the body against free radicals and against

oxidate stress.
Sunflower seeds, almonds, pine nuts, apricots, peanuts, spinach. Adequate amounts can help with eye problems. Too much can lead to excessive bleeding,. It needs to be taken in moderation.
(Office of Dietary Supplements, 2013).

Vitamin K (Coumadin)
Promotes healthy liver, needed for blood clotting. Dark leafy greens, green onions, spinach, herbs (like parsley, oregano), asparagus, cabbage, pickles and prunes.
Vitamin K is needed to prevent osteoporosis and Alzheimers. **There is connection between Down Syndrome and Alzheimers)** (MacLeod, 2003) Read more on this link/article

http://www.alz.org/dementia/down-syndrome-alzheimers-symptoms.asp NBC News September 2013 http://www.nbcnews.com/health/how-down-syndrome-may-help-unravelalzheimers-puzzle-8C11084898

Water-Soluble Vitamins
Vitamin B1-Promotes Energy
Deficiency if you are experiencing tingling in hands, legs, calf musclesRecommended foods Tuna, sunflower, navy beans (all beans), flaxseeds.

Vitamin B2
Needed for metabolism and production of cells. Deficiency if you are itching in your eyes, tearing or burning and skin problems. Yogurt, beans, milk, spinach, mushrooms, eggs.
(U.S. National Library of Medicine, Medline Plus, 2011)

Water-Soluble Vitamins
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Good for metabolism, digestion and circulation. Can help regulate blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels. A deficiency in niacin can cause amnesia, delirium, poor concentration and fatigue. Rice and wheat, brown rice, bran, tuna, paprika, peanuts, chicken. (U.S. National Library
of Medicine, Medline Plus, 2011)

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid).

Conversion of nutrients to energy and for gastro-intestinal health. A deficiency of vitamin B5 can lead to fatigue, irritability. Recommended foods wheat, bran, liver, whey powder, cheese, avocados and fish.
(U.S. National Library of Medicine, Medline Plus, 2011)

Water Soluble
Vitamin B6- nervous system, red blood cells sand
immune system. Deficiency of Vitamin B6 can Increase problems with skin, circulation, and metabolism. Recommended foods: Brown rice, bran, pistachios, garlic, fish, sunflowers, and hazelnuts. (Natural Medicine Journal.com)

Vitamin B12 needed for digestion, cellular formation.

Deficiency can lead to anemia, depression, fatigue, brain damage and problems with nervous system. Recommended foods shellfish, fortified cereals, skim milk, Swiss cheese.
(U.S. National Library of Medicine, Medline Plus, 2011)

Vitamin supplementation for Down Syndrome Recommendations

Nutrichem

vs.

Nutrivene
Nutritional supplement specifically formulated for children with Down syndrome.
The newly reformulated NutriveneD Advanced Antioxidant Daily Supplement contains over 40 vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants including Zinc, Selenium, Coenzyme Q10, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Glutathione, Bioflavonoids, Vitamins A, C, and E Nutrivene (2013)

The MSB Methyl Plus 4th Generation formula combines vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants with a special emphasis on methylation support. Zinc supplementation has been proven to help thyroid function. Probiotics- have been proved to help with gastrointestinal problems

Osteoporosis in affects all adults- Vitamin D has been proven to help prevent osteoporosis.

(MacLeod, K. 2011) http://www.nutrichem.com/index.php?option=co m_content&view=article&id=83:before-you-givea..

http://www.nutrivene.com/faqs. php

Disadvantages of high dosages

Vitamin Toxicity when a person has side effects caused by overdosing in vitamins.

Vitamin Poisoning= hypervitaminosis.

Say no to mega doses Vitamins should not be used to treat diseases. Excessive amounts of vitamins can be toxic. Mega doses can produce headaches, irritation in Read the labels and consult with your doctor before taking vitamins. **Excessive doses of Vitamin A have been linked to birth defects

the stomach lining, diarrhea, hypertension, nervousness and irritability.

(U.S. National Library of Medicine, Medline Plus, 2011)

Conclusion

Consult your physician before taking supplements and vitamins. Read labels, especially if you are pregnant or may become pregnant Some vitamins may interact with the medications. Vitamins are not a replacement for food. Dietary supplements are not FDA regulated.

*Reference WebMD, 2013

References:
Harvard School of Public Health.com. Vitamins (nd) Retrieved from http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vitamins/ MacLeod, K. Down Syndrome and Vitamin Therapy. Unlocking the Secrets of Improved Health, Behaviour and Intelligence. (2003). Kemanso Publishing, Canada Natural Medicine Journal.com. The Many Uses of Vitamin B6. Retrieved from http://naturalmedicinejournal.com/article_content.asp?edition=1%C2%A7ion=2&article=229 National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements (2013). Retrieved from http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-QuickFacts/ Nutrivene (2013). Retrieved from http://www.nutrivene.com/ U.S. National Library of Medicine. Med Line Plus (2011). Hypervitaminosis. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001594.htm WebMD. Vitamin supplementation (2013). Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/nutrition-vitamins-11/helpvitamin-supplement?page=2