Erovic.org

Vitamin D and Bone Health Its Not Just About Calcium Anymore!

These days, it’s pretty much common knowledge that calcium helps to build strong bones and prevents osteoporosis as we age.  There’s been tons of media put out to educate the public on the need for proper calcium consumption.  There are innumerable calcium supplements available on the market today, ranging from pills to drinks to chocolate flavored chews.  However, calcium is not the only player in the bone health game.  Vitamin D has been shown to exhibit a major influence on the regulation of bone mass and unfortunately it has not gained the same notoriety as calcium.  It’s been estimated that approximately 40% of the adult population over the age of 50 may be deficient in vitamin D.  Often the problem goes untreated because it causes few symptoms that would be noticed on a daily basis.  It’s time to learn about vitamin D and how to best ensure the health of your bones.

Vitamin D is produced naturally by the body in response to skin exposure to UVB sunlight, the highest energy ultraviolet radiation the passes through the ozone barrier in any substantial amount.  However, there are a number of reasons why endogenous (within the body itself) production of vitamin D often does not satisfy the body’s need.  First, vitamin D production in response to sunlight declines with age.  Ironically, older people also tend to suffer some of the harshest consequences for vitamin D deficiency.  Also, sunscreen and avoidance of sun exposure has become more popular due to growing concerns over skin cancer and other forms of damage.  A sunscreen of SPF 8 cuts down on the production of vitamin D by about 95%.  Many sunscreens are SPF 30 and above, which stop almost 100% of vitamin D generation.The other source of vitamin D is through the diet.  In 1923, a biochemist named Harry Steenbock discovered that irradiating many foods with ultraviolet light increased their levels of vitamin D.  By the 1930′s, governments began to fortify milk with vitamin D in an attempt to eradicate rickets in children, caused by vitamin D deficiency.  However, milk is pretty much the only major food with added vitamin D.  Even other dairy products like yogurt and cheese are often left unfortified.  Adding to the problem is the fact that these days many people no longer drink milk.  Besides milk, eggs, fatty fish, beef liver, and mushrooms naturally supply vitamin D.  Vitamin D supplements are also widely available in both health food stores and groceries.  Whether produced internally or consumed, vitamin D undergoes a number of conversion steps before becoming fully active in the body.  First it is transported to the liver where it is hydroxylated (gets an oxygen and a hydrogen atom added to it) and then stored until it is needed.  Under conditions of low calcium, the vitamin D is transported through the blood stream to the kidneys where it is again hydroxylated to form calcitriol, the final active form of vitamin D.  Calcitriol then binds to a receptor in the nuclei of certain cells, causing the cells to increase their production of transport proteins that help absorb calcium from food through the intestinal wall.  As you can see, vitamin D serves as the body’s messenger, carrying the news of low calcium levels to the cells capable of fixing the problem.  Without adequate vitamin D levels, this signaling pathway can’t function properly, the cells never get the message, and as a result calcium is poorly absorbed.Generally, a good goal is to consume 1,000 IU of vitamin D per day good goal for people aged 19-50, while 1,200 IU per day is appropriate for people over 50.  As with all vitamins and especially the fat soluble bunch (vitamins A, E, D, and K), be sure to count all of your vitamin D sources in order to maintain a healthy intake level without going overboard.  Vitamin D toxicity is rare, but somewhere between 2,000-10,000 IU/day for adults and around 1,000 IU/day for children, over a period of about six months, can cause serious problems.  So make sure to reach your goal, but also be aware of your total vitamin D intake.  Vitamin D can be the difference between strong bones and debilitating injury.  Set yourself up for a lifetime of health, mobility, and vigorous activity with proper levels of vitamin D and calcium!

Vitamin C, or ascorbic Acid, has many beneficial functions, from providing better iron absorption to efficient fighting against infection and its ability to preserve skin elasticity. In general, taking vitamins is very good for maintaining good health. Vitamin C is one of the most important and most frequently taken vitamins.

The human body does not store vitamin C. Vitamin C overdose is rare. The Recommended daily dose is 75 to 90 mg daily for adults, and a bit higher for adult smokers (110 to 125 mg). Anything over 3 to 500mg is excreted by the body in urine. Several people experience a vitamin C overdose because of its famed antioxidant properties. Antioxidants protect cells against damage by free radicals (free radical is any molecule that has a single unpaired electron in an outer shell). Free radicals cause diseases like cancer, cataracts, heart and lung disease. There is no scientific evidence that high doses of vitamin C protect us from any of these diseases other than protection against cataracts.

A Vitamin C overdose generally is non-toxic. It may cause diarrhea, kidney stones, nausea and tamper with the analysis of blood work results. Continued excessive use of the vitamin can cause harmful symptoms. Overdose amounts varies with individuals, depending on factors such as age, genes, and the ratio of other reactive elements in the body. The most common result of a vitamin C overdose is diarrhea. The minimum amount which causes this ranges from 5 to 25 grams a day or 500 to 2500 milligrams a day. A very effective treatment against a vitamin C overdose is simply to decrease the dose as quickly as possible. Drinking plenty of water is recommended in cases of vitamin C overdose.

At high doses, symptoms of overdose include vomiting, face flushing, fatigue, sleep disturbances and headaches. Also, symptoms such as increased urination, gas, stomach cramps, insomnia, and back/joint pain can occur. Vitamin C overdose causes iron poisoning because vitamin C increases iron absorption. High doses of vitamin E may treat this particular side effect. Another significant damaging effect of Vitamin C overdose is that it causes deficiency of copper, a necessary element present in our bodies. Hemochromatosis (A hereditary disease in which there is excessive absorption of dietary iron resulting in a pathologic increase in total body iron stores) patients should not take vitamin C due to enhanced accumulation of non-heme iron in the presence of this vitamin.

Vitamin C is beneficial but within limits. You are free to take the recommended daily dose. But remember too much of any thing is bad.

Even if you are not a big believer in taking supplements or other natural remedies, you should at least consider taking Vitamin C. While this amazing nutrient is probably one of the most readily available through a wide variety of foods, it is still surprisingly lacking in the majority of our diets. In fact, according to a July 2009 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, almost half of all Canadian adults are deficient in vitamin C, a key factor strongly associated with a growing number of adverse health effects including chronic disease. Studies have shown for years that eating more fruits and veggies (both of which are high in vitamin C) is a basic necessity for optimal health. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. It not only helps boost our immune system, which helps us fight disease and infections, but it is also shown to help prevent heart disease, diabetes, cancer and even weight gain. While these are pretty convincing reasons by themselves to assure we get enough of this potent vitamin, a new study published this month in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , shows that early vitamin C deficiency may also be linked to impaired brain development.

This study, completed at the Faculty of Life Sciences at University of Copenhagen, essentially reveals that a vitamin C deficiency may in fact impair the mental development of new-born babies. Although this study used guinea pigs as a model, researchers believe the results are comparable to humans since both humans and guinea pigs are unable to synthesize vitamin C internally and as such, must obtain the vitamin through dietary sources. The study showed new-born guinea pigs who were subjected to a vitamin C deficiency had a significantly worse memory than those provided sufficient vitamin C. Because the highest concentration of vitamin C is typically found in the neurons of the brain, researchers surmise that with a growing number of women of child bearing age who are themselves deficient in vitamin C, we may soon see a rise in the number of children with learning disabilities resulting from a simple lack of vitamin C during pregnancy and into early life.

Other studies show eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C may even be associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes including heart disease and stroke. In fact, one study published March 2001 in the Lancet suggests this association is so strong that just one extra serving of fruit or vegetables a day can result in a 20 percent lower risk of death in healthy adults from all causes. In some cases, the risk of death was even cut in half in those who had the highest blood levels of vitamin C.

While some argue vitamin C alone is not responsible for the lower risk of disease and death observed in the study, rather higher blood levels of vitamin C also indicate an overall healthy lifestyle that includes a nutrient-rich diet that includes sufficient fruits and veggies along with exercise, which in turn leads to a lowered risk of death and disease. Whatever the cause, the study does point to the fact that even small dietary changes can have a profound and lasting effect on our health.

The following is a list of some of the fruits and veggies that contain the highest amount of vitamin C:
Apricots
Beans, Yellow Snap
Bell Pepper
Blackberries
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Green and red cabbage
Cantaloupe
Carambola
Cauliflower
Collards
Chili Pepper
Gooseberries
Grapefruit
Guavas
Honeydew melon
Kiwi
Lemon
Lime
Okra
Onion
Orange
Papaya
Pepper
Pineapple
Potato
Prickly Pears
Pummelo
Radish
Raspberries
Rutabagas
Spinach
Summer squash
Strawberries
Sweet potato
Tangerines
Tomato
Watermelon

While food sources are always the best place to start when looking to increase your Vitamin C levels, taking a quality supplement, especially during times of stress or during cold and flu season is a also a good idea. Dr Linus Pauling, twice awarded the Nobel Prize and often referred to as the “Father of Vitamin C” stated large intakes of up to 10 grams of vitamin C each day aids anti-cancer activity within the body. Many nutritionists and doctors disagree but studies continue to show taking at least 1,000 mg/day is not only essential to health but also safe and effective. When taking larger doses of vitamin C however, you should be aware that because this nutrient also has laxative properties, some people may experience diarrhea and even gastritis. As well, because Vitamin C is known to interact with some prescription medications, before taking large doses, you should talk to your health practitioner.
Cynthia McMurray is a professional natural health writer. She has written numerous books for leading
health professionals and was the founder and publisher of a national
natural health magazine. She is currently writing in-depth health
manuals for a large international health and wellness company. She is also the founder and publisher of Bryler Publications (www.brylerpublications.com).

Vitamin C Is About To Be Made Illegal In Canada! Nutritional Supplements Banned In Canada! Bill C-51

So you want to take Vitamin C, how about if it was illegal to take that vitamin C, what if it was so illegal that you could be thrown in jail for up to 2 years and fined up to $5,000,000! Sounds like fiction doesn’t it?Well it’s about to become reality unless people become aware of what is going on. The Canadian Government is trying to pass a bill known as Bill C51. This bill has already passed its second reading and it is flying under the radar, it is very close to becoming law and some powers that be DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW! This bill would give entire control of supplements over to drug companies by only allowing MDs to “Prescribe” them as they see fit. Of course we know here in this country the government controls the doctors and the pharmaceutical companies tell the government what laws they want inorder to make more profit. What this means is that if you want to take a multivitamin or some Omega-3, you have to book an appointment with your doctor, go in and try to convince your doctor that you are in need of these supplements. If you doctor doesn’t approve or better yet decides a certain drug would be better off for you then you unfortunately won’t have access to your supplements anymore.On top of this the entire natural supplement industry will collapse on itself, thousands of jobs will be lost and even more stress will be placed on our already crumbing over-stressed medical system. Imagine waiting over a month to get in to see your MD just to request if you can take some oregano oil for a cold that has now come and past, only to have your request denied anyway.The irony of all this is that MDs who are NOT trained in the use of herbs and supplements for the most part will have full control over what you can and CANNOT TAKE. To summarize:- No More Supplement Stores!- Supplements are made illegal unless obtained through a prescription and 70% of all current supplements on the market will be removed!- Prices for obtainable supplements will be higher than they are currently due to the monopolization, and being made into prescriptions!- Restrict research and development of safe natural alternatives in favor of high risk drugs!- Punish Canadians with little or no opportunity for protection or recourse for simply speaking about or giving a natural product without the approval of government!- Fines of up to $5,000,000.00 and/or seek 2 years in jail per incident of being caught breaking any of these newly implemented laws. This includes USING OR SELLING SUPPLEMENTS WITHOUT GOVERNMENT APPROVAL!- YOU WILL LOSE ALL YOUR RIGHTS AND FREEDOM OF CHOICE REGARDING YOUR OWN PERSONAL USE OF SUPPLEMENTS and NATURAL MEDICINE IN CANADA!No More Vitamin C, No More Omega-3, No More Oregano Oil, No More Natural Multivitamins, No more natural sleep aids, NO MORE HERBS, VITAMINS, MINERALS. No more choice in what YOU want to do for YOUR HEALTH!It has been said that these kinds of actions were the first things to happen before the NAZIs gained power. Even if you aren’t interested in taking supplements yourself, you should realize that these kinds of actions are leading our society away from democracy and into some kind of dictatorship run government where people are losing their personal power and allowing the government to do anything they want.Some rumors surrounding bill C-51 is that it is being pushed ahead by pharmaceutical company funding that want complete control of the supplement market by making them prescription only. It’s ALL ABOUT THE MONEY! They’re VERY interested in you taking supplements, because if you do odds are less likely you’ll need THEIR DRUGS. On top of this rumor has it that the Canadian minister of health himself has very large investments in pharmaceutical companies, further backing Bill C-51 so he himself can profit from it! The worst part is he is going out and telling the ill informed that it is in their best interests. People out there need to know the truth!What can you do?Let people know, the best thing you can do is spread the word about this issue. When major media begin to take this seriously and cover the story more, then we can prevent these very negative changes. Start a petition or sign one of the current ones going around. This is really happening people and if we don’t try to stop it now we’ll be paying for it in the years to come.Help STOP BILL C-51 before it passes. ITS NOT TOO LATE! This is a very scary reality that would allow pharmaceutical drug companies complete control over the Canadian Health System. It will be the end of the entire natural health industry, and the end of peoples choice in how they want to take care of their own health!

Nowadays, there are a variety of skin care products available which are rich in vitamins and help in curing different skin related problems. Vitamin C face cream is one such product that enables you to have healthy and glowing skin. Though, whether your skin absorbs these nutrients or it is just another advertising con-job is still arguable. Research shows that there are only three antioxidants that can be absorbed by our skin: selenium, vitamin E and vitamin C. Vitamin C is a tremendous antioxidant that helps in slowing down the natural process of skin aging.

Vitamin C Face Cream

The skin usually begins to show its first signs of aging and wrinkling when the body stops or slows down the production of two proteins: elastin and collagen. These proteins are essential in order to maintain your skin and keep it young. Wrinkling usually occurs in certain areas of the face like under the eyes or around the lips. Therefore, to overcome these skin problems, the use of vitamin C cream for the face is highly beneficial as it assists in the production of collagen. It helps in minimizing the sun damage caused to the skin by neutralizing the free radicals. Though vitamin C face cream has many beneficial properties, it usually costs a pretty penny. Therefore, making your own anti-aging cream is not only a cheaper option, but the final product will surely turn out to be the best vitamin C face cream that you can get.

Steps to Make Vitamin C Face Cream

Things Required:
Microwave safe bowl
1 tsp lanolin
1 cup grape seed oil
2/3 cup distilled water
cup coconut oil
2 tbsp vegetable wax
10 crushed vitamin C tablets
cup aloe vera gel
A jar
Essential oil (optional)
Directions:

Put the oils and other ingredients on the counter and allow them to rest for at least an hour. This will bring their temperatures down to room temperature, as merging them when they are too cold or too warm will prevent them from mixing well. Combine the oils, lanolin and wax in the microwave safe bowl and heat the mixture in the microwave on high for nearly 45 seconds. Remove the bowl and mix everything together, and again put it back in the microwave for another 45 seconds. Continue heating till the wax melts and the ingredients get mixed thoroughly. Now put the distilled water, aloe vera, and vitamin C tablets in a small bowl and mix well. If you like to have a scented face cream, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the mixture and mix well. Combine both the bowl mixtures, and once you feel it has reached the desired consistency, stop mixing. Pour the face cream mixture in the jar and store it in the refrigerator.

Applying vitamin C face creams will not only reduce the signs of aging and wrinkles on the face, but will also give you a radiating and soft skin. In fact, studies have shown people who regularly eat foods high in vitamin C like broccoli, collard green, grapefruits, cauliflower, etc., have fewer wrinkles than those people of the same age. Therefore, along with using vitamin C face creams, incorporating vitamin C rich foods into your diet will not only help you in improving your skin texture but will also enhance your overall health.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, therefore your body doesn’t store it. Vitamin C is needed for the growth and repair of tissues in all part of your body. It helps the body make collagen, an important protein used to make skin, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. In order to heal wounds, and repair and maintain bones and teeth we must have vitamin C.Vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and many other plant-based nutrients are important antioxidants. Free radicals, which occur naturally when our bodies transform food into energy, can be blocked by antioxidants. It is thought that the build-up of free radicals over time may be largely responsible for the aging process. Free radicals can also contribute to the development of poor health.Serious deficiencies in vitamin C are rare today in highly developed societies; however, it is common that mild deficiencies exist. Smokers are usually at a higher risk of vitamin C deficiency than most. Low levels of vitamin C have been associated with a number of conditions. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables with vitamin C is very important. The evidence that taking vitamin C supplements will help or prevent any of these diseases is disputed by some and by many thought to be beneficial.There are signs of vitamin C deficiency to watch for:
Easy to bruise,
Bleeding gums,
Gingivitis,
Scaly skin,
Scurvy,
Nose bleeds,
Rough & Dry Skin,
Wounds slow to heal,
Splitting HairAs stated above, the incidence of serious vitamin C deficiency in the modern world is rare, but if you have any of these situations you might help yourself by taking vitamin C supplements or altering your diet to include more vitamin C.Some of the diseases that can be caused by a vitamin C deficiency are:
Asthma,
Common cold,
Heart disease,
Stroke,
Cancer,
Gout,
Cataracts,
Osteoarthritis,
Age-related macular degenerationBe sure that you are getting a diet rich in vitamin C or if your lifestyle doesn’t permit you to get all of the vitamin C you need in your diet, be sure to take a supplement in order to insure that your body has the vitamin C it needs.

What good can Vitamin C do to us? How much do we need to take? Can I get too much? Should I take a supplement? You can find the answers to these questions here.Vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid. It’s one of the most flexible vitamins. It prevents you from bruising quickly and helps your wounds to heal. It toughens capillaries, the blood vessels and the connective tissues that lie beneath your skin, and steadies your bones. It is also a powerful antioxidant, meaning it clears your body from harmful oxygen molecules and free radicals that can do cell damages, which leads to heart disease, cancer, arthritis, cataracts and other health complications. Vitamin C also makes your immune system strong.How much you should takeVitamin C is essential for both men and women.For the women, Vitamin C: Increases fertility Improves the hormone levels Helps the Iron to be absorbed Makes the immune system healthyThe dosage for women is 1000mg. It can come from foods or supplements. Take note, too much vitamin C can make an acidic environment in the vagina and can dry up the cervical fluid.For the men, Vitamin C: Keeps the sperms from clumping Improves movementThe dosage for men is 1000mg per day. Sources of Vitamin C are oranges, red bell peppers and strawberries.Should you take supplements?It’s ok to not take vitamin supplements if you are eating a lot of vegetables and fruits (about 9 servings per day). Studies show that additional vitamin C can shorten your sufferings and lessen cold symptoms. Is too much OK?People can possibly have up to 2000mg of vitamin C per day without side effects. If you wish to have more than that, it’s better to consult your doctor first.

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is one of the important B-complex vitamins. Chemically, it is soluble in water (rather than fats), hence it belongs to the water soluble group of vitamins. There are three primary forms of vitamin B6, namely, pyridoxine (PN), pyridoxal (PL) and pyridoxamine (PM). As per studies on vitamin B6 properties, it is found that pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP), which is a phosphate ester derivative, is the only metabolically active form. Read more on vitamin B.

There are several vitamin B6 benefits, which are crucial for the overall health of an individual. Considering this, one should include pyridoxine-rich foods in the regular diet plan, so as to meet the daily requirements. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin B6 for an adult is 1.3 mg. Nevertheless, it is required in higher amounts for pregnant and lactating women. During pregnancy, the RDA of vitamin B6 is 1.9 mg, while for a lactating mother, it is 2.0 mg. Let’s discuss in brief about the sources, benefits and deficiency symptoms of vitamin B6.

Sources of Vitamin B6

As the human body cannot synthesize vitamin B6, it is obtained from the daily foods and drinks. The dietary sources of vitamin B6 include a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals, fish, poultry and meat. Some of the vitamin B6-rich food items include banana, avocado, walnut, tomato juice, potato, soybean, beans, spinach, oatmeal, wheat bran, fortified ready-to-eat cereals, milk, cheese, peanut butter, eggs, tuna, salmon, chicken breast, pork and mutton. Other than food sources, vitamin B6 supplements are available in the market, which should be administered in correct dosage. Otherwise, intake of high dose vitamin B6 supplements for a prolonged period can lead to medical problems. Read more on vitamin supplements.

Benefits of Vitamin B6

Speaking about vitamin B6 benefits, it plays a major role in the coordination of the body’s metabolic processes. It is opined that vitamin B6 functions as a co-enzyme and regulates more than 100 enzymatic reactions. Overall, vitamin B6 helps the nervous system functioning, hormone regulation and formation of red blood cells (RBCs), nucleic acids and amino acids. Following is a list of the benefits of the B6 vitamin:

Breakdown of Complex Nutrients
One of the major vitamin B6 benefits is breaking down of complex nutrients like proteins, carbohydrates and fats into simpler forms, which can be easily assimilated by the body cells and tissues. Hence, people who are dieting on high proteinaceous foods require relatively high amount of pyridoxine than others.

Strengthening the Immune System
Vitamin B6 helps in synthesis of RBCs and antibodies, which are responsible for the body’s defense mechanism. In simpler terms, vitamin B6 promotes the immune system of the body. Hence, those suffering from vitamin B6 deficiency manifest a weakened immune system.

Relieving Edema
One of the vitamin B6 health benefits is relieving water retention or edema, which results in swelling of body parts. Generally, B-complex vitamins containing specific concentrations of pyridoxine and other vitamins are recommended for treatment of edema. Read more on cure for water retention.

Treating Hair loss
Vitamin B6 benefits for hair include preventing hair loss and promoting growth of the hair. Other than this, it helps in getting rid of dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. Some people even use vitamin B6 for treatment of skin disorders like eczema, acne and psoriasis.

Combating Premenstrual Syndrome
According to medical researches, vitamin B6 and onset of premenstrual syndrome are interrelated. Increasing vitamin B6-rich foods in the diet plan is effective in combating the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

Treating Morning Sickness
Various studies have been done with respect to vitamin B6 benefits and pregnancy. In a case study, it was found that vitamin B6 can be used for treatment of morning sickness, which many women experience during the first months of pregnancy.

Regulating Blood Pressure
Another benefit of vitamin B6 is lowering the blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It also prevents the blood platelets from sticking together. This shows that vitamin B6 indirectly helps in preventing blood circulation problems.

Preventing Heart Disease
In recent times, it has been discovered that vitamin B6 also helps in preventing heart diseases. When there is insufficient amount of pyridoxine in the body, homocysteine level increases, which in turn damages the lining of blood vessels. Overall, this leads to plaque formation, thus increasing the risk of heart diseases. Read more on B complex vitamin benefits.

In addition, vitamin B6 shows positive results regarding treatment of problems associated with magnesium deficiency, autism, schizophrenia, depression and attention deficit disorder. Doctors are of the opinion that increased intake of pyridoxine aids in better assimilation of other dietary supplements and treatment medications. This is the reason why, pyridoxine is used in specific concentration along with other B vitamins for vitamin B-complex formulations. Read more on vitamin B complex injections.

Deficiency of Vitamin B6

As already discussed, vitamin B6 is crucial for the normal metabolic processes of the body. Thus, low intake of vitamin B6 for an extended period can lead to various medical problems. Usually, deficiency of vitamin B6 occurs in individuals with a poor quality diet and those who are on specific medications. Also, it is observed that alcoholic abusers are at a higher risk of developing vitamin B6 deficiency than others. This is due to the fact that certain medications and alcohol disturbs the normal assimilation of vitamin B6. Read more on:
Vitamin B Complex Deficiency
Vitamin Deficiency
Some of the notable vitamin B6 deficiency symptoms are skin problems, sore tongue (glossitis), mouth ulcer, anemia, irritability, confusion, depression and at times, seizures. As these health problems mimic other diseases, timely medical evaluation is advisable to avoid any health complications. For combating the deficiency symptoms, the person should increase the dietary intake of vitamin B6 or administer vitamin B6 supplements. Read more on vitamin B complex side effects.

This was a brief description about vitamin B6 benefits and deficiency symptoms. Though pyridoxine supplements are effective for treating deficiency symptoms of vitamin B6, excess intake can worsen the condition. In order to minimize the risk of vitamin B6 overdose, it is mandatory to include other B-complex vitamins and magnesium supplements. On a safety note, always take the physician’s advice while taking pyridoxine supplements.

1. What is Vitamin B5? most commonly called pantothenic acid member of the B-complex family of vitamins first researched in the 1930-1940s as a required growth factor for many kinds of organisms, including yeasts, birds, and rodents. name of the vitamin comes from the Greek word pantos, meaning “everywhere.” Vitamin B5 is almost universal present in nature – including in virtually all types of food. In its metabolically active form, vitamin B5 gets combined with another small, sulfur-containing molecule to form coenzyme A (or simply, CoA). This conversion allows vitamin B5 to participate in a wide variety of chemical reactions.2. What is the function of Vitamin B5?Regulation of skin oilB5 helps regulate oil by helping with the metabolism of fats in the body, and in the skin. once the fats are metabolized, they no longer need to be excreted through the sebaceous glands.Release of Energy from Carbohydrates and FatsWhen found in its CoA form, vitamin B5 plays a pivotal role in helping release energy from sugars, starches, and fats. Increased levels of vitamin B5 in the blood of marathon runners, for example, has led to interest in this vitamin as a potential aid in physical training, where sustained energy release from the mitochondria is critical. For this reason, vitamin B5 has been reported to aid weight loss.Production of fatsWhile the CoA form of vitamin B5 is important for releasing energy stored as fat, it is equally important for the creation of fat. Two basic types of fats – fatty acids and cholesterol (both essential to a healthy body) – both require the CoA form of B5 for their synthesis.Changing the shape and function of proteinsSometimes it is important for the body to make small chemical changes in the shape of cell proteins. One way for cells to accomplish this task is by attaching a special chemical group, called an acetyl group, to the proteins. Vitamin B5, in the form of CoA, can be used to help acetylate proteins, thereby protecting them from chemical breakdown. This process is especially well-researched in relationship to the body’s adrenal glands, where stress-related hormone production requires participation of vitamin B5.3. What are deficiency symptoms for Vitamin B5? Fatigue Listlessness sensations of weakness “burning foot syndrome” – numbness and tingling, together with burning and shooting pain in the feet4. What are toxicity symptoms for Vitamin B5? At very high supplemental doses of 2 or more grams per day, intake of vitamin B5 can cause mild diarrhea. Lower doses of this vitamin (in the 500 milligram range) have also been used to treat constipation due to this association with diarrhea. Other than temporary diarrhea at high does of vitamin B5, no other toxicity symptoms have been reported in literature. Thus, no Tolerable Upper Limit (UL) was established by the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences in its 1998 public health recommendations for vitamin B5.5. How do cooking, storage, or processing affect Vitamin B5? Pantothenic acid is relatively unstable in food, and significant amounts of this vitamin can be lost through cooking, freezing, and commercial processing. Research on frozen foods has shown a loss of 21-70% for vitamin B5 in animal products (like meats), and similar losses for processed grains (like cereal grains) and canned vegetables. Fruits and fruit juices lose 7-50% of their vitamin B5 during processing and packaging.6. What factors might contribute to a deficiency of Vitamin B5? poor dietary intake digestive problems – proper digestion is required to release vitamin B5 from the CoA form and allow it to be absorbed into the body from the small intestine.7. What medications affect Vitamin B5?No detrimental drug reactions have been reported for vitamin B5.8. How do other nutrients interact with Vitamin B5?In animal studies, vitamins B12, folate, and biotin are required for proper use of vitamin B5 in the body’s biochemical pathways. In addition, vitamin C appears to help prevent B5 deficiency.9. What health conditions require special emphasis on Vitamin B5?Vitamin B5 may play a role in the prevention and/or treatment of the following health conditions:*Acne*Excess skin oil or overactive oil glands*Adrenal insufficiency*”Burning foot” syndrome*Cataracts*Chronic fatigue syndrome*General fatigue*Hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat in the blood)*Osteoarthritis*Rheumatoid arthritis10. What forms of Vitamin B5 are found in dietary supplements?Common forms are Pantothenic acid and calcium-D-pantothenate.11. Good sources of Vitamin B5Crimini mushrooms, rawCauliflower, boiledBroccoli, steamedCalf’s liver, braisedTurnip greens, cookedSunflower seeds, rawTomato, ripeStrawberriesGrapefruitYogurt, low-fatEgg, whole, boiledWinter squash, baked, cubesCollard greens, boiledSwiss chard, boiledCorn, yellow, cooked

Vitamin B5 For Acne – Is It A Good Thing

Taking supplemental vitamins for acne to help fight acne is not a new idea. Many people are lacking in the necessary vitamins to maintain a happy, healthy body – and that includes the skin!
Your skin is your body’s largest organ. It requires a wide spectrum of vitamins and minerals to look and feel it’s best. Vitamins A, C, E, K and vitamin B complex as well as minerals such as zinc, chromium and selenium are all necessary. However, in today’s ‘fast world’ inadequate eating habits are the leading cause of vitamin deficiencies. To compensate, you may choose to add a quality multivitamin to your diet.

One of the most beneficial vitamins for treating acne is claimed to be the vitamin B group and in particular, vitamin B5 or Pantothenic acid.
Vitamin B5 for acne is causing quite a stir throughout the Internet, There are many web sites competing for your attention. Some claim that mega doses of vitamin B5 will completely eradicate all traces of your acne while others claim that such B5 doses are totally useless and even dangerous.
Who do you believe?
A regiment of vitamin B5 to treat acne is claimed to be second only to treatments based on vitamin A such as Accutane – but much safer. Accutane is very effective because it shuts down oil producing glands that cause acne, however, a list of side-effect have created ‘bad press’ for Accutane. B5 on the other hand, is suppose to be effective and safe because it increases your body’s ability to metabolize oil rather than to stop oil production altogether.
B5 is an essential vitamin and can be found in our everyday diets. Foods such as eggs, yeast, whole-wheat, broccoli and red meat all contain vitamin B5. There is no proof to indicate that taking large doses of B5 to treat acne are dangerous – only opinions.
Programs that suggest mega doses of up to 10 grams or more of B5 each day may be unnecessary. Since vitamins B5 is water-soluble, much of it would be flushed from your system before your body could absorb what it needed. That may be why as many as 20 tablets a day are recommended. Some may find that very hard to swallow!
A program that offers time-released vitamins for acne may be the answer. A lower dose of 2 to 3 grams of vitamin B5 each day, time-released to allow your body to absorb it makes sense. Why take 20 tablets when you can get the same results with 4 to 6? It is much cheaper too!
In the end, the decision to use vitamins for acne treatment will be yours. Supplementing a poor diet with multivitamins will certainly help to improve your skin and your over-all health. Additional vitamin B5, if used sensibly, promises a safe, natural and effective solution to your acne.
———————————–
Cindy English publishes informative articles and product reviews of today’s most popular acne treatments.Visit the Acne Skin Care Guide.It’s the first step to a clearer complexion and greater self-esteem!
Copyright 2006 by Cindy English