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The
word ‘ Vitamine’ meaning a vital amine was
proposed by a Polish Researcher, Dr. Cacimir Funk, in
1911 to designate a new food substance which cured
beri-beri. Other terms were proposed as new factors were
discovered. But the word vitamin , with the final
‘e’ dropped, met with popular favour.
Vitamins are potent organic compounds which are found in
small concentrations in foods. They perform specific and
vital functions in the body chemistry. They are like
electric sparks which help to run human motors. Except
for a few exceptions, they cannot be manufactured or
synthesized by the organism and their absence or improper
absorption results in specific deficiency disease. It is
not possible to sustain life without all the essential
vitamins. In their natural state they are found in minute
quantities in organic foods. WE must obtain them from
these foods or in dietary supplements.
Vitamins, which are of several kinds, differ from each
other in physiological function, in chemical structure
and in their distribution in food. They are broadly
divided into two categories, namely, fat-soluble and
water-soluble. Vitamins A, D, E and K are all soluble in
fat and fat solvents and are therefore, known as
fat-soluble. They are not easily lost by ordinary cooking
methods and they can be stored in the body to some
extent, mostly in the liver. They are measured in
international units. Vitamin B Complex and C are water
soluble. They are dissolved easily in cooking water. A
portion of these vitamins may actually be destroyed by
heating.
They cannot be stored in body and hence they have to be
taken daily in foods. Any extra quantity taken in any one
day is eliminated as waste. Their values are given in
milligrams and micrograms, whichever is appropriate.
Vitamins, used therapeutically, can be of immense help in
fighting disease and speeding recovery. They can be used
in two ways, namely, correcting deficiencies and treating
disease in place of drugs. Latest researches indicate
that many vitamins taken in large doses far above the
actual nutritional needs, can have a miraculous healing
effect in a wide range of common complaints and
illnesses. Vitamin therapy has a distinct advantage over
drug therapy. While drugs are always toxic and have many
undesirable side effects, vitamins , as a rule are
non-toxic and safe.
The various functions of common vitamins, their
deficiency symptoms, natural sources, daily requirements
and their therapeutic uses are discussed in brief as
follows : Vitamin A
Known as
anti-opathalmic, vitamin A is essential for growth and
vitality. It builds up resistance to respiratory and
other infections and works mainly on the eyes, lungs,
stomach and intestines. It prevents eye diseases and
plays a vital role in nourishing the skin and hair. It
helps to prevent premature ageing and senillity,
increases life expectancy and extends youthfulness. The
main sources of this vitamin are fish liver oil, liver,
whole milk, curds, pure ghee, butter, cheese, cream and
egg yolk, green leafy and certain yellow root vegetables
such as spinach, lettuce, turnip, beets, carrot, cabbage
and tomato and ripe fruits such as prunes,
mangoes,pappaya, apricots, peaches, almonds and other dry
fruits. A prolonged deficinecy of vitamin A may result in
inflammation of the eyes, poor vision frequent colds,
night blindness and increased susceptibility to
infections, lack of appetite and vigour, defective teeth
and gums and skin disorders.
The recommended daily allowance of vitamin A is 5,000
international units for adults and 2,600 to 4,000
international units for children. When taken in large
therapeutic doses, which are usually 25,000 to 50,000
units a day, it is highly beneficial in the treatment of
head and chest colds, sinus trouble, influenza and other
infectious diseases . It is also valuable in curing night
blindness and other eye diseases as well as many stubborn
skin disorders. This vitamin can be given upto 1,00,000
units a day for a limited period of four weeks under
doctor’s supervision.
In a recent year-long study, huge doses of vitamin A
given twice a year reduced death by about 30 per cent
among Indonesian children. This has raised the hope in
the fight against a significant cause of childhood
mortality in developing countries.
B
COMPLEX VITAMINS
There are a
large variety of vitamins in the B group, the more
important being B1 or thiamine, B2 or riboflavin, B3 or
niacin or nicotinic acid, B6 or pyridoxine, B9 or folic
acid, B12 and B5 or pantothenic acid. B vitamins are
synergistic. They are more potent together than when used
seperately.
THIAMINE
Known as
anti-beberi, anti-neuritic and anti-ageing vitamin,
thiamine plays an important role in the normal
functioning of the nervous system, the regulation of
carbohydrates and good digestion. It protects heart
muscle, stimulates brain action and helps prevent
constipation. It has a mild diuretic effect. Valuable
sources of this vitamin are wheat germ, yeast, the outer
layer of whole grains, cereals, pulses,nuts, peas,
legumes, dark green leafy vegetables, milk , egg,banana
and apple. The deficiency of thiamine can cause serious
impairment of the digestive system and chronic
constipation, loss of weight, diabetes, mental
depression, nervous exhaustion and weakness of the heart.
The recommended daily allowance for this vitamin is about
two milligrams for adults and 1.2 mg. for children. The
need for this vitamin increases during illness, stress
and surgery as well as during pregnancy and lactation.
When taken in a large quantity, say upto 50 mg. , it is
beneficial in the treatment of digestive disorders,
neuritis and other nervous troubles as well as mental
depression. For best results, all other vitamins of B
group should be administered simultaneously. Prolonged
ingestion of large doses of any one of the isolated B
complex vitamins may result in high urinary losses of
other B-vitamins and lead to deficiencies of these
vitamins.
RIBOFLAVIN
Vitamin B2 or
riboflavin, also known as vitamin G, is essential for
growth and general health as also for healthy eyes, skin,
nails and hair. It helps eliminate sore mouth, lips and
tongue. It also functions with other substances to
metabolis carbohydrates, fats, and protein. The main
sources of this vitamin are green leafy vegetables, milk,
cheese, wheat germ, egg, almonds, sunflower, seeds,
citrus fruits and tomatoes. Its deficiency can cause a
burning sensation in the legs, lips and tongue, oily
skin, premature wrinkles on face and arm and eczema.
The recommended daily allowance for this vitamin is 1.6
to 2.6 mg. for adults and 0.6 to one mg for children. Its
use in larger quantities, say from 25 to 50 mg. is
beneficial in the treatment of nutritional cataracts and
other eye ailments, digestive disturbances, nervous
depression, general debility, and certain types of high
blood pressure.
NIACIN
Vitamin B3 or
niacin or nicotinic acid is essential for proper
circulation, healthy functioning of the nervous system
and proper protein and carbohydrate metabolism. It is
essential for synthesis of sex hormones, cartisone,
thyroxin and insulin. It is contained in liver, fish,
poultry, peanut, whole wheat,green leafy vegetables,
dates, figs, prunes and tomato. A deficiency can lead to
skin eruptions, frequent stools, mental depression,
insomnia, chronic headaches, digestives disorders and
anaemia.
The recommended daily allowance is 12 to 20 mg. for
adults and 4.8 to 12 mg. for children. Large doses of
this vitamin say upto 100 mg. with each meal, preferably
together with other B group vitamins, affords relief in
case of migraine and high blood pressure caused by
nervousness, high cholesterol and arteriosclerosis.
PYRIDOXINE
Vitamin B 6 or
pyridoxine is actually a group of substance - pyridoxine,
pyridoxinal and pyridoxamine - that are closely related
and function together. It helps in the absorption of fats
and proteins, prevents nervous and skin disorders and
protects against degenerative diseases. The main sources
of this vitamin are yeast, wheat, bran, wheat germ,
pulses, cereals, banana, walnuts, soyabeans , milk, egg,
liver, meat and fresh vegetables. Deficiency can lead to
dermatitis, conjuctivitis, anaemia, depression, skin
disorders, nervousness, insomnia, migraine headaches and
heart diseases.
The recommended daily requirement is 2.0 mg. for adults
and 0.2 mg. for children. This vitamin used
therapeuticlly from 100 to 150 mg. daily can relieve
painful jonts and the discomforts of pregnancy and
pre-menstrual symptoms. Vitamin B6 is now the most
intensively studied of all vitamins. Researches are on
the threshold of a number of promising developments
involving treatments of various ailments with this
vitamin. They include hyperactivity in children, asthma,
arthritis, kidney stones, blood clots in heart attack
victims and nervous disorders.
FOLIC
ACID
Vitamin B9 or
folic acid, along with vitamin B12 is necessary for the
formation of red blood cells. It is essential for the
growth and division of all body cells for healing
processes. It aids protein metabolism and helps prevent
premature greying. Valuable sources of this vitamin are
deep green leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce,
brewers yeast, mushrooms , nuts,peanuts and liver. A
deficiency can result in certain types of anaemia,
serious skin disorders, loss of hair, impaired
circulation, fatigue and mental depression.
The minimum daily requirement of this vitamin is 0.4 mg.
To correct anaemia and deficiencies 5 mg or more are
needed daily. Some authorities believe that folic acid is
contraindicated in leukemia and cancer.
PANTOTHENIC
ACID
Vitamin B5 or
pantothenic acid helps in cell building, main- taining
normal growth and development of the central nervous
system. It stimulates the adrenal glands and increases
the production of cortisone and other adrenal hormones.
It is essential for conversion of fatty and sugar to
energy. It also helps guard against most physical and
mental stresses and toxins and increases vitality. The
main sources of this vitamin are whole grain bread and
cereals, green vegetables,peas , beans, peanuts and egg
yolk. It can be synthesised in the body by intestinal
bacteria. A deficiency can cause chronic fatigue,
hypoglycemia, greying and loss of hair, mental
depression, stomach disorders , blood and skin disorders.
The minimum daily requirement of this vitamin has not
been established, but is estimated to be between 30 and
50 mg a day. The usual therapeutic doses are 50 to 200
mg. In some studies, 1,000 mg or more were given daily
for six moths without side effects. It is useful in the
treatment of insomnia, low blood pressure and
hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.
VITAMIN
B12
Vitamin B12 or
cobolamin, commonly known as "red vitamin" , is
the only vitamin that contains essential mineral
elements. It is essential for proper functioning of the
central nervous system, production and regeneration of
red blood cells and proper utilisation of fat,
carbohydrates and protein for body building. It also
improves concentration, memory and balance. Valuable
sources of this vitamin are kidney, liver, meat, milk,
eggs, bananas and peanuts. Its deficiency can lead to
certain types of anaemia , poor appetite and loss of
energy and mental disorders.
The recommended daily allowance of this vitamin is 3 mcg.
Taken in large therapeutic doses from 50 to 100 mcg., it
is beneficial in the treatment of lack of concentration,
fatigue, depression, insomnia and poor memory.
VITAMIN
C
Vitamin C or
ascorbic acid is essential for normal growth and the
maintenance of practically all the body tissues,
especially those of the joints, bones, teeth, and gums.
It protects one against infections and acts as a harmless
antibiotic. It promotes healing and serves as protection
against all forms of stress and harmful effects of toxic
chemicals. It helps prevent and cure the common cold. It
also helps in decreasing blood cholesterol. This vitamin
is found in citrus fruits, berries, green and leafy
vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes, sprouted bengal and green
grams, A deficiency can cause scurvy marked by weakness,
anaemia, bleeding gums and painful and swollen parts,
slow healing of sores and wounds, premature ageing and
lowered resistance to all infections.
The recommended daily allowance is 50 to 75 mg. for
adults and 30 to 50 mg. for children. Smokers and older
persons have greater need for vitamin C. It is used
therapeutically in huge doses from 100 to 10,000mg. a
day. It prevents and cures colds and infections
effectively, neutralises various toxins in the system,
speeds healing processes in virtually all cases of ill
health, increases sexual vitality and prevents premature
ageing. According to Dr. Linus Pauling, a world famous
chemist and nutrition expert, " because vitamin C is
one of the least toxic vitamins, it is very safe to use
in high doses. " Your body will take exactly what it
needs and excrete any excess naturally."
VITAMIN
D
Vitamin D is
necessary for proper bone and teeth formation and for the
healthy functioning of the thyroid gland. It assists in
the assimilation of calcium, phosphorus and other
minerals from the digestive tract. This vitamin is found
in the rays of the sun, fish,milk, eggs, butter and
sprouted seeds. A deficiency can cause gross deformation
of bones and severe tooth decay.
The recommended daily allowance of this vitamin for both
adults and children is 400 to 500 international units.
Therepeutically, upto 4,000 to 5,000 units a day for
adult or half of this for children, is a safe dose, if
taken for not longer than one month. It is beneficial in
the treatment of muscular fatigue, constipation and
nervousness. It can be toxic if taken in excessive doses,
especially for children. Signs of toxicity are unusual
thirst, sore eyes, itching skin, vomiting, diarrhoea,
urinary urgency, abnormal calcium deposits in blood
vessel walls, liver, lungs, kidneys and stomach.
VITAMIN
E
Vitamin E is
essential for normal reproductory functions, fertility
and physical vigour. It prevents unsaturated fatty acids,
sex hormones and fat soluble vitamins from being
destroyed in the body by oxygen. It dilutes blood vessels
and improves circulation. It is essential for the
prevention of heart diseases, asthma, arthritis, and many
other conditions. It is available in wheat or cereals
germ, whole grain products, green leafy vegetables, milk,
eggs, all whole, raw or sprouted seeds and nuts. Its
deficiency can lead to sterility in men and repeated
abortions in women, degenerative developments in the
coronary system, strokes and heart disease.
The official estimated requirement of this vitamin is 15
international units. Expert nutritionist estimate the
actual requirement at 100 to 200 I.U. a day. The
therapeutic doses are from 200 to 2400 I.U. daily. It is
beneficial in the treatment of various forms of
paralysis, diseases of the muscles, artheriosclerosic
heart disease by diluting blood vessels. It prevents
formation of scars in burns and post-operation healing.
It protects against many environmental poisons in air,
water and food. It also has a dramatic effect on the
reproductive organs and prevents miscarriage, increases
male and female fertility and helps to restore male
potency.
VITAMIN
K
Vitamin K is
necessary for the proper clotting of blood, prevention of
bleeding and normal liver functions. It aids in reducing
excessive menstrual flow. This vitamin is contained in
egg yolk, cow’s milk, yogurt, alfalfa, green and
leafy vegetables, spinach, cauliflower, cabbage and
tomato. Its deficiency can lead to sufficient bile salts
in the intestines, colitis, lowered vitality and
premature ageing.
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