Why are we told to take our vitamins?

Well, today I would like to share the role of each Vitamin and how it positively affects our body and daily production. Knowing this information will also help you shift from "passive caring" to "active caring" for your better health and well-being. Taking CARE of our "self" is our RESPONSIBILITY. This is an empowering position to embrace, Good health is strength and sickness is weakness. You choose.

VITAMIN A and the CAROTENOIDS:

• prevents night blindness and other eye problems
  
• some skin disorders, such as acne
  
• Enhances immunity, may help to heal gastrointestinal ulcers
  
• important in formation of bones and teeth
• protects against flu, colds, and infections in kidneys, bladder, lungs and mucous membranes
• acts as an antioxidant protecting cells from cancer and other diseases
• necessary for new cell growth
• guards against heart disease and stroke and lowers cholesterol levels
• helps reduce fine lines in skin and helps fade age spots
• deficiency can cause dry hair and/or skin, poor growth, insomnia fatigue, frequent colds, reproductive difficulties and dryness of the cornea and conjunctiva
• sources include fish liver oils, garlic, kale, mustard greens, green and yellow fruits and vegies, apricots, asparagus, beet greens, broccli, cantaloupe, carrots, peaches, papayas, pumpkin, red peppers, spinach, sweet potatoes, spirulina, yellow squash, alfalfa, paprika, cayenne, rose hips, nettle, lemon grass, sage

VITAMIN B COMPLEX:

• are involved in ENERGY production
  
• helps maintain the health of the nerves, eyes, skin, hair, liver and mouth
• proper brain function
• healthy muscle tone in the gastrointestinal tract
• act as coenzymes, helping enzymes to react chemically with other substances
• useful for alleviating depression and anxiety

1. THIAMINE~B1

• enhances circulation and assists in blood formation, carbohydrate metabolism and the production of hydrochloric acid (important for proper digestion)
• also optimizes cognitive activity and brain function
• has a positive effect on energy, growth, normal appetite, and learning capacity
• needed for proper muscle tone of the intesines, stomach and heart
• acts as an antioxidant protecting the body from degenerative effects of aging, alcohol consumption, and smoking
• deficiency symptoms are constipation, edema, enlarged liver, fatigue,forgetfulness, heart changes, irritability, muscle atrophy, loss of appetite, gastrointestinal disturbances
• sources include brown rice, egg yolks, fish, legumes, liver, peanuts, peas, pork, poultry, rice bran, wheat germ, whole grains, asparagus, broccli, brussel sprouts, kelp, oatmeal, dried prunes, raisins, spirulina, alfalfa, burdock root, peppermint, yellow dock, yarrow, sage, raspberry leaf, cayenne, chamomile

1. RIBOFLAVIN~B2

• necessary for red blood cell formation, antibody production, cell respiration, and growth
• alleviates eye fatigue, important in the prevention and treatment of cataracts
• aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins
• with vitamin A, it maintains and improves the mucous membranes in the digestive tract
• facilitates the use of oxygen by the tissues of the skin, nails and hair; eliminates dandruff and helps the absorption of iron and vitamin B6
• carpal tunnel syndrome may benefit from a treatment program that includes Riboflavin and B6
• deficiency includes eye disorders, cracks and sores in the crack of the mouth, inflammation of the mouth and tongue, skin lesions, dermatitis, dizziness, hair loss, insomnia, light sensitivity, poor digestion, slow mental responses, retarded growth
• sources found in cheese, egg yolks, fish, legumes, meat, milk, poultry, spinach, whole grains, yogurt, asparagus, avocados, broccoli, brussel sprouts, currants, dandelion greens, dulse, kelp, leafy green vegetables, mushrooms, molasses, nuts, alfalfa, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, ginseng, sage, rose hips, horsetail, raspberry leaves, red clover, peppermint

1. NIACIN~B3

• proper circulation and healthy skin
  
• aids in functioning of the nervous system
• metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins
• production of hydrochloric acid for the digestive system
• is involved in the normal secretion of bile and stomach fluids and in the synthesis of sex hormones
• lowers cholesterol and improves circulation
• helpful for schizophrenia and other mental illnesses and is also a memory enhancer
• deficiency includes canker sores, dementia, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, halitosis, headaches, indigestion, insomnia, limb pains, loss of appetite, low blood sugar
• sources found in beef liver, brewers yeast, broccoli, carrots, cheese, corn flour, dandelion greens, dates, eggs, fish, milk, peanust, pork, potatoes, tomatoes, wheat germ, whole wheat products, alfafa, burdock root, catnip, cayenne

1. PANTOTHENIC ACID~B5

• known as "the anti-stress vitamin", pantothenic acid plays a role in the production of the adrenal hormones and the formation of antibodies
• aids in vitamin utilization
  
• helps to convert fats, carbohydrates, and proteins into energy
• is required by all cells in the body and is concentrated in the organs
• involved in the production of neurotransmitters
• is a stamina enhancer
  
• prevents certain forms of anemia
• helpful in treating depression and anxiety
• deficiency causes fatigue, headache, nausea, tingling in the hands, needed for the proper functioning of the adrenal glands
• sources found in beef, brewer's yeast, eggs, fresh vegetables, kidney, legumes, liver, mushrooms, nuts, pork, royal jelly, saltwater fish, whole wheat, whole rye

1. PYRIDOXINE~B6 (is in more bodily functions than almost any other single nutrient and affects both physical and mental health. It is beneficial if you suffer from water retention and is necessary for the production of hydrochloric acid and the absorption of fats and protein)
   

• aids in sodium and potassium balance
• promotes red blood cell promotion
• needed for normal brain function and required by the nervous system
• activates many enzymes and aids in the absorption of Vitamin B12 in immune system function and in antibody production
• plays a role in cancer immunity
• aids in prevention of arteriosclerosis
• inhibits the formation of a toxic chemical called homocysteine, which attacks the heart muscle and allows the deposition of cholesterol around the heart muscle
• acts as a mild diuretic, reducing the symptoms of premenstral syndrome
• useful in the treatment of arthritis, alergies and asthma
• deficiency results in anemia, convulsions, headaches, nausea, flaky skin, a sore tongue and vomiting, acne, anorexia, arthritis, conjunctivitis, cracks or sores on the mouth and lips, depression, dizziness, fatigue, hyperirritability, impaired memory or memory loss, hair loss, impaired wound healing, stunted growth, carpal tunnel has been linked to def. in B6
• sources found in brewers yeast, carrots, chicken, eggs, fish, meat, peas, spinach, sunflower seeds, walnuts, and wheat germ, avocado, bananas, beans, blackstrap molasses, broccoli, brown rice, whole grains, cabbage, cantaloupe, corn, dulse, plantains, potatoes, rice bran, tempeh, soybeans, alfalfa, catnip, oat straw

Tomorrow I will continue with this list of Vitamins and their important roles they play in our physical and mental health. I hope this will inspire you, as it did me, to making healthier decisions regarding the foods you eat and also motivate you to seeing the importance of taking your vitamins everyday.

HealthyLiving4HappyLife to everyone
Many BLESSINGS,
SUNNY MILLER
www.passion4lifevitamins.com/sunnymiller