Other Supplements

Some other dietary supplements claim to be beneficial to heart health. For example, studies have shown that garlic can lower cholesterol up to 9 percent and may prevent platelets from sticking and block arteries. You may need to take large quantities to achieve this, however, may increase your risk of bleeding if taken anticoagulant medications like warfarin. The herb hawthorn is also mentioned as beneficial for improving heart function. An important point to remember, however, is that there is little scientific evidence on the usefulness or safety of many herbal supplements and alternative.

The herbs, vitamins and minerals are considered dietary supplements by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Their formulas and packaging are very similar to each other.

Clinical studies have shown that some herbal supplements are safe and effective. Research has also ruled out other herbs that are considered hazardous.

A growing number of doctors are working to better understand herbal therapies to help you make decisions with good information about health care.

A recent study found that most people who choose herbal therapy rely on family and friends mainly for information. But if you choose herbal therapy, be sure to talk with your doctor first. Also, remember that in addition to supplements, there is nothing better than a healthy lifestyle.

Vitamin A is a Fat-Soluble Vitamin

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is derived from two sources: preformed retinoid and provitamin carotenoids. Retinoid such as retinal and retinoic acids found in animal sources like liver, kidneys, eggs and dairy products. Carotenoids such as beta carotene (which has vitamin A activity highest) as found in plants or dark yellow vegetables and carrots.

Natural retinoid are present in all living organisms, either as preformed vitamin A or as carotenoids and are required for a vast number of biological processes such as vision and cell growth. An important biological function of vitamin A (as the metabolite retinal) is in the visual cycle. Research also suggests that vitamin A can reduce mortality from measles, prevent some cancers, to assist the growth and development and improve immune function.

The Institute for Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences USA has established levels of recommended daily allowance (RDA, in English) for oral intake of vitamin A in order to prevent vitamin A deficiency at recommended doses; it is considered that vitamin A is not toxic in general terms. An excessive dose can cause acute or chronic toxicity.

Vitamin A deficiency is rare in industrialized nations but remains a concern in developing countries, particularly in areas where malnutrition is common. Prolonged deficiency can lead to exophthalmia (dry eye) and, ultimately, to night blindness or total blindness as well as skin disorders, infections (like measles), diarrhea and respiratory disorders.

Vitamins

Vitamins are organic substances essential in the metabolic processes that take place in the nutrition of living beings. Do not bring energy, since it is not used as fuel, but without them the body is unable to take the constructive elements and energy provided by food. Usually used inside cells as precursors of coenzymes, from which are prepared thousands of enzymes that regulates chemical reactions of living cells.

The vitamins must be supplied through diet because the human body can not synthesize them. One exception is vitamin D, which can be formed in the skin with sun exposure, and vitamins A, B1, B12 and folic acid, formed in small amounts in the intestinal flora.

With a balanced diet and plenty of fresh, natural products, we will have all the necessary vitamins and will not need any additional input in the form of supplements or herbal pharmacy. An increase of biological needs requires an increase in these substances, as in certain stages of childhood, pregnancy, lactation and in old age. Consumption of snuff, alcohol or drugs in general causes a greater expenditure of some vitamins, so in these cases you may need nutritional supplements. We must bear in mind that most synthetic vitamins are no substitute for the organic, i.e. those contained in food or extracted from natural products (yeast, wheat germ, etc.). Although the molecules of the synthetic vitamins have the same structural elements that organic, in many cases have the same spatial configuration, thus changing its properties?

There are two types of vitamins: fat soluble (A, D, E, and K), which dissolve in fats and oils and water soluble (C and B complex), which dissolve in water. Let's see the general characteristics of each group and the main features of the most important vitamins. It includes tables with foods rich in each vitamin and the amount needed per day according to the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) National Research Council of the United States (NRC, USA). We have also included a table of minimum daily requirements of vitamins important at different stages and life situations, according to the same recommendations. In those cases where the input can be critical, we must ensure that our diet includes them to avoid deficiencies.

Multivitamin Supplements

Multivitamin supplements are a number of substances the body uses in small proportions, but play important roles in cell metabolism. Some studies have found that can reduce the risk of diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, tumors, cataracts and nervous system disorders, among others. Now keep in mind that some supplements provide minerals, vitamins and amino acids.

While a balanced diet gives the body all the vitamins, over a process like dieting during pregnancy or at some stage of growth, the agency will need these supplements.

For example in winter common vitamin C to keep active the immune system before colds and flues. This vitamin is water soluble, if consumed in excess, is excreted in the urine.