vitamins that heal (elaine)

Vitamins that HealVitamins that HealNatural Immunity for Better Health

August 31, 2008

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives• (Re)Discover vitamins, minerals and amino

acids & their functions in the body

• Natural sources of VMAA

• Pathways of absorption, storage & excretion

• Therapeutic and healing properties of VMAA

• Caveats

VITAMINS FOR VITAMINS FOR HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY LIVING

vita (life) + aminevita (life) + amine• Organic food substances found only in living things

(plants & animals)• Essential to the normal functioning of our bodies• Indispensible for the health and growth of body

cells and protection against infective and degenerative diseases

• Regulate metabolism, help convert fat and carbohydrates into energy and assist in forming bone and tissue

Water-Soluble VitaminsWater-Soluble Vitamins• Easily absorbed by the body

• Dissolve easy in cooking water and may be destroyed by heating.

• Can’t be stored in the body, and hence, have to be taken daily in foods

Examples: Vit B complex, Vit C

Fat-Soluble VitaminsFat-Soluble Vitamins• Absorbed into the body with the use of bile

acids which are fluids used to absorb fat.

• The body stores these for use as needed, mostly in the liver.

• Not easily lost by ordinary cooking method

Examples: Vitamin A, D, E & K

Vitamins for healthy livingVitamins for healthy living• Vit A: Retinol

• Vit B1: Thiamine

• Vit B2: Riboflavin

• Vit B5: Pantothenic Acid

• Vit B6: Pyridoxine

• For better eyesight

• For calm nerves

• The “Beauty” Vitamin

• The Anti-Stress Factor

• The “Versatile” Vit

Vitamins for healthy livingVitamins for healthy living• Vit B8: Biotin

• Vit B9: Folic Acid

• Vit B12: Cyanocobalamin

• Choline

• Inositol

• Strengthens Immunity

• Prevents Anemia

• Stimulates growth of Red Blood Cells

• Healthy Liver

• Prevents Hair Loss

Vitamins for healthy livingVitamins for healthy living• Vit C: Ascorbic Acid

• Vit D

• Vit E: Tocopherol

• Vit K

• Antibiotic Vitamin

• Sunshine Vitamin

• Anti-aging Factor

• Prevents Hemorrhages

MINERALS OUR MINERALS OUR BODY NEEDSBODY NEEDS

MineralsMinerals• Elements that originate in the earth and

cannot be made by living organisms.

• Help maintains volume of water necessary for life processes in the body

• Major minerals vs Minor minerals

MineralsMinerals• Help draw chemical substances into and out

of the cells and keep blood and tissue fluids from becoming too acidic or alkaline

• Act as catalysts for many biological reactions within the body including muscle response, utilization of nutrients in food, transmission of messages through the nervous system

Minerals our body needs• Boron: prevents tumors and cysts

• Calcium: strong bones

• Chromium: promotes glucose tolerance

• Copper: converts Iron into hemoglobin

• Fluorine: for healthy teeth

• Iodine: prevents goiter

Minerals our body needs• Iron: purifies the blood

• Magnesium: The Alcoholic’s Balm

• Manganese: For the growing years

• Molybdenum: general well being

• Phosphorus: the body energizer

• Potassium: prevents acidosis

Minerals our body needs• Selenium: Special friend to women

• Silicon: Beauty Mineral

• Sodium: Indispensible for life

• Sulfur: glowing hair and skin

• Vanadium: good for the heart

• Zinc: hastens healing

AMAZING POWER OF AMAZING POWER OF AMINO ACIDSAMINO ACIDS

Amino AcidsAmino Acids• Chemical units or “building blocks” of the body

that make up protein. All protein taken in the body must first be broken down to amino acids before it can be absorbed.

• Plants synthesizes amino acids but animals cannot. Thus the primary source of all protein, including meat and fish, is the vegetable kingdom.

Amino AcidsAmino Acids

• Protein substances make up the muscles, tendons, organs, glands, nails and hair.

• Growth, repair and maintenance of all cells are dependent upon them.

Essential Amino AcidsEssential Amino Acids• Are indispensable. They cannot be synthesized

in the body in the adequate amounts to meet the requirements for protein synthesis even when the total dietary intake of protein is adequate.

• Inadequate amount leads to negative nitrogen balance in the body

Non Essential Amino AcidsNon Essential Amino Acids

• Are dispensable. They can be omitted from the diet so long as it contains adequate amounts of total protein. The body can manufacture them in adequate amounts to meet the needs for protein synthesis.

Amazing Powers of Amino AcidsAmazing Powers of Amino Acids

• Arginine: increases male sexual vitality

• Histidine: for tissue growth and repair

• Isoleucine: stimulates essential hormones

• Leucine: boosts energy levels

• Lysine: anti-virus factor

Amazing Powers of Amino AcidsAmazing Powers of Amino Acids

• Methionine: protects the liver

• Phenylalanine: therapy for mental illness

• Tryptophan: sleep inducing

• Valine: prevents nervous disorders

Sources of Vitamins, Minerals & Sources of Vitamins, Minerals & Amino AcidsAmino Acids

Sources of Vitamins, Minerals & Amino Acids

Pathways of Absorption, Storage & Excretion

Therapeutic & healing propertiesTherapeutic & healing propertiesExample: Vitamin C

RDA: Men / Women / Children 40 mg

Infants 25 mg Lactating women 80 mg

High dosage: 100 – 10,000 mg / day for acute poisoning and infection

4,000 – 6,000 mg / day for inhibits cancer growth

Therapeutic & healing propertiesTherapeutic & healing properties Vitamin C for:

Premature aging, anemia, anorexia, high blood

pressure, common cold, infections, kidney

disorders, nose bleeding, rickets, scurvy &

STRESS

Caveats!Caveats!• Deficiency – causes conditions & illnesses

• Toxicity – occurs through excessive intake

• Destruction / problems with absorption

• Contra-indication between nutrients & food

• Inter-relationship between the nutrients