Vitamin Supplements

Before you decide that you need to take vitamin supplements or change the way you eat, you should know where you stand and how much improvement you really need. To help you analyze your current diet, we’ve developed a system you can use to calculate your approximate vitamin D intake. Following is a list of vitamin D food sources, arranged according to the percentage of our Optimal Daily Allowance of vitamin D contained in them. Since 3 ounces of tuna canned in oil contain 197.2 IU of vitamin D and the ODA for vitamin D is 400 IUD, we’ve listed tuna in the 50 Percent category. Read the rest of this entry »

Vitamin E Health Merits

Keeping up with all of the recent research into the potential health benefits of vitamin E is difficult. The impressive findings of the best of this research, however, are impossible to ignore.

Vitamin E against Cancer

A growing body of research indicates that vitamin E can provide protection against a variety of cancers, including oral, lung, cervical, and breast cancers. For example, an eight-year Finnish study of 36,265 adults concluded that individuals with low blood levels of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) were 1.5 times more likely to develop cancer than people with higher amounts. Read the rest of this entry »

Vitamin A

FACTS:

Vitamin A is fat soluble. It requires fats as well as minerals to be properly absorbed by your digestive tract.

It can be stored in your body and need not be replenished every day.

It occurs in two forms — preformed vitamin A, called retinol [found only in foods of animal origin], and provitamin A, known as carotene [provided by foods of both plant and animal origin].

Vitamin A is measured in USP Units [United States Pharmacopoeia], IU [International Units], and RE [Retinol Equivalents].

10,000 IU daily is the average adult dosage, though the need increases with greater body weight. Read the rest of this entry »

Vitamin D [Calciferol, Viosterol, Ergosterol, "Sunshine Vitamin"]

FACTS:

Fat soluble. Acquired through sunlight or diet. [Ultraviolet sunrays act on the oils of the skin to produce the vitamin, which is then absorbed into the body.]

When taken orally, vitamin D is absorbed with fats through the intestinal walls.

Measured in International Units [IU]. Read the rest of this entry »

Vitamin E [Tocopherol]

FACTS:

Fat soluble and stored in the liver, fatty tissues, heart, muscles, testes, uterus, blood, adrenal and pituitary glands.

Formerly measured by weight, but now generally designated according to its biological activity in International Units [IU]. With this vitamin 1 IU is the same as 1 mg.

Composed of compounds called tocopherols. One of the eight tocopherols — alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta, eta, and theta — alphatocopherol is the most effective.

An active antioxidant, prevents oxidation of fat compounds as well as that of vitamin A, selenium, two sulphur amino acids, and some vitamin C. Read the rest of this entry »

The Importance of Understanding What’s on Labels

All too often people buy supplements and never even look at the labels. They ask a clerk for a multivitamin and take what they are given, not realising that they might be getting short-changed on the vitamin content. All multivitamins differ in amounts included, and the most expensive tablet is not necessarily the best. The only way to be sure you’re getting the B6, folacin, or C that you need is to read the small print on the label. Also, if you have any allergies, it’s wise to check what else you’re getting with your supplement. Read the rest of this entry »

Polyps

These small annoying growths should definitely be seen by a doctor, and in most instances surgical removal is necessary. Butas far as supplements go, Dr. Jerome J. DeCosse, professor chairman of surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsi olyp s,n, used 3,000 mg. vitamin C [time release] daily on patients with p and had noteworthy success with the treatment.

Postoperative Healing

After surgery, your body needs all the nutritional support it can get.

Vitamin E, 400 IU [dry form] 3 times daily

2 vitamin C complex, 1,000 mg. with bioflavonoids, hesperidin,and rutin A.M. and P.M. Read the rest of this entry »

Constipation

Everyone is bothered by constipation at some time or other. Usually this is due to a lack of bulk in the diet or because of certain medications, such as codeine. Harsh laxatives can rob the body of nutrients, as well as cause rebound constipation and laxative dependency, so natural remedies should be your first choice.

2 tbsp, unprocessed bran flakes daily 3-9 bran tablets daily

1 tbsp, acidophilus liquid 3 times daily

A vegetable laxative and stool softener for a short time if necessary Read the rest of this entry »

Golfers

As much as you enjoy it, golfing takes a lot out of you. The stress and tension of the game can use up B vitamins at a rapid clip. The right supplements might not get you down into the seventies, but they can help you stay energetic throughout the game.

nsp

Stress B complex A.M. and P.M

Tennis Players

Ifyou play tennis often, you might look good on the outside, but be a nutritional mess inside. I’ve found that far too many tennis buffs skip meals, or eat only protein — both bad habits. A demanding game like tennis requires that you serve yourself all the vitamins you need. Read the rest of this entry »

Night Workers

The Centre for Research on Stress and Health at the Stanford Research Institute has found that “the rotating shift exacts aheavy physical and emotional toll from workers.” When eating _and sleeping patterns are disrupted, so are the body’s biological rhythms, and it takes “three to four weeks for the circadian rhythms to become synchronised.” If you change from day to night shifts often, your body is under much stress, your chances of illness are greater, and your risk of ulcers is high. I feel that supplements are essential:

nsp

1 vitamin D, 400 IU with largest meal

3 tryptophan tablets half hour before bedtime [whenever that happens to be] Read the rest of this entry »