Health and Fitness Hints

Several vitamin-like compounds are necessary for the normal metabolism of the body and they can all be synthesized by the body. However, this is only possible at the expense of other nutrients such as essential amino acids. While there is no concern that deficiencies of these compounds exist in the average healthy adult, more research is needed to clarify if there is such a possibility in case of certain diseases. These vitamin-like compounds are:

Inositol: myo-inositol is the bio-active form of inositol. It plays an important role in the structure of eukaryotic cells. It is classified as vitamin B-complex member though it is not as it is synthesized by the human body from glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P). It is found in many foods such as cereals nuts, beans, cantaloupe melons and oranges. Inositol is vital for many biological processes of the body and participates in a diverse range of activities. Metabolism of inositol is altered by many medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, certain cancers and kidney failure. Hyperglycemia associated with diabetes inhibits inositol transport.

Carnitine: This is a simple compound synthesized from the amino acids methionine and lysine in the liver. An inadequate supply of protein (lack of methionine and lysine) can lead to abnormal metabolism of fatty acids. It is believed that people suffering cirrhosis may need extra dietary Carnitine. Human needs for Carnitine are met from both biosynthesis and the intake of meat and dairy products. In time of recovery of disease such as kidney dialysis and serious trauma it may be consider Carnitine essential nutrient. This nutrient has also display important role in the removal of toxic compounds in people with inborn metabolic errors. Approximately ten times the normal daily intake has shown to have a positive effect with progressive muscle disease and heart muscle deterioration.

Taurine: This compound is found in abundance in muscle and nerve tissue and it is involved in many vital functions. It is synthesized in the body by the amino acids cysteine and methionine. It is associated with the photoreceptor activity of the eye, white blood antioxidant activity, insulin action, cardiac contraction, growth and cell differentiation. Taurine is found only in animal foods. Supplementation of Taurine may be beneficial to children with cystic fibrosis. Preterm infants exhibit improved absorption of fat when supplemented with Taurine.

Lipoic acid: lipoic acid is a redox agent; it quenches singlet oxygen by donation of an electron especially when in its reduced form. It serves beneficial functions in the body working together with several other antioxidants. Lipoic acid can recycle vitamin C and glutathione two other antioxidants and assist vitamin E to maintain its reduced form. Best dietary sources are meats and liver. For more information on vitamin and mineral nutrients….

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Health food enthusiasts promote a variety of naturally occurring compounds that may or may not have vital biological activity in humans as vitamins. The following are some of those compounds. Some can be synthesized by our bodies others are part of existing vitamins while others have no known value based on any scientific evidence.

Laetrile or B17: An amygdalin, a simple chemical compound consisting of two molecules of sugar, one molecule of benzaldehyde and one molecule of cyanide. It has been promoted as a cure for cancer but it is not recognized as a legitimate cancer therapy by the FDA. Chronic cyanide intoxication from laetrile in the diet has produced cases of slow progression of nerve damage that leads to muscle weakness and deafness. However, a lot could be said also about the toxic effects for all chemotherapeutic agents used today.

Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA): This compound is part of the vitamin folate, it is a non-protein amino acid, and humans cannot use it to make folate. If taken along with sulfa antibiotics can defeat the effect of the antibiotic. It may have anti-fibrosis activity.

Pangamic acid, Vitamin B15: Pangamic Acid has been used as an antioxidant, for anti-aging, as an anti-cancer agent and to reduce cholesterol. However, no study reported any beneficial effect. Its distribution is illegal in USA.

Orotic acid, Vitamin B13: It is a non-essential substance as it is manufactured in the body by intestinal flora. In its purified or synthesized form, orotic acid is listed as toxic. It is marketed as calcium orotate when combined with elemental calcium, increases calcium absorption and helps prevent osteoporosis. Orotic acid helps with the production of genetic material. It has been used in conditions such as multiple sclerosis and chronic hepatitis. It is also used in cosmetics in moisturizing and anti-aging skin creams. However, some cancer research consider orotic acid to be a powerful tumor promoter.

These substances may be essential to some animals and lower organisms for growth but there is no evidence they do so for humans. They may include it in multi vitamins or as part of the B-complex group preparations.

However, several other vitamin-like compounds display important roles and are necessary for the normal metabolism of the body. While these compounds can be synthesized by the body, it is at the expense of other nutrients such as essential amino acids….

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Although a daily multivitamin pill cannot substitute nutrients available in a balanced diet, does it give you partial protection when you drift from that “perfect” diet? In a perfect world you should get all the vitamins and minerals you need from your food, but for the great majority of us this is not exactly the case. According to JAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association, research workers have been reporting as far back as in 2000 and advocate multivitamins as an affordable insurance against suboptimal nutrient ingestion.

Multivitamins could have short and long term benefits. In the short term you might anticipate to have enhanced levels of energy, better immunity to infection and coping better with stress. On the long term basis, benefits include better cardiovascular, bone, optic and immune health. Since we all live in the frantic 21st century there are a lot of reasons for potentially needing multivitamins.

Outcomes of a study by the Lewin group in 2003, US documented that daily use of multivitamins by older adults could result to more than $1.5 billion savings in Medicare across five years. The potential five year savings represented in part savings from reduced risk of hardening of the arteries, improved resistance to infection and less hospital stays. The study found that daily use of multivitamins was a potentially effective way to improve older adults health especially heart and immune health.

A list of GOOD reasons why you may need multivitamin Supplements.

Poor Digestion: A compromised digestive system could limit the body’s uptake of vitamins from food.

Excess Alcohol Intake: Regular and heavy use of alcohol step-ups the need of B-group vitamins.

Smoking: Tobacco smoking increases the demand for vitamin C by 30% than that of a non-smoker.

Use of Laxatives: Use of laxatives speeds intestinal transit time leading in poor assimilation of vitamins and minerals.

Use of Antibiotics: while useful in fighting infections they as well kill friendly bacterial in the gut that makes some of the B Vitamins.

Fad Diets: Even the low-fat diets, if aimed to extremes could be low in vitamins A, D and E. Vegetarians unless they design skillfully their diet could become vitamin B12 deficient which leads to anemia.

Cooking: Cooking especially overcooking and reheating food can destroy heat-susceptible vitamins such as the B-group, vitamin E and vitamin C. Boiling vegetables strips the water soluble vitamins such as B-group and vitamin C. Vitamin B6 could be damaged by irradiation from use of microwaves.

Food Storage: Most common sources of vitamin E such as cereals and oils are present days highly refined to increase storage life but this call for the removal of vitamin E. Also freezing food containing vitamin E could significantly reduce levels once the food gets defrosted.

Daily Stress: All three physical, emotional and chemical stressors could increase the demand for vitamins B2, B5, B6, C, and E

Teenager Years: fast growth especially among girls puts high demands on vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron.

Pregnancy: It creates greater than average demands for nutrients such as B-group vitamins, especially folic acid, vitamins A, D, E and minerals calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc.

Use of Oral Contraceptives: They could step-down the assimilation of folic acid and increase the demand for vitamin B complex especially B6, vitamin C and zinc.

Lack of Sunlight: Shift workers, disable individuals, the aged and those whose exposure to sunshine is lowest could suffer from inadequate amounts of vitamin D.

Athletes: Professional athletes go through substantial stress. The demand, in particular for B-group vitamins, vitamin C and iron, increases substantially.

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