Vitamins For Your Kidney

August 5th, 2010
MC Raflesia asked:




Vitamins are so significant to the whole metabolic functions of the body. Vitamins participate in controlling the body’s aptitude to burn fat and sugar for energy, and form proteins for growth. If vitamins are inadequate, these reactions are not appropriately harmonized, along with can lead to skin lesions, muscle weakness, fatigue and nerve pain. These can be indications that vitamin supplementation may be needed.

Practically all vitamins and minerals originate from the foods you eat. Your body does not make these substances. Healthy individuals who can eat foods from all the food groups eat diverse meats, grains, fruits, vegetables and dairy products. Your kidney diet restricts a number of food groups. Thus, you may not be finding all the vitamins and minerals you necessitate every day. It might be essential for you to get particular sums of several vitamins and minerals in the kind of supplements.

The human body, In accordance with the Institute of Medicine, requires minimally 13 vitamins to run well. Pursuing a balanced diet is the favored way to obtain the suggested sum of these vitamins. Sufficient of some vitamins frequently cannot be acquired by individuals with kidney disease.

A number of vitamins should be restricted or even evaded since levels build up in the body as the kidneys break down. Some kidney patients require supplementation of some vitamins, but not others. Actually, supplementation with some vitamins might give damaging effects.

Vitamins fall into two groups, i.e fat soluble and water soluble. Water soluble vitamins do not upsurge in the body and should be substituted every day from the diet. Chronic Kidney Disease patients have greater requirements for some water soluble vitamins. Exceptional renal vitamins are typically laid down to kidney patients to give the extra water soluble vitamins required. Renal vitamins include vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin and a small dose of vitamin C.

Early flourishing management of infectious disease really lessens the possibility of renal failure. Saturation with vitamin C is so valuable, broad-spectrum management for infectious diseases. Vitamin C does not lead to kidney problems but precludes them. For instance, vitamin C discontinues the creation or oxalate stones, and really dissolves phosphate and struvite kidney stones. If kidney failure is supposed, visit your doctor early on and maintain that vitamin C therapy is working.

If you have more inquiries, be sure to talk to your kidney doctor or dietitian. They can aid you find out regarding your vitamins and mineral supplements. Your social worker might be able to reply inquiries in relation to how to pay for your supplements.

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Vitamin A and Vitamin B2 For Acne, and the Baboon Experiment

July 26th, 2010
Dani B Choi asked:




Just how important are Vitamins A and B for the prevention and treatment of acne? If we take cue from the baboons, you’ve got to have both.

While scientists have proven a long time ago that Vitamin A is very important for having clear and healthy skin, it’s only fairly recently that scientists have come to understand the role that Vitamin B plays in the prevention of acne.

In his book “Acne – How To Prevent And Overcome Acne Forever”, Dr. Robert Preston cited an experiment done on a group of baboons. In the experiment, the baboons were placed on a diet that was nutritionally complete in all respects except for Vitamin B2. Within the short span of six months, the baboons had skin eruptions all over their faces. What’ more, these lesions were very similar to acne breakouts found in teenagers!

The skin problems erupted in spite of the fact that the baboons had plenty of Vitamin A in their diets. Thankfully, their skin lesions subsequently disappeared after being treated with B-2 to make up for the deficiency. So if you’re seeing acne breakouts on your face, the first thing you need to do is to take stock of what you’ve been eating. Do you have enough Vitamin A and Vitamin B in your diet?

If not, it pays to supplement your diet. If you don’t know which vitamins are necessary to having clear and healthy skin, check out this complete list of vitamins for acne.

So, how much vitamin B-2 should you take with your Vitamin A?

Dr. Robert Preston recommends a 100 to 1 proportion of Vitamin A to Vitamin B. So if you have an average case of acne, you would need to take 50,000 IU of Vitamin A and 500 mg everyday of Vitamin B2, which is also known as Riboflavin. People with extreme cases of acne can take double the dose. Keep in mind, however, not all vitamin supplements are created alike, and vitamin supplements differ in terms of they are readily absorbed by the bodyThe best vitamin supplements are the ones that are made from plant sources.

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ADD Vitamins

July 24th, 2010
Michelle Weller asked:




ADD vitamins are nutrients that individuals whom suffer from ADD consume in order to treat their symptoms, or even take in combination with their medication. ADD vitamins are used interchangeably with terms such as ADD minerals, amino acids, and even herbs. In this article, I will describe why these have become very popular over the last several years, and I will outline which ingredients have created the most buzz.

ADD medication can be categorized into two simple distinct categories: Stimulants and non stimulants. The former include brand names such as Adderall, Ritalin, & Focalin. Results of course vary from person to person, and popular discourse suggests that individuals are now combining these medications with vitamins and amino acids for even greater effects. Additionally, non-stimulant medications such as Provigil, Strattera, and Wellbutrin are also being combined with these herbal alternatives. So why are people combining ADD vitamins with their medication? The simple explanation is that these nutrients improve the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. These various neurotransmitters are significant because they improve cognition, memory, and mood. The following list below are the most popular ingredients that you should look for.

Panax Ginseng – This plant contains the active compound, ginsenosides, which have been studied by researchers throughout the world. Acting as an adaptogen (resisting stress), this plant is known to have anti-inflammatory effects and it also acts as an antioxidant. Results of clinical research studies demonstrate that Panax ginseng may improve psychological function, immune function, and conditions associated with diabetes.

Pyroglutamic Acid – This nutrient releases the memory chemical acetylcholine in the brain. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that regulates communication between brain cells, which impact memory and cognition.

Huperzia Serrata – The active component, huperzine A, is a potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Acetylocholinesterase is an enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. As mentioned above, acetylcholine is important for proper cognition.

Soy Lecithin – The active compound, phosphatidylcholine, acts as a precursor to acetylcholine. As you know now, this is significant especially for individuals that have ADD.

L-Tyrosine – This amino acid is converted into l-dopa. In the body, l-dopa is converted to dopamine, another neurotransmitter that is essential for the proper functioning of the central nervous system (CNS). A reduction in its concentration within the brain is associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Mucuna Pruriens – This herb contains the amino acid l-dopa, which is one chemical step away from converting into the neurotransmitter, dopamine, within the body. As discussed, dopamine is imperative for proper CNS function and mental alertness.

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Anti-Aging Therapies – Vitamin K Benefits For Anti-Aging

July 22nd, 2010
RA Butters asked:




Vitamin K’s benefits may not be widely-known, but it’s one of the most important anti-aging therapies.

Since it’s discovery in 1929, Vitamin K has been recognized as being crucial to the process of blood coagulation – in fact, the “k” stands for koagulation, the German form of the word coagulation. But recent research has shown that this often-forgotten vitamin may be a vital tool in the prevention and treatment of a host of age-related disorders.

Research Reveals That Vitamin K Plays Many Roles in Maintaining Health

One of the most important discoveries about vitamin K is that it regulates the production and flow of calcium. This ability makes it a key player in the prevention and treatment of many of the most common and debilitating age-related diseases.

Vitamin K and Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disease that occurs when calcium is leached from the bones. Recent studies have shown that people who had the highest vitamin K levels had a significantly lower risk of osteoporosis and related problems such as hip fracture.

Vitamin K and Arteriosclerosis: Arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is a progressive disease caused by arterial calcification, which happens when calcium leaks into the arteries. This process is closely linked to heart damage and disease. Animal studies done in Japan showed that the introduction of additional Vitamin K effectively reduced arterial calcification, and it reduced related heart damage as well.

Vitamin K and High Blood Pressure/Stroke: Excess calcium has been identified as a major causative source of high blood pressure and resulting strokes. By regulating the amount and distribution of calcium in the body, ample amounts of Vitamin K could potentially act as both a preventative and a healer.


Vitamin K and Diabetes: Japanese studies have demonstrated that animals with a measurable vitamin K deficiency had pancreatic problems that caused the release of too much insulin into the blood – a scenario similar to that of diabetes in humans. Ongoing studies are investigating the possibility that vitamin K could be used to in the treatment of diabetes.

Vitamin K and Alzheimer’s Disease: Research has indicated that there is a correlation between vitamin K deficiency and the presence of a specific genetic variant associated with Alzheimer’s. It has been suggested that without sufficient vitamin K to regulate the creation and flow of calcium throughout the system, arterial damage may lead to problems with brain function.

Who Needs Supplemental Vitamin K?

The body can actually manufacture vitamin K, but because we generally synthesize only a third of the amount that we need, it’s important to eat foods that contain it (leafy green vegetables and liver) to avoid deficiency.

The recommended daily requirement for adults is around 100 mg, an amount that should easily be met via a reasonable healthy diet. However, there are some circumstances in which additional vitamin K could be needed. Liver and gall bladder disease are known to deplete vitamin K, as are diseases of the intestinal tract. Some medicines, including long-term antibiotics and cholesterol lowering drugs can also cause deficiency.

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Vitamin B1 Information

July 16th, 2010
John Gibb asked:




Vitamin B1 also known as Thiamine, maintains energy levels and supports brain function, as well as aids in digestion. The vitamin is also necessary for the metabolism of sugar and starches to provide energy. B1 also helps to maintain a healthy nervous system.

B1 can be found in such foods as wheat germ, sunflower seeds, nuts, oranges, beans, peas and raisins. The vitamin is also found in asparagus, cauliflower, potatoes, milk, whole wheat bread, oatmeal, and brown rice. As you can see, it can be found in the diet, so why would you need supplementation?

Supplementation is necessary in the cases of those who may have a deficiency. Deficiencies can be caused by alcohol consumption (this is true of all B-vitamins). Signs of deficiencies are decreased appetite, vision disturbances, unsteadiness, confusion, memory loss, fatigue, and tachycardia. Another reason for supplementation is because of the major decline in nutrients in foods over the least few decades.

Vitamin B1 Information

Vitamin B1 Thiamine

Vitamin B1 – thiamine is needed by the body to aid in the processing of carbohydrates, fat, and protein. The vitamin is also required by each and every cell of the body for creating the body’s fuel. This is why the vitamin is good for ones energy levels. B1 also helps with the growth and toning of muscle. The vitamin B1 is also beneficial for the nervous system by helping it function properly.

Vitamin B1 Information – Deficiency symptoms:

Getting too little of the vitamin b1 thiamine can lead to loss of appetite, insomnia, weight-loss, gastrointestinal problems, major fatigue, irritability, constipation, edema, enlarged liver, forgetfulness, numbness of the hands and feet, tingling sensations, poor coordination, weak, sore and heavy muscles, and major weight loss.

The people most likely to suffer thiamine deficiency include those individuals who are anemic or diabetic and those who take excessive amounts of alcohol or a large quantity of birth control pills.

Vitamin B1 Information

Vitamin B1 Thiamine Side Effects

Excess in-take of vitamin B1 thiamine has not been known to cause levels of toxicity in the body.
There are some known side-effects of taking Vitamin B1. They include itching, sweating, a warm feeling, nausea, and weakness. These symptoms may go away over time. You should contact your physician if you experience shortness of breath, tightness of throat, or any other non-typical occurrences.

Some precautions should be observed. You should tell the doctor of any and all medications you are taking, in particular, muscle relaxants you maybe taking to prepare for surgery. If an overdose is suspected, go to the emergency room immediately, or call poison control immediately, and follow all of the directions exactly.

Some Vitamin B1 Precautions

The vitamin Thiamine (B1) is excreted through urine, but large doses can lead to excretion through the skin. This can result in a change of odor on your body.

Further Vitamin B1 information: vitamin b1 calls on other vitamins of the B family to do its job properly. Because of this, when supplementing with the vitamin thiamine, it is best in our opinion, that you take a comprehensive formula that contains the B-complex (other important B vitamins within the product).

After extensive research and no major side effects being found, there is still the chance that Vitamin B1 thiamine may interact with other medications you may be taking.
The best advice you can get is – while taking prescription medication of any kind, always be sure to consult a physician or related qualified doctor before adding supplements to your daily nutritional regime.

As always – Pregnant and nursing women are advised to speak with their doctor before beginning supplementation of any kind, whether that be for nutritional purposes or certain health benefits etc.

Our tips On Selecting a Vitamin B1 Thiamine Supplement

1. Nutritional supplements in the U.S. and UK are largely unregulated, and both private and government parties have showed that consumers only have a 1 in 5 chance of purchasing a supplement that actually contains the amount of ingredients stated on the product label.
Because of this, only buy nutritional supplements from pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities, which comply with the most exacting processing regulations.

If you do the latter, you can be sure you will be obtaining the amount of vitamin B1 you paid for, and one that is not contaminated with harmful toxins that will impair your health over time.

2. Try and purchase a Vitamin B1 supplement that contains other B vitamins as well as they work synergistically together giving you the best possible health benefits. You will find many multi vitamins that are cheap from chain super stores. These kinds of vitamins are a complete waste of time, and most, if not all of the nutrients will simply be expelled from your body. In fact, many of these types of vitamins can end up putting more strain on your internal functions.

Remember, once you find a quality company for natural health products, you can use them over and over again on your path for new improved health.

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What Each Vitamin Does For Your Health

June 16th, 2010
Terry Tiessen asked:




“Insufficient vitamin intake is apparently a cause of chronic disease”

- Dr. Robert Fletcher and Dr.Kathleen Fairfield-

The names get tossed around, vitamin C , vitamin A, vitamin E but what exactly does each of these do for you? What exactly are the benefits we can expect from taking a high quality vitamin?

In the June 19, 2002 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) , two reports were published by Dr. Robert Fletcher and Dr. Kathleen Fairfield, a landmark review of 38 years of Harvard research. One of the conclusions was that the current North American diet is inadequate for optimal health. It is at best able to prevent vitamin deficiencies such as scurvy or pallegra, but not to live at our full potential health or peak performance.

The authors examined several nutrients in this study including Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, K, folic acid and several of the caratenoids (including alpha- and beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, lycopene and lutein).

Notably some of there conclusions were:
Low levels of folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 are associated with increased risk of heart disease
Inadequate folic acid status increases the risk of some cancers. Vitamin E and lycopene appear to decrease the risk of prostrate cancer. Vitamin D when combined with calcium is associated with a decreased risk of osteoporosis and fracture. Inadequate vitamin B12 is associated with anaemia and neurological disorders. Low levels of caratenoids appear to increase the risk of prostrate, breast, and lung cancer. Inadequate vitamin C is associated with increased risk of cancer. Low levels of vitamin A are associated with vision disorders and impaired immune function.

So along with JAMA’s public declaration that supplementation is important for your health, scientific evidence is supporting the need for higher levels of many vitamins and minerals for optimal health. So, have you taken your Vitamins today?

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Is Vitamin D Required For Healthy Aging?

May 19th, 2010
Helen Wenley asked:




Vitamin D is under the microscope and a huge amount of information is emerging. Most of you would know that we get this hormone (it’s not really a vitamin) by the sun’s interaction on our skin and from some foods.

The trick is to get the balance between getting too much sunlight (and risking skin damage and skin cancer) and getting enough sunlight for adequate Vitamin D production.

Last year my friend’s 17 year old was very sick with an immune disease, and it was discovered that she was deficient in Vitamin D. She lost a lot of time from school as she recovered. Many young people today do not spend enough time outdoors to get adequate sunshine because they are indoors using computers and watching TV. They are at risk of becoming deficient in Vitamin D.

What does Vitamin D3 do?

• Helps to maintain strong, healthy bones. When our bodies are tall and straight we look younger than when we are hunched over. A study reported in the Annuls of Internal Medicine in their August, 2008 issue showed that those women who had the lowest levels of vitamin D had the highest risk of hip fractures. Nearly 40,000 women were followed and the vitamin D status was measured by looking at their 25-hydroxy vitamin D level. They were divided into four groups depending on their vitamin D level. Those women who had the lowest vitamin D levels had the highest incidence of hip fractures.

• Supports efficient calcium absorption
• Necessary for normal bone mineralization
• Important for the maintenance of muscle strength
• Supports robust and healthy immune function (e.g. flu prevention)
• Supports a healthy heart. A study reported at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Conference in Orlando (March 2010) reported a strong association between reduced vitamin D levels and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Brent Muhlstein, MD and his colleagues followed over 27,000 subjects for a little over one year. Those with very low vitamin D levels were 45% more likely to develop heart disease, twice as likely to develop heart failure, 78% more likely to experience a stroke, and 77% more likely to die than those with normal levels.

It is wise to get your levels of Vitamin D tested. Vitamin D deficiency has become a serious nutritional problem throughout the world. In fact, the more we are learning about the health benefits of vitamin D it is becoming apparent that we need to get our vitamin D levels above 60 ng/ml, rather than above the 30 ng/ml most researchers are using as normal.

If required, I do recommend that Vitamin D3 is a part of an overall nutritional supplement program that includes a broad-spectrum multivitamin, multi-mineral, omega-3 and calcium/magnesium.

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Skin Conditions and Vitamin D

May 11th, 2010
Jean Helmet asked:




It was believed that an inefficient immune system may lead to several skin diseases such as eczema. When the immune system is not functioning well, it affects the production of cathelicidin, an essential peptide which is one of the components that forms the protective membrane of the skin against bacterial infections. When there is a decrease in cathelicidin, microbes proliferate in the skin and any break on the skin offers an opportunity for microbes to penetrate and cause infection.

However, a study was conducted about oral Vitamin D being a good supplement to resolve this lack of protection in the skin. It is believed that vitamin D works effectively on the immune system enhancing and making the body not only the skin, resistant to infections caused by common bacteria.

The researchers studied a number of patients with skin problems. The subjects have several skin diseases like atopic dermatitis in different degrees and other chronic skin problems in children and adults. Redness, severe itching and scaling are the common characteristics observed. With this, over scratching and constant rubbing can cause wounds and breaks on the skin making it vulnerable to infections caused by staphylococcus aureus, herpes and others. The patients were given 400 IUs of vitamin D supplement Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) taken orally everyday for a duration of 21 days. The biopsies taken before and after when compared revealed healing after taking the supplement. With this result, it is believed that Vitamin D is effective to remedy the mentioned skin diseases. In fact, it was noted that cathelicidin level are slightly elevated after taking the supplement.

Even with the positive result, the researchers also indicated that the study was only done in small scale and that further analysis and more studies are needed to really prove the effectiveness of the Vitamin D supplement. What is more important is that in one way or another. Aside from the fact that vitamin D is also needed by the bones for calcium absorption, the study conducted by the select researches had proven the theory that Vitamin D can help you with some common skin problems and infections.

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Vitamin B2 – Its Importance And Ways To Obtain More

April 28th, 2010
Tim Gorman asked:




Vitamin B2 is one of the groups of vitamins that are known as the B vitamins and is also known as Riboflavin. It is very important in helping the body to use oxygen and also for making red blood cells. Vitamin B2 is also known to help the body use fats well, control the growth and the making of antibodies. Riboflavin is also necessary for many areas of the body to remain healthy. It is essential that there is enough of this vitamin in our bodies in order to keep the skin, nails and hair healthy and it is also thought to aid with the maintenance of good eyesight.

Riboflavin is found in many different foods. There are good amounts in dairy products, such as milk and cheese and it is also found in green leaf vegetables. One of the best sources of Vitamin B2 is in liver; this is very healthy meat that is sometimes overlooked in favor of more popular foods such as steak and chicken. Many nuts and beans are also good sources of Riboflavin and Soya in particular is very rich in B2. Riboflavin is sometimes added in a chemical alternative and is also used as a coloring for food as it has a yellow color.

If you do not have enough Vitamin B2 you can suffer from eye problems and problems of the lips, mouth and tongue. Other problems that are thought to be caused by a B2 deficiency are skin complaints, loss of hair, limited growth and poor intelligence. If you think that you are suffering from any of these then it might be worth asking your doctor if they think that you have enough of the vitamin in your diet.

There are thought to be low levels of this vitamin in most people’s diets, however there are plenty of good sources available. It is very often added to foods such as cereals and fruit drinks to enrich them. It is also used in many multivitamins. Naturally, if you have a good diet that contains most of the essential food group’s in the right proportions, then you should be getting enough Vitamin B2.

But if you are taking antibiotics or if you drink too much, then it is possible that you should take extra supplements, either by eating more of the foods that contain it or by taking additional minerals and supplements. As with all medical matters you should always consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet.

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Vitamin D for Immune Health

March 20th, 2010
John L. Phillip asked:




Evidence continues to mount validating the critical nature of Vitamin D to human health. Actually a form of hormone, Vitamin D exerts a powerful influence on virtually every cell in the body as it’s been shown to activate the immune systems ability to identity and thwart pathogens and rogue cancer cells.

Medical science has been aware of the health benefits of Vitamin D for decades, noting that certain cancers are much more prevalent in colder northern climates than in the sun-saturated southern geographic zones. Research published in the journal Nature Immunology provides the evidence and scientific evidence behind this miraculous pro-hormone.

Vitamin D Activates the Immune Response

Our body is very sensitive to Vitamin D circulating in the blood, with insufficient levels leading to poor immune system response and disease. Man has evolved with much higher blood levels of Vitamin D than many people experience today, due to regular sun exposure experienced by our ancestors. Our genetic code has incorporated this hormone and uses it to perform many cellular functions.

Scientists have discovered that Vitamin D activates white blood cell components of our innate immune system known as T-cells, which are responsible for tagging an intruder pathogen for destruction. This study is important because it demonstrates that this is only possible when there’s enough Vitamin D circulating in the blood. When the vitamin is deficient, there’s no detection and the pathogen or rogue cancer cell are permitted to flourish and multiply.

Vitamin D Trains the Immune System for Future Assaults

Under the guidance of Vitamin D, the T-cells are able to store information which helps our immune system recall prior invaders, and how to respond to them more quickly if a future attack should occur. Disease response memory is critical to providing natural defenses as we age, since the body can rapidly identify and conquer a host of pathogens as it continually adapts to its environment. Many researchers believe this is a key reason that man has been able to survive and evolve in a relatively hostile viral environment.

Vitamin D Critical to Cancer Prevention: Supplement

While Vitamin D is an important factor in the reduction of risk from diabetes and heart disease to stroke and dementia, it’s critical in the prevention and even treatment of many types of cancer. When sufficient blood levels of Vitamin D are present, the active receptors on each cell in the body are filled, providing a metabolic instruction manual for cellular replication.

As cancer is a disease initiated through genetic mutation, it’s important to effectively replicate DNA strands to future cellular generations. This occurs under the control of Vitamin D, and only when optimal amounts are present on the cellular receptors. Monitor blood levels of vitamin D through regular blood testing to ensure a level above 50 ng/ml.

The missing link to understanding many of the most devastating diseases which plague mankind is now within our grasp, as we better understand the role of Vitamin D in activating the scavenging power of our own immune system.

Researchers estimate that 80% of the US population is deficient in Vitamin D and requires some level of supplementation, yet most are unaware that they can dramatically lower their risk from developing a host of lethal conditions. Have your blood checked today and harness the power of your own immune system toward a healthy, disease free life.

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