Showing posts with label Vitamins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vitamins. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is probably best known as an antioxidant. Antioxidants are forms of molecules that help keep chemical reactions in our body in check. Damage to the lens of the eye, damage to molecules circulating around in our bloodstream, and damage to genetic material (DNA) in our cells are all examples of damage that have been shown to be prevented under certain circumstances by vitamin C. One interesting application of vitamin C as an antioxidant is its ability to transform iron into a state that is better absorbed in the intestine.

Vitamin C is required to produce collagen, a protein that plays a critical role in the structure of our bodies. Collagen is the framework for our skin and our bones, and without it, we would quite literally fall apart. People who have this condition lose teeth, bleed easily, and lose the strength of their bones. Luckily, it doesn't take much vitamin C to prevent this problem. A single lime per day would usually be enough.

Vitamin C is necessary to make certain neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are the signals that carry thoughts, feelings, and commands around our brains and throughout our nervous system.













Monday, November 9, 2015

Calcium & Bones

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body, one that plays many vital roles. Our body uses it to build healthy bones and teeth. Keep them strong as we age, help our blood clot, our muscles contract, and regulate the heart’s rhythm. If we are not getting enough calcium in our diet, our body will take calcium from our bones, which can lead to weakened bones. Calcium deficiency can also lead to mood problems such as irritability, anxiety, depression, and difficulty in sleeping.

Approximately one in two women and about one in four men over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis (weakened bones). But osteoporosis is not an inevitable part of getting older.
Your body gets the calcium it needs in one of two ways. The first and best way is through the foods you eat or the supplements you take. However, if you’re not consuming enough calcium, your body will get it by pulling it from your bones where it’s stored. That’s why proper diet is very important.











Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Diet for Healthy Eyes


Believe it or not protecting your eyes starts with the food you eat. Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E might help ward off age-related vision problems such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Regularly eating following foods can help lead to good eye health:
  • Green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and collards.
  • Salmon, tuna, and other oily fish
  • Eggs, nuts, beans, and other non-meat protein sources
  • Oranges and other citrus fruits or juices