.: Vitamin A – The Glow-in-the-dark Vitamin
Category:Home / Health / Nutrition
The ancient Egyptians had a cure for "night blindness". They fed the patient lots and lots of liver. Perhaps they thought they were appeasing the Gods of sight. In 1930, the first fat-soluble vitamin was discovered - vitamin A - which, it turns out, does indeed appease the Gods of sight.
Vitamin A is best known for improving eyesight, particularly at night, which is one of two reasons we call it the glow-in-the-dark vitamin. But the eyes are not the only part of your body grateful for your generous consumption of vitamin A.
Your skin also benefits. And your hair. And mucous membranes. And nails. In fact, almost any surface lining your body can find.
Your immune system benefits, too, giving you added resources to ward off infections. Bones and teeth are strengthened with proper amounts of vitamin A, and even the risk of some cancers can be reduced with vitamin A.
And there are more confirmed and suspected benefits.
The other reason we call Vitamin A the glow-in-the-dark vitamin is because it is best known as the bright orange color in so many foods we enjoy. Like pumpkins, pumpkin pie and my favorite: pumpkin cheesecake. And, of course, carrots, squash, peaches, apricots, cantaloupe, mangoes, sweet potatoes and the rest of the orange-spangled veggie gang.
But again, vitamin A is much more than meets the eye, because it is not actually vitamin A that turns the fruit and vegetables orange, but a precursor to vitamin A called beta carotene. Beta carotene does not become vitamin A until your body processes it.
And vitamin A is just as likely, if not more so, to come from protein sources such as most dairy products, egg yolks and some fish. And the queen of all vitamin A sources is liver, that ancient Egyptian God of sight. Calves liver. Chicken liver. Pork liver. Any liver you can sink your teeth into.
The vitamin A in protein sources is real vitamin A, no processing required.
Other great sources of vitamin A are dark green vegetables, such as Swiss chard, broccoli, spinach and beet greens.
As important as it is to glow with vitamin A, don't glow too brightly. An overdose can be harmful to bones and skin, causing weakness and brittleness, even leading to fatigue and vomiting.
It is advisable not to take a vitamin A supplement except under the supervision of a physician. In most cases, it is much better to take a liquid multivitamin such as Essential Nectar in recommended daily doses. There is very little chance of getting an overdose that way.
Also, increase your intake of beta carotene sources to avoid an overdose. Whereas your body absorbs all the vitamin A it takes in directly, it converts only the beta carotene it needs (talk about customization!).
So get glowing and get the vitamin A you need.
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
By: Hamoon Arbabi
Source: http://homebusiness.nexuswebs.net/multivitamin.htm
.: New Nutrition Articles
1). Herbal Remedies Can Really Work
Today many people are turning to alternative medicine rather than conventional medicine in a search for both a healthier option to prescription and over the counter drugs, and for an inexpensive means of health care.
2). Mangosteen Nutrition Tasty and Wholesome
Recently, researchers have found a new alternative medicine that has antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial and antitumor activity. That is mangosteen, which is also called queen of fruit for its health benefits and delicious taste.
3). Pure Goji Juice As The Best Way Of Goji Treatment
Goji is a high thorny bush growing in Asia, China, Japan and the USA. Branches of the bush are long, wavy and thus form some kind of a big spiny ball. There are few long leaves that are gathered in small rosettes.
4). All The Amazing Secrets Of Goji Splash
Nowadays we can observe the developing of such phenomenon as goji splash. Goji has become a famous plant, as its berries are attributed to lots of properties that treat numerous illnesses.
5). 5 Breakfast Foods To Start Your Day The Healthy Way
When it comes to eating the most important meal of the day, healthy breakfast foods are key to ensuring the best start of a morning.
6). Does The Fruta Vida Drink Really Work?
Does the Fruta Vida drink really work or is it just enhanced grape juice?
7). Properties of Goji Berries
Goji fruits do have amazing properties. Some of these include immuno-potentiating, hypoglycaemic, antioxidant, hypolipemic and hypotensive properties.
.: Top Nutrition Articles
1). 6 Negative Effects Of Eating Fast Food
A recent study of young Americans Age 4 to 19 revealed that one third of them eat fast food at least once daily. This translates to approximately six pounds of unnecessary additional weight every year for most people.
2). Nutrional Dos and Dont's
An overview of some key issues in Nutrition and weight loss.
3). Carbohydrates and the Glycemic Index
You may have heard about the glycemic index and wondered what it is all about. The glycemic index is a ranking of carbohydrates based on their immediate effect on blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. It compares foods gram for gram of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates that breakdown quickly during digestion have the highest glycemic indexes. The blood glucose response is fast and high.
4). The Six Benefits Of Eating Oatmeal
Eating a bowl of oatmeal each morning is the perfect way to start your day off right. This article will explain the six benefits of eating oatmeal and ways to make it taste delicious.
First off, the oatmeal discussed here is not the instant kind that comes in the different flavors- these are full of sugar. The real stuff is the plain oat flakes from Quaker Oats or a similar brand.
5). Nutritional Benefits Of Figs
Figs are well known for their mild laxative effect, so care should be exercised when consuming fig juice. Try a small quantity at first, prepared from two or three fresh figs.
6). Foods That Make You Feel Full
Is it possible to feel full yet at the same time consume fewer calories? Definitely. In fact choosing healthy foods that satiate your hunger yet at the same time provide less calories is a great way to lose weight and keep it off forever.
7). Health Benefits Of Parsley
Parsley is perhaps one of the most commonly used but therapeutically under-rated of herbs.