Folic acid can be found in high levels in certain plants. Most Americans, however, do not eat enough of these plants to get the necessary amounts of folic acid, potentially leading to folic acid deficiency. Those with celiac disease, alcoholism, or irritable bowel syndrome are at high risk of folic acid deficiency, which can pave the way for numerous other health problems.
Pregnancy causes an extremely high risk of folic acid deficiency. The fetus quickly uses the mother’s supply of folic acid which can potentially cause a number of health problems including neural tube birth defects in babies.
Folic acid also helps to control blood levels of homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine in the blood can lead to various diseases such as heart disease. Certain B vitamins, including folic acid, work with enzymes to lower homocysteine levels. Folic acid is apparently the most important of all B vitamins in lowering homocysteine levels and supplementation aids in the reduction of these levels. Diseases such as coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease have been linked to folic acid deficiencies in those with regular levels of homocysteine. This suggests that folic acid may have preventative effects beyond regulating levels of homocysteine.
Folic acid has been used to treat those with the following conditions:
Birth defects prevention

• Depression
• Gingivitis (periodontal disease) (rinse only)
• High homocysteine (in combination with vitamin B6 and vitamin B12)
• Pap smear (abnormal) (in women taking oral contraceptives)
• Pregnancy and postpartum support
• Schizophrenia (for deficiency)

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) Deficiency

Most people do not intake necessary amounts of folic acid. Elevated levels of homocysteine are often discovered in those with heart disease. These levels could be maintained by taking supplements. A large number of people have slight folic acid deficiencies in Western countries. It is estimated that close to 13,500 deaths from cardiovascular diseases could be prevented annually by increasing intake of folic acid.

Those taking birth control, suffering from malabsorbtion disorders, liver disease, and alcoholics often have folic acid deficiency. Deficiency has also been commonly found in elderly people suffering from hearing loss. Folic acid can be interfered by certain prescription drugs such as antacids, triamterene, anticonvulsants, cimetidine, anticancer drugs, and sulfasalazine.

Recommended Dosage

400 mcg of folic acid should be taken daily by pregnant women or those who could become pregnant to reduce birth defect risks. Doctors sometimes recommend these dosages to reduce the risk of heart disease. Because the FDA required grains to be fortified with folic acid, people who regularly eat grains only need 100 mcg of folic acid supplementation each day. However, this low level of supplementation often does not maintain high enough levels of folic acid in the body. Pregnant women should supplement with 300-400 mcg daily to prevent folate deficiency.

Along with vitamin B12 and folic acid, vitamin B6 helps to control homocysteine levels. High levels of this amino acid have been linked to diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, osteoporosis, and stroke.

Vitamin B6 has been used in people with the following health problems:

• Anemia (if deficient and for genetic vitamin B6-responsive anemia)
• Autism
• Depression(in women taking oral contraceptives)
• High homocysteine (in combination with folic acid and vitamin B12)
• Morning sickness
• Premenstrual syndrome

Vitamin B6 Deficiency
Deficiencies of vitamin B6 are uncommon. Vitamin B6 deficiency can cause mental confusion, impaired immunity, and skin lesions. Deficiencies are most often found in women using oral contraceptives, alcoholics, those with chronic fatigue syndrome, and kidney failure patients. Experts think that normal diets generally do not provide good enough amounts of this vitamin.

Niacin, or nicotinic acid, and niacinamide, or nicotinamide, are the two forms of vitamin B3. Inositol hexaniacinate is a variation of niacin that can be acquired in some supplements. This form of niacin is sometimes recommended by doctors for those needing large amounts of niacin because it is not currently thought to cause niacin toxicity.

Vitamin B3 has been used to treat those suffering from:

• Acne (topical niacinamide)
• High cholesterol
• High triglycerides (niacin)
• Intermittent claudication (niacin–inositol hexaniacinate)
• Osteoarthritis (niacinamide)

Dosage Recommendations

Because white flour is fortified with vitamin B3, most people intake enough of the vitamin in their diet to avoid a deficiency. B-complex multivitamin supplements do contain between 10-25 mg of the vitamin. Certain health problems necessitate higher levels of the vitamin.

Vitamin B2 Deficiency

Alcoholics can suffer from vitamin B2 deficiency. Those suffering from sickle cell anemia or cataracts are also likely to develop a deficiency. The deficiency is a risk factor for developing preeclampsia in pregnancy in developing countries.

Vitamin B1

Vitamin B1 Deficiency

The exact amount of vitamin B needed is unknown; however, one study found that healthy people intake over 9 mg daily. Multivitamin supplements contain 20-25 mg, which is more than needed by most people.

Vitamin B1 has been used for conditions including:

• Anemia (offers probable health benefit)
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Canker Sores
• Hepatitis
• Lower back pain

Dosage Recommendations

The exact amount of vitamin B needed is unknown; however, one study found that healthy people intake over 9 mg daily. Multivitamin supplements contain 20-25 mg, which is more than needed by most people. ]]> http://minerals-vitamins.info/vitamin-b1.html/feed http://minerals-vitamins.info/vitamin-b-complex-2.html http://minerals-vitamins.info/vitamin-b-complex-2.html#comments Sun, 09 May 2010 07:15:17 +0000 akhtar http://minerals-vitamins.info/?p=44 Vitamin B Complex
The vitamin B-complex includes all known imperative water-soluble vitamins excluding vitamin C. These vitamins include vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B12 (the cobalamins), biotin, and folic acid.
All B-complex vitamins perform specific body functions and have unique structures. Biotin and vitamins B1, B2, and B3 all have roles in energy production. Vitamin B6 assists with amino acid metabolism, and folic acid and vitamin B12 make cell division possible. These vitamins also each perform numerous other jobs. However, the body never needs to use all B-complex vitamins at the same time to perform a job.
Daily requirements of B-complex vitamins vary. 18 mg of vitamin B3 and 3 mcg of vitamin B12 are recommended for adult males. Equal amounts of each vitamin should not be taken, as are provided by numerous supplements. Megadoses of B-complex vitamins have not been supported by research to help increase energy, fight stress, or control food cravings unless a person suffers from deficiency. There has been no evidence to support that the other B vitamins should be taken to create balance when a certain B vitamin is used to treat a health condition.
Multivitamins usually include B-complex vitamins. These supplements are recommended because they not only provide B-complex vitamins, but only essential vitamins and minerals that help prevent deficiencies and improve nutritional intake.
 

Anemia (for deficiency)
Childhood disease
Cystic fibrosis
Leukoplakia
Measles (for deficiency)
Leukoplakia
Night blindness
Dosage Recommendations
For the average person, 25,000 IU (7,500 mcg) of Vitamin A daily is safe. People with liver disease or those older than 65, should not take more than 15,000 IU of Vitamin A each day unless directed by their physician. Recommendations for pregnant women are being re-determined. Currently, experts believe that less that 10,000 IU, or 3,000 mcg is safe. Larger amounts could possibly cause birth defects.
Vitamin A Deficiency
Vitamin A deficiency occurs when people do not intake enough vegetables with beta-carotene, dairy foods, and liver. Infants born weighing 2.2 pounds or less are likely to have a deficiency. Double-blind research studies have administered shots to these infants to try to lower the risk of lung disease. Deficiency symptoms include poor night vision, higher risk of infections, dry skin, and a precancerous condition called metaplasia. Extreme deficiencies can cause blindness, but are very rare in Western countries.
Some deficiencies occur more often accompanying other conditions that lead to malabsorption. Those infected with HIV often have vitamin A deficiencies. Hypothyroidism causes a weakened ability to change beta-carotene into vitamin A. Those suffering from hypothyroidism are often advised to take vitamin A supplements (5,000-10,000 IU daily) if their bodies do not absorb sufficient amounts from their diet.
Elderly people suffering from type 2 diabetes often have a decline in vitamin A blood levels due to their age and despite sufficient dietary intake.

Sun block, Sunscreen, and More There’s a difference between sun blocks and sunscreens. True to their name, sun blocks prevent the sun from reaching your skin. If you’ve ever been a lifeguard, you’re probably familiar with the sun-blocking agent zinc oxide, the creamy white coating that has saved many a nose from too much sun. Zinc oxide and its chemical cousin, titanium dioxide, are sun blocks because they reflect ultraviolet radiation away from the skin surface. Both are available in skin tones and fashion colors, while titanium dioxide is also available in a clear formula. These ingredients are used in some commercial lotions such as those labeled as “non-chemical” or “for sensitive skin.” Sun blocks are highly effective in protecting against UVA and UVB rays (see “Don’t get burned by improper sunscreen use“).

Sunscreens, on the other hand, absorb rather than reflect UV radiation. In recent years, the most widely used sunscreen ingredients have included benzophenones, which protect against UVA, and cinnamates and salicylates, which protect against UVB. You’ll see these ingredients listed as oxybenzone, octyl salicylate, or octyl methoxycinnamate, to name a few. A major drawback is that many of these ingredients break down after several hours when exposed to sunlight, which means that the sunscreens need to be reapplied to be effective.

But two new sunscreens — Anthelios SX and Helioplex — provide longer-lasting protection against UVA and UVB rays. Research shows that Anthelios SX, which was approved by the FDA in 2006, retains 80 percent of its UVA protection and 90 percent of its UVB protection five hours after application. The product combines a new UVA absorber called ecamsule with an older UVA absorber (avobenzone) and an older UVB absorber (octocrylene). Helioplex is a stabilized formulation of avobenzone and oxybenzone, a longstanding UVB and UVA absorber. Helioplex and Anthelios SX appear to be comparable in sun protection and stability.

When choosing a sunscreen, most people look at the product’s sun protection factor (SPF) rating. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 15. People with fair skin or at high risk for skin cancer may want to go higher. The higher a sunscreen’s SPF rating, the longer it protects against sun exposure.

Dairy products, such as milk and cheese, are the most densely packed calcium foods. Vegetables, including mustard greens, broccoli, collard greens, Chinese cabbage, and bok choy, along with sardines (bones included) and tofu, are also rich in calcium.

The average American takes in about 800 milligrams of dietary calcium each day. Typically, males consume more calcium than females. Calcium supplements can be valuable for those whose diets are lacking in calcium rich foods. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 25 percent of American women take supplemental calcium.

The following health conditions have been associated with calcium deficiency:
Rickets
Osteoporosis
Premenstrual syndrome
Gestational hypertension
Preeclampsia (for deficiency)
Lactose intolerance (for preventing deficiency if dairy products are avoided only)
Dosage and Administration

A wide variety of supplemental calcium salts are available, including calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium gluconate, calcium citrate, and calcium lactate. Approximately 40 percent of elemental calcium is found in calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate; while calcium citrate contains roughly 21 percent, calcium lactate approximately 13 percent, and calcium gluconate only about 9 percent. It is common for calcium preparations to also include vitamin D.

In order to adequately meet the body’s needs, men and women between the ages of 19 and 50 should consume 1,000 milligrams of calcium each day; and men and women between 51 and 70 (or older) should take in 1,200 milligrams. The adequate daily intake of vitamin D is considerably less. Adult men and women ages 19 to 50 should consume daily amounts of vitamin D equaling 5.0 micrograms or 200 IU, while men and women ages 51-70 should take in 10 micrograms or 400 IU. Men and women over the age of 70 should consume 15 picograms of vitamin D each day, or 600 IU.

The body is best able to absorb calcium when it is taken with food in doses of 500 milligrams or less.