Essay on "Vitamin Supplements"

Essay 10 pages (2989 words) Sources: 10 Style: Harvard

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Vitamin Supplements

Vitamins are organic substances necessary for the proper growth and functioning of the body (Lee, 2009). They do not provide calories and are needed only in small amounts for body metabolism. They must come from food because the body does not produce them. The only exception is Vitamin D, which the body produces when exposed to the sun. Insufficient vitamin intake can lead to disease. Causes of insufficient intake include poor nutrition, restricted diet or poor absorption by the intestines. Examples of diseases caused by insufficient vitamin intake are anemia, nerve and brain damage, easy and excessive bleeding, vision defect and night blindness, bone diseases and scurvy (Lee).

The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Science has disseminated the recommended dietary or daily allowance or RDA for vitamin and mineral consumption (Lee, 2009). The recommended amounts are present in a balanced diet and will prevent vitamin deficiency diseases. Hence, a person who regularly eats a balanced diet does not need vitamin supplements. Certain groups of people are, however, unable to follow RDA and eat a balanced diet. Examples are the elderly, those with pernicious anemia or atrophic gastritis, alcoholics, those taking Oristat, on a diet, or suffering from diseases not attributable to vitamin deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is common among the elderly. Those suffering from pernicious anemia and elderly with atrophic gastritis lack and need Vitamin B12. Alcoholics may be deficient of thiamine, folic acid and niacin. Those taking Orlistat or using Xenical to lose weight may not absorb fat and develop deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins. And insufficient intake of folic acid and Vitamin B6 and B12 may lead to high blood levels of homocysteine and an increase risk of heart attacks. And childbearing women with inadequate intake of folic acid confront the risk of birth defects in their babies (Lee).

Although vitamin deficiency diseases are uncommon in the U.S., nutritionists and other health professionals recommend vitamin supplements to these special sectors (Lee, 2009). Vitamin supplements also help prevent diseases, such as atherosclerosis, health attack, strokes, birth defects and some cancers, when the diet is inadequate (Lee).

Discussion

The brisk sale of vitamins and minerals shot up by 4% in 52 weeks on account of present-day lifestyle and demographic trends (MMR, 2003). While nutritionists assure that an adequate diet is enough to provide all the body's need for vitamins, people's busy schedules deprive them the chance to eat a balanced diet regularly. They are drawn towards fast foods, snacks and other foods, which do not provide them with balanced nutrients. They take recourse to vitamin supplements. The population is also aging. Those who are growing older would like to remain healthy and active. They also take recourse to vitamin supplements and calcium (MMR)..

The American Association of Poison Control Centers recently confirmed that supplemental vitamins are safe to take (Kiefer, 2007). It said that no deaths had been reported to them as a result of exposure or ingestion of any form of vitamin supplement, whether in single or multivitamin form. The Orthomolecular Medicine News Service announced that Americans ingest more than 53 billion doses of supplemental vitamins yearly (Kiefer).

Benefits

Enhances Cognitive Functions

The results of a study showed that vitamin supplementation in young-to-middle-aged respondents improved motor speed and sequencing ability in neuro-physical tests (Evans, 2007). The researchers compared the findings on 33 respondents who received vitamin supplementation and 27 who were on placebo. Their mean age was 39 years, the majority of whom were whites at 72% and had at least a college degree. Those who took vitamin supplements were found to perform assigned tasks with increased motor speed. They also displayed improved executive skills (Evans).

May Suppress Abnormal Cell and Tumor Formation in Breast Cancer study found that a common vitamin supplement, resveratrol, has the ability

To suppress the formation of chemical structures, called adducts, in the genetic material in breast cancer (Rogan, 2008). The compound activates an enzyme, quinine reductase, which deactivates the estrogen metabolites. The experiment was performed on cultured cells and will be repeated in human trials. The result had a dramatic impact in the medical community's search for a fast cure for breast cancer. This vitamin is found in grapes and red wine (Rogan).

Reduces Risks of Developing Cancers four-year study found that the use of Vitamin D and calcium supplements decreased the chances of developing cancer among postmenopausal women (Kiefer, 2007). These were women respondents who took 1,100 IR of Vitamin D3 and 1,500 mg calcium each day. Higher intakes of the supplements also further reduced cancer risk (Kiefer).

Reduces Risks of Developing Stress Fracture

Another recent study showed that these supplements prevent stress fractures from bone overuse (Dye, 2008). Stress fracture tend to occur when bones are repetitiously overused and stressed without giving them enough time to repair themselves. This condition is more common among women than men. The study surveyed 5,201 female Navy recruits who took 2,000 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D daily during their basic training for eight weeks. In the duration of treatment, 309 were diagnosed with stress fracture but those who took the supplements had 20% lower incidence. The study concluded that Vitamin D and calcium supplement might greatly decrease the consequences of stress fractures. These are debility and financial costs. The supplements could prove to be a safe, easy and inexpensive preventive, which will not interfere with training goals and activities (Dye).

May Protect Against Type 1 Diabetes

It begun in early childhood, Vitamin D supplementation may hinder the development of type 1 diabetes (Thompson 2008). This was the conclusion made by the meta-analysis of studies conducted by the Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals on almost 6,500 infants. The studies showed a significant decrease in the risk of developing the disease (Thompson).

May Reduce Risks of Developing Venous Thromboembolism randomized trial of 39,876 women, who were on Vitamin E supplementation for 10 years, reduced their risk of developing venous thromboembolism (Dye, 2007). Venous trhromboembolism occurs when blood clot in the veins gets dislodged and flows through the bloodstream. It may block circulation to the brain, the heart or the lungs and, thus, is life-threatening (Dye).

The respondents who took Vitamin E supplements exhibited a 21% reduced risk of developing the disease and 27% in cases of unprovoked venous thromboembolism (Dye, 2007). Unprovoked venous thromboembolism is not caused by trauma, surgery or cancer. The study also concluded that women with a history of, or a genetic to, the condition could have a higher reduction of the risk at 44-49%. They could, therefore derive greater benefit from the use of the supplement (Dye).

Extends Survival of Alzheimer's Disease Patients

Investigators of the American Academy of Neurology recently found that Vitamin E supplementation could increase the lives of Alzheimer' Disease sufferers as compared to those who did not take the supplement (Dye, 2008). This was the result of a survey they conducted on 847 men and women who had the disease for an average of five years. They took 1,000 IU of the vitamin twice a day together with their prescribed cholinesterase inhibitor medication. The experiment showed that those who took Vitamin E supplements, with or without the cholinesterase inhibitor, had a 26% survived longer than those who did not. One investigator commented that the Vitamin already exhibited the capability of delaying the progress of moderately severe Alzheimer's disease. The result of this investigation presented as a boon in increase patients' lives (Dye).

MK7, a Projected Blockbuster Supplement newly-discovered member of the Vitamin K family may just prove to be a nutritional blockbuster in the future (Zucker, 2007). Cardiologist and nutrition expert Stephen T. Sinatra said that Vitamin K2 subtype, MK-7, could put calcium just where it is needed and stay out of artery walls at the same time. MK7 would be a doctor's fantasy as it protects against osteoporosis and arterial calcification. Arterial calcification commonly contributes to plaques, rupture, heart attacks and stroke (Zucker).

Vitamin K is found in green leafy vegetables from which it is synthesized (Zucker, 2007). It was discovered by Danish scientists in 1929 to play a role in blood coagulation. Vitamin K2 helps in the construction of health bones. The body natural uses a protein, osteocalcin, to carry calcium from the blood and attach it to the bone matrix. Without Vitamin K2, calcium is instead deposited on arterial walls where it should not be (Zucker).

MK7 is naturally produced in the body by beneficial bacteria but in limited amounts from Vitamin K (Zucker, 2007). Food is the other source, especially a Japanese fermented soybean dish, called natto. Lower incidence of osteoporosis was reported in Tokyo where the dish is popular. it, however, does not have a pleasant taste and needs spices to taste better to Westerners. Cheeses are a convenient source of MK7 but have only 30-60 mcg as compared to natto, which provides 100 grams (Zucker).

K2 supplements have been available in health food stores in synthetic form for more than two decades… READ MORE

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