Vitamin K Is A Fat Soluble

It is a fat-soluble vitamin required in many metabolic processes of the body e.g. bone and cartilage repair, blood coagulation. Vitamin K lays a role in clot formation as well as prevention of clots, but abnormal clotting cause problems in the body.

The clotting process is a complex one. It requires more than 12 proteins to function properly. About 4 of these proteins require Vitamin K. Rarely its deficiency causes disorders in the clotting process. Infants have its deficiency because Vitamin K is not absorbed through the placenta.

Decreased Vitamin K levels have been linked to heart disease. Researchers have now suggested a 500mcg intake of Vitamin K daily.

Vitamin K activates the protein osteocalcin, the protein is useful in the mineralization of bone. Osteoporosis has been shown to be linked with the deficiency of Vitamin K. Vitamin K dependant-proteins in the joints have also been shown to be the reason for Vitamin K deficiency.

Food sources include green vegetables, legumes. Many fruits have been shown to contain Vitamin K in higher amounts than usual. Blueberries, Soybeans 1/3rd of the total daily intake of Vitamin K.

Bacteria in the intestines produce Vitamin K but this is not sufficient and more is needed from the diet. 2-3 servings of green leafy vegetables contain enough to cover the daily intake of Vitamin K.

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Vitamin E - Tocopherol

Widely known as tocopherols, it is a fat-soluble vitamin. Naturally it exists in eight different forms i.e. alpha-, gamma-, beta-, delta-tocotrienol or alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-tocopherol. Alpha-tocopherol is the only form that is absorbed by the human extensively. Vitamin E absorption takes place in the liver. Relative to other forms of Vitamin E, only alpha-tocopherol increases the blood serum levels of Vitamin E greatly so only this form has been, found to be beneficial in research.

Vitamin E protects the cells from free-radical damage. The cell linings are composed of fats. These are protected by Vitamin E. The Vitamin E has demonstrated its potential successfully in the treatment for cardiovascular disease. It help protect against LDL – bad cholesterol – which when accumulates in the arteries, causes them to become hard.

Best sources for its consumption are green leafy vegetables and many other foods, e.g. sunflower oil has the highest amount of vitamin E. Fat foods have been shown to have good amounts. These include nuts, seeds, extracted oil and fatty fish.

Vitamin E is one of the most deficient vitamin in the American population around 92% are deficient of it.

So, start taking Vitamin E and be healthy.

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Vitamin D - ‎Cholecalciferol

A fat-soluble vitamin, its deficiency can cause cancer, bone loss, and a weak immune system. It is a secosteroid, similar to steroids but with broken ring. Getting vitamin D is easy, just out of outside on a sunny day and viola, you have it. The skin converts from cholesterol to cholecalciferol. It is used in three forms, as supplements. Naturally, our skin converts it to D3 form i.e. cholecalciferol. While in the market you can find D2 i.e. ergocalciferol.

Vitamin D deficiency has been found to be the reason for many dangerous and life threatening diseases e.g. rickets, osteoporosis, arthritis, cancer.

Although its deficiency can cause disorders but if it exceeds optimum amount in the blood, it can accelerate the aging process.

Breastfed infants are required to take 400IU of Vitamin D. Older people need it more as their skin cannot convert it more efficiently because their kidneys are less able to convert into its more active form.

Calcium absorption requires Vitamin D. Higher calcium levels in blood are dangerous and also life threatening, so adequate intake of Vitamin D is a requirement when taking calcium supplements.

Vitamin D is good addition to your daily health maintenance. Stay healthy, Stay fit.

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Cancer is The Most Devastating Disease of the 21st Century

The most devastating disease of the 21st Century, it affects more than half a million Americans every year. It is second most common cause of death 1 in every 4 die of this disease. Cancer is the abnormal division of cells, it can spread to other body parts via lymph and blood tissues. 

There are many types of cancers, most common are:

* Breast
* Colon
* Prostate
* Sinew
* Parotid
* Bladder
* Kidney
* Lung
* Eye
* Brain
* Ear
* Stomach
* Cervical
* Bone

The disease can be categorized, into five broad categories,

* Carcinoma: 
                         The cancer begins in the skin and spreads to the internal organs.
* Sarcoma : 
                         The cancer begins in the muscles, bone, tissues, fat, blood vessels

* Leukaemia : 

                         The cancer that starts in the bone marrow, and large number of abnormal       cells to be produced and enter the blood

* Lymphoma and Myeloma : 
                         The cancer affects the immune system i.e. (immunoglobulins decrease)
* Central Nervous System Cancer : 
                         The cancer that begins in the brain and spinal cord, Many forms of treatment, are used in this disease. People use many types of treatment e.g. chemotherapy, radiation, hot spas, hydrotherapy.

Alternative treatment suggestions will be given, in the future.

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Vitamin C - Ascorbic Acid

Ascorbic acid, the chemical that makes up most of the citrus fruits we normally consume. The vitamin is water-soluble, so excess gets excreted from the body. RDA recommends a dose of approx. 100mg per day, but mega-doses have been used to treat many dangerous health conditions. It is a reducing agent and donates electrons. It works as a cofactor in many enzymatic reactions such as collagen synthesis, creatinine production and catecholamine, and as an oxidant.

Studies have shown that higher Vitamin C intake reduces stroke and cardiovascular disease including stroke. Reduces the spread of cancer in many studies. Those that have a disorder of kidney stone formation, are advised to avoid higher doses of Vitamin C.

Most of Vitamin C can be taken from Orange, Grapefruit and Kiwifruit. Naturally these have the highest amounts of Vitamin C. Many studies have shown that it is the best common cold treatment, better than drugs.

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