By Andreas Moritz

Vitamins seem to be so good for everything. The newly born needs them to grow properly; women take them to be happy; men use them to maintain or increase potency; athletes ingest them to stay fit; and older people take them to become younger or to avoid the flu. Even foods are categorized into good and bad, depending on how many or few many vitamins they contain. Ever since vitamins were produced synthetically they were made available in every drugstore or health shop around the world. Now you don’t have to eat all that vitamin-rich food anymore to stay healthy, all you need is to pop in a couple of those essential vitamin pills a day, or so the advertisements tell you. But if you don’t pay heed to this advice, you are told that you may become vitamin deficient and put your health at risk.

And so we act obediently, out of fear of risking our lives. If you feel tired or suffer from lack of concentration (which could be due to lack of sleep or overeating), you may be prescribed vitamin B pills. Then there is vitamin C if you catch a cold (which could result from stress, working too hard or eating too much junk food). Vitamin E, you are told, helps you prevent a heart attack (so you may no longer need to watch out for the true risk factors of heart disease). Accordingly, we spend billions of dollars on vitamin pills each year to fight off every kind of ill from the common cold to cancer.

Nowadays, artificial vitamins are added to almost every processed food – not because they are so good for you, but because foods that are “enriched” sell better. Cereals, bread, milk, yoghurt, boiled sweets, even dog food with added vitamins leave the supermarket shelves much faster than do those without them. Smokers, meat eaters, sugar addicts, or people who drink too much alcohol can now continue enjoying their self-destructing habits without having to fear the dreaded vitamin deficiency, thanks to the blessed food industry. The magic food supplements have become an insurance policy against poor diet, and nobody has to feel guilty anymore over eating junk food. And on top of that, scientific research suggests that taking large doses of supplements may protect you against disease, even though there is no real evidence to support that claim. As seen in the sales figures, the public believes that the more vitamins you take, the healthier you get.

But are vitamins really so good for your health? Despite the massive amounts of vitamins consumed in modern societies, general health is declining everywhere, except in those countries that still rely mostly on fresh farmed foods. Could the mass consumption of vitamins be even co-responsible for this trend?

Sodium and water are essential to maintain sodium levels and hydrate the body, but too much of either can seriously upset the body’s electrolyte balance. Overconsumption of vitamin A, for example, can cause loss of hair, double vision, headaches, and vomiting in women, all indications of vitamin poisoning. If a woman is pregnant, the supplement can even harm her unborn baby. As we will see, vitamins can even endanger a person’s life.

Vitamin Deficiency – Or Something Else?

In the beginning of the 17th century, Japan was afflicted with a disease, called beriberi, which killed many people. By the year 1860, over one third of Japan’s marines had fallen ill with symptoms of weight loss, frequent heart complaints, loss of appetite, irritability, burning sensations in the feet, lack of concentration, and depression. The symptoms quickly disappeared whenever rice, Japan’s most important staple food, was replaced with other foods.

Thirty years later the Dutch physician Christiaan Eijkman conducted an experiment feeding chicken with white rice. The chicken developed symptoms such as loss of weight, weakness, and signs of nerve infection, which Eijkman interpreted as being beriberi. The symptoms disappeared again when the chicken were fed with brown rice. Soon later Eijkman discovered a few, previously unknown substances within the bran of the whole rice; one of them was named B1. This initiated the era of vitamins.

But, as it turned out, beriberi wasn’t caused by vitamin B1 deficiency. People no longer suffered from beriberi once they discontinued eating rice altogether. It should have been noticed from the beginning that, with “no rice – no vitamin B1 – no beriberi,” the disease must have had other causes than vitamin deficiency. Japanese marine soldiers died within three days after consuming white rice, yet it takes much longer than that to get a B1 deficiency. The origin of this mysterious disease was revealed when in 1891 a Japanese researcher discovered that beriberi is caused by the poison citreoviridine. Citreoviridine is produced by mold in white rice that is stored in filthy and humid environments.

Yet until today, the vitamin B1-beriberi-hypothesis is still maintained in medical text books around the world. Although it has never been proved that a B1 deficiency causes such symptoms as fatigue, loss of appetite, exhaustion, depression, irritability, and nerve damage, many patients having these symptoms are told that they have a vitamin-B deficiency. During vitamin B1 trial studies, all the participants complained about the highly monotonous diet they were given; they suffered fatigue and loss of appetite, regardless of whether they received B1 in their diet or not. As soon as they returned to their normal diet, even without B1, the symptoms spontaneously disappeared.

Another B-vitamin is nicotinic acid or also known as niacin. It has become very popular and is now routinely added to many foods. Niacin is supposed to safeguard us against diarrhea, dementia, and the skin disease pellagra. Pellagra is more widespread among people who eat maize, though not everyone who eats maize gets pellagra. Pellagra was found to be caused by food poisoning through spoiled maize. The poison involved has been identified as T2-toxine and is known to disturb niacin metabolism, thus producing pellagra. Besides the great importance given to taking extra niacin today this substance is not really a vitamin at all since it can be produced by the body itself.

Nobody Knows How Much You Need

Governments and international organizations such as the WHO frequently release figures that propose a Daily Ratio of Allowance (DRA) for every vitamin that you supposedly need to stay healthy. The nutritional experts in different countries however, have different opinions about how much of each vitamin your body must have. An American, for example, is supposed to take at least 60mg of vitamin C, whereas a British citizen is considered better off taking only 30mg. A Frenchman can only remain healthy if he consumes 80mg of this vitamin whereas Italians are told they need 45mg. These figures are “adjusted” every few years, although our bodies’ basic nutritional requirements have not changed over the past several thousand years.

Nobody really knows how many vitamins are good for us because the requirements, constitutions, and absorption rates for vitamins differ from person to person. Vitamins need to be digested before they can be made available to the cells and tissues. Once a person’s the digestive ability (AGNI) has diminished due to congestion of liver bile ducts with intrahepatic stones (see my book The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Cleanse), for example, foods and even vitamins can no longer be digested properly.

When scientists calculate our vitamin requirements, they usually add a 50 percent “safety factor” to the original figures to make certain that we eat enough of them. And because vitamin extraction from food during the digestive process is so much less than 100 percent, these figures are increased one more time. The official methods of analyzing the amount of vitamins we require are inadequate because we simply do not know how much of each vitamin the human physiology needs. The thin, hyper-metabolic Vata body type, for example, may have a far greater need for vitamin B-6 than the heavier-set, hypo-metabolic Kapha type who can never really run out of it.

It is also not known how much of each vitamin is contained in a banana, an apple or a junk of cauliflower. Vitamin contents fluctuate greatly with the size of the fruits, their maturity, the condition of the soil, country of origin, time of harvesting, and the use of pesticides. How many of the vitamins contained in these foods actually end up being utilized by the body depends on the digestive capacity and body-type. All this makes official nutritional figures highly unreliable and speculative.

The vitamin theories originate in the assumption that the human physiology has stores for vitamins that always must be full up in order to saturate the tissues of the body. This assumption, however, has never been proven by scientific research. While calculating human vitamin requirements, nutritional science assumes that the body’s metabolic processes take place at a top speed, which would require plenty of vitamins. Our bodies, however, are not machines that run at top capacity day and night. Most of us are not marathon runners, and even they don’t run for 24 hour's day after day, month after month, and year after year.

It is very questionable whether the saturation of our body tissues with vitamins is even desirable. We need a certain amount of fatty tissue in our body, but this does not mean we should all be excessively filled with fat. Oxygen, too, is considered vital for all our body’s functioning, yet if its concentration in the air is consistently too high it can cause serious bodily harm. Why should vitamins be an exception? And anyway, vitamin deficiency is…

Rarely Caused by Lack of Vitamins

In the majority of cases, a vitamin deficiency does not occur because of insufficient vitamin intake in the diet. A vitamin deficiency is rather caused by a congested capillary network that is unable to diffuse sufficient amounts of the vitamins into the intercellular fluids. This can have a number of reasons, overeating protein foods being one of the major ones.

A diet rich in protein foods, such as meat, fish, pork, cheese, milk, etc., will eventually block the basal membrane (BM) of the small and large blood vessels in the body (see The Key to Health and Rejuvenation, chapter 9 on heart disease). Stress, over-stimulation, and dehydration can have a similar effect. The subsequent thickening of the BM and connective tissues makes it increasingly difficult for the basic nutrients, including vitamins, to reach the cells. If trans-fatty acids are consumed, as contained in most processed and refined fats, oils and fast foods, cell membranes become thick and congested, thereby preventing nutrients from reaching the cell interior. All this greatly increases the amount of metabolic waste and toxins in the body, overtaxes the liver, and causes the growth of gallstones. The gallstones inhibit the flow of bile, which subdues AGNI, the digestive power and increasingly hinders the assimilation of nutrients, including fats. When fats are no longer properly digested, the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K, which are normally stored in the liver, become deficient. This problem becomes exacerbated by eating low fat foods (see The Key to Health and Rejuvenation, chapter 14).

If vitamin A becomes deficient, for example, the epithelial cells, which form an essential part of all the organs, blood vessels, lymph vessels, etc., in the body, become damaged. This can literally cause any kind of disease. Vitamin A is also necessary to maintain the cornea of the eye, allow for eyesight in dim light, and reduce the severity of microbial infection. Vitamin A is only absorbed from the small intestines properly when fat absorption is normal. Fat absorption cannot be normal as long as gallstones obstruct the bile flow in the liver and gallbladder. It is, therefore, very sensible to remove the gallstones and cleanse the digestive system so that the vitamins contained in food you eat can actually reach the cells in your body.

Taking extra vitamins can be harmful if the body is unable to make use of them and is given the additional burden of having to break them down or try eliminating them from the system. Because vitamins are strong acids, an overload can lead to vitamin poisoning (vitaminosis) and thus damage the kidneys, and actually cause the same symptoms that accompany a vitamin deficiency. Instead of filling the body up with large doses of vitamins it cannot even process properly, it would be more healthful and efficient to cleanse the body from accumulated toxins, stored proteins in the blood vessel walls, and impeding gallstones from the liver. Although taking mega doses of vitamins may temporarily increase the pressure of diffusion of these nutrients for a short time and quickly relieve symptoms, the “benefits” are often short-lived. If digestive functions are impaired, taking extra vitamins may actually endanger your health.

Contrary to popular belief, vitamins do not have isolated functions, but are work as a “team” in the body. If taken in supplemental form, versus from food, may be counter productive as excess of one vitamin can have a suppressing effect on another. When isolated and extracted from foods, vitamins arouse your nervous system should you take them. Feeling stimulated, and therefore energized, you naturally assume these vitamins must be doing you good. But stimulants never give you extra energy, they force the body to spend and give up energy.

The best source of healthy vitamins is fresh fruit, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, etc. Fruits and vegetables also contain important health-essential nutrients known as phytochemicals –nature’s food coloring agents. They are what gives them their color. To obtain vitamin D, the best and cheapest source is sunlight. B12 is produced from microbes living in your mouth and gut.

By Ashi Jas


Vitamin D or calciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is mostly made in the human body after exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. The liver and kidney help convert vitamin D to its active hormone form.

Benefits of Vitamin D?

« Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Vitamin D deficiency can make bones thin, brittle, soft and easily prone to fractures. Without sufficient vitamin D, our body cannot absorb calcium, rendering calcium supplements useless.

« Vitamin D acts like a hormone, thus regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestine.

« It helps to control the movement of calcium between bone and blood, and vice versa.

« It helps bone mineralization along with a number of other vitamins, minerals, and hormones of the body.

« Vitamin D prevents osteoporosis, depression, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and even helps control diabetes and obesity.

What are the sources of Vitamin D?

Food sources –

Only a few foods naturally contain significant amounts of vitamin D. Foods with naturally occurring vitamin D are usually animal derived containing the vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). They include egg yolk, liver, fatty fish and fish oils. Smaller amounts are also present in dark leafy vegetables.

Fortified foods are the major dietary sources of vitamin D. Although milk, soya milk is fortified with vitamin D, dairy products made from milk such as curd, cheese, yogurt are usually not fortified.

It is important for individuals with limited sun exposure to include rich sources of vitamin D in their diet.

Exposure to sunlight –

Exposure to sunlight is an important source of vitamin D as ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight trigger vitamin D synthesis in the skin.
It is nearly impossible to get adequate amounts of vitamin D from diet. Sunlight exposure is the only reliable way to generate vitamin D in the body.

What can Vitamin D deficiency lead to?

« Vitamin D deficiency leads to rickets in children which results in skeletal deformities. In adults, vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteomalacia, which results in muscular weakness in addition to weak bones.

« Osteoporosis is commonly caused by a lack of vitamin D, which resists calcium absorption.

« Insufficient vitamin D leads to prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer.

« Vitamin D deficiency may also make a person prone to Type 2 diabetes and impair insulin production. Infants who receive vitamin D supplementation have around 80% reduced risk of developing type 1 diabetes over the next twenty years.

« Vitamin D deficiency causes schizophrenia.

How much vitamin D is required?

The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine considers an intake of 1,000 IU for infants up to 12 months of age and 2,000 IU for children, adults, pregnant, and lactating women to be the tolerable upper intake level.

Daily intake above this level increases the risk of toxicity and is not advised.

Who all are at risk of Vitamin D deficiency?

« Older people as the ability of the skin to convert vitamin D to its active hormonal form decreases
with age. The kidneys, which help convert vitamin D, do not work quite well when people age.

« People who do not get adequate exposure to sunlight, such as women who cover their body outside for religious or cultural reasons or individuals working in occupations that prevent exposure to sunlight.

« People with dark skin synthesize less vitamin D on exposure to sunlight than those with light skin.

« Obesity increases the risk of vitamin D deficiency. Once vitamin D is synthesized in the skin, it is deposited in the body fat, making it less bio-available to overweight and obese people..

« Individuals who have reduced ability to absorb dietary fat as Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. This may be due to conditions such as pancreatic enzyme deficiency, Crohn's disease, bowel disease.

« Exclusively breast-fed infants because human milk may not contain adequate vitamin D.

Is too much of vitamin D risky?

Intake of too much vitamin D can cause toxicity leading to nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, weakness, and weight loss. It can also raise levels of calcium, causing mental status changes.

Calcinosis, the deposition of calcium and phosphate in soft tissues such as kidneys, lungs, blood vessels and heart can be caused by vitamin D toxicity. The kidneys may be permanently damaged and start malfunctioning.

A word of caution:

Even weak sunscreens (SPF of 8) block the body's ability to generate vitamin D by 95%. This is how sunscreen products actually cause disease by creating a critical vitamin deficiency in the body. Chronic Vitamin D deficiency cannot be reversed overnight: it takes months of vitamin D supplementation and sunlight exposure to rebuild the body's bones and nervous system.

By Teck Cheong Yeap


Vitamins are essential in healthy living. A well-balanced and well-rounded diet is important in providing your body with all of the vitamins and minerals that it needs to perform its various functions. There are also several different types of vitamins that we need to ensure that the various parts and functions of the body work properly. The majority of these different vitamins are available in our diets, but depending on how you eat and how well balanced your diet is, it is not uncommon to find that a person is suffering from various vitamin deficiencies.

However, it is nearly impossible for people to receive all of the necessary vitamins and minerals through their diet alone. Many people will supplement themselves with a daily multivitamin supplement, but depending on your lifestyle and diet, you may still need additional assistance in meeting your vitamin and mineral requirements.

Each vitamin has associated deficiencies and symptoms associated with those deficiencies. To assist people in ensuring that they get as many vitamins and minerals out of their diet as much as possible, the government has several different types of foods fortified with additional vitamins and minerals. For instance, to ensure that women of childbearing age receive as much folic acid as they can, the FDA requires that manufacturers fortify all flour-based foods such as breads and bagels. Milk has been fortified with vitamin D since the 1930s. This was started to help people avoid rickets in children, which is a disease caused by vitamin D deficiency.

There is a wide variety of fortified foods available as well. For instance, you're in the grocery store and you find orange juice that is fortified with calcium. These types of foods promise people that they are receiving the necessary vitamins and minerals that they need, but how much do they really help us?

When shopping for fortified foods it is important to realize that if you are already meeting your daily-recommended intake of vitamins and minerals, additional vitamins in your food is not necessarily going to assist you. In fact, it can even work against you. When you exceed your tolerable intake of certain vitamins, you can begin to have side effects. More than 2,000 milligrams of Vitamin C can give you diarrhea and upset stomach. Another example is that you can take plant sterols to lower cholesterol, but you only need two grams of this substance a day for this effect. One thing that people need to realize is that just because you can take in more, it isn't necessarily better. At the same time, the heat generated from the processing of fortified foods actually destroys many of these vitamins' components so you may not be receiving the many benefits that you think you are derived from these fortified foods, as many of the active components are destroyed in processing and cooking.

By Gabe Mirkin, M.D.


For many years we have been advised to wear sunscreen to help prevent
skin cancer, but what happens if you don’t get any sun at all? Scientists don’t know exactly how much sunlight you need for good health, but one report from Turkey showed that women who wear veils have lower blood levels of vitamin D and therefore are at increased risk for suffering osteoporosis (Journal of Women’s Health & Gender-Based Medicine, Volume 10, 2001).

Food sources of vitamin D include egg yolks, liver, and fish oils from sardines, herring, salmon and other fatty fish. The vast majority of people in all cultures do not eat enough of these foods to meet their requirements for vitamin D, so they have to depend on sunlight. You get enough vitamin D to meet your requirements by exposing a few inches of skin to sunlight for less than one half hour a day. Veiled women rarely expose any part of their bodies to sunlight, so they have low blood levels of vitamin D that increase their risk for osteoporosis.

Fortified milk is not a particularly good source of vitamin D because the calcium uses up vitamin D, so you may need more than you get in the milk to compensate.

By James Houston


Many, if not most, Americans do not get enough vitamin D. We all know that vitamin D helps your body build strong bones. However, if you don't get enough vitamin D your body will actually destroy your bones in search of calcium! Without vitamin D your body is unable to absorb calcium from food or supplements.

Vitamin D's most important role is to signal the intestines to absorb calcium into the bloodstream. Without sufficient vitamin D, your body will break down bone to get the calcium it needs no matter how much calcium you consume through food and supplements. Vitamin D is also relatively scarce in normal diets.

The recommended daily amount of Vitamin D for people between the ages of 50 and 71 is 400 international units (IU). To meet this recommendation a person would have to consume 5 ounces of salmon, 7 ounces of halibut, 30 ounces of cod, a 6 ounce can of tuna or 4 cups of milk. Very few people include that much fish or milk in their daily diet. For that matter, milk does not normally contain vitamin D. Nearly all of the milk consumed in the U.S. today is fortified with vitamin D.

By the way, the practice of fortifying milk began in the 1930s to combat rickets, a disease that leads to soft, weak bones caused by vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, don't make the mistake of assuming that all dairy products are automatically vitamin D fortified. In fact, dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and ice cream, are not typically fortified with vitamin D and contain only small amounts.

Casual exposure to sunlight will provide you with most of your vitamin D requirement. Sunlight contains two forms of radiant energy that your body needs to generate vitamin D, which is why it's known as the sunshine vitamin. If you were to sit outside on a sunny day in the middle of summer at the equator wearing only a swimsuit, your body would create a whopping 20,000 IU of vitamin D per hour.

Depending on the season and where you live, even if you don't sunbathe or spend a great deal of time in the sun, you can generate a fair amount of vitamin D just by walking outside for short periods of time throughout the day. Also, your age, skin color and use of sunscreen will influence your production of vitamin D.

Recent studies have revealed evidence that health benefits from vitamin D extend far beyond its reputation for building healthy bones. Over the past decade, studies suggest that adequate amounts of vitamin D may lessen the risk of several types of cancer including colon, prostate, and breast cancer. It may also play a role in preventing high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, and schizophrenia. A 2007 meta-analysis of 18 random controlled tests showed that vitamin D supplementation may even help you live longer.

By Ian Wallace


Almost from birth we begin adding vitamins to our diet. Why? If we eat well, do we not get every conceivable vitamin our bodies might need? Therein lies the kicker. First, vitamins are biochemicals or organic compounds, such as vitamins A through E; these substances are needed in very small amounts. However, an organic compound is a vitamin if, and only if, our bodies cannot make it. Rather, we must either get those compounds from the foods we eat, or buy them as vitamin supplements.

Different kinds of animals can make different kinds of organic compounds. Therefore, a vitamin for us might not be a vitamin for our pet dog or cat because they can make that substance and we cannot.

If we need that substance to carry out normal metabolism, but cannot make it ourselves, then where do we get it? Under natural conditions we would get it from one or another of the many foods we eat, but today most likely we would buy it from our local pharmacy or grocery, even when some of the vitamins we need are in our diet. In either case, that substance is a vitamin, but if we buy it in the form of a pill, it becomes a food supplement or dietary supplement. That is how most of us get those essential organic compounds we cannot make ourselves; that is how we get our vitamins.

The Common Vitamins: The most common vitamins provided by diet supplements are: Vitamin A, Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid), Vitamin B12, Biotin, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Folic Acid, and Vitamin K. There are others, but these are the thirteen that you will find in a bottle of multivitamins.

The Roles of Vitamins in Our Bodies: Vitamins serve different functions in our bodies. For example, Vitamin D is a hormone that plays an important role in bone formation and growth. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that slows down the aging process in cells. Biotin plays a role in making fatty acids, which are key components of every cell in our bodies. Vitamin A regulates chemical signals that pass from one cell to another when new tissues are growing and forming organ systems.

Vitamins in the Vitamin B Complex are all precursors for molecules called enzyme cofactors. That is, most enzymes are proteins, but in order to do their various jobs they need additional molecular parts; these are called cofactors.

Natural Sources of Vitamins: Vitamin A comes in two different forms called retinoids (found in our retinas) and carotenoids (powerful antioxidants), but is destroyed by exposure to sunlight. The most important source of retinoids is liver from a variety of animals including beef, pork, chickens, and fish. Kale, spinach, and collard greens are also good sources of retinoids.

The best sources of carotenoids are the yellow, orange, and red vegetables and fruits, such as carrots, peppers, squash, melons, apricots, mangos, and papayas, but shellfish are also a source of cartenoids.

Good sources of foods rich in Thiamin (Vitamin B1) include: yeast, oatmeal, flax, brown rice, whole grain wheat and rye, asparagus, kale, cauliflower, potatoes, oranges, pork, liver, and eggs. Thiamin is essential to having a healthy brain.

The following foods are rich in Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) which plays a key role in the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins and the transfer of energy: milk, cheese, leafy green vegetables, liver, kidneys, legumes (especially soybeans), and almonds.

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) is found in high concentrations in whole-grained cereals, legumes, eggs, and meat. This compound is essential to the metabolism and synthesis (manufacture) of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, which are themselves basic building blocks of human bodies.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) is found in meat and meat products, whole grain foods, vegetables, and nuts. However, vitamin B6 is easily destroyed by drying, and in the processing of food. Therefore, it should be obtained either as a vitamin supplement or as fresh food. This compound plays a key role in amino acid metabolism and in the release of sugars (glucose) for conversion to energy (we burn glucose to power our bodies).

Excellent sources of Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid or Folate) include a variety of leafy vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, turnip greens, as well as dried beans and peas. Liver, liver products, and baker's yeast also contain high concentrations of folate. Among other critical body functions, Folic Acid is essential to the formation of healthy red blood cells.

The ultimate source of Vitamin B12, which is essential for normal brain function, is from bacteria that live in the hind and mid-guts of animals that are ruminants. We also get Vitamin B12 indirectly from liver, milk, and eggs. The most reliable secondary source is from vitamin supplements.

Biotin is found at low levels in a variety of foods including almonds, eggs, onions, cabbage, cucumber, cauliflower, goat's milk, cow's milk, raspberries, strawberries, halibut, oats, and walnuts, but the most reliable sources are Swiss chard, tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and carrots. Biotin plays a key role in making cell walls.

Many different citrus fruits are good sources of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), but the best are a few exotic plants. The highest concentration of ascorbate per gram of plant tissue is found in the Kakadu plum of Australia. It is 100 times that found in a lime or grapefruit. The fruit of American roses (rose hips) is in third place at 20 milligrams/gram of plant tissue. From there the concentration plummets in other commonly used fruits to around 1 mg ascorbate/1 gram of plant tissue. Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant, but a deficiency of Vitamin C causes scurvy in humans.

Other than the Vitamin D we produce ourselves when our skin is exposed to sunlight, the next best natural sources are fish oils from cod liver, salmon, sardines, and tuna. Vitamin D is essential to the formation of strong bones.

Vitamin E is a generic name for eight related organic compounds called tocopherols, which are all powerful antioxidants. The best sources are spinach, wheat germ, milk, asparagus, and the oils of avocados, almonds, and hazelnuts.

Vitamin K is naturally produced by bacteria (Escherichia coli) that live in our large intestines. These are "good" E. coli, and their Vitamin K production is absorbed by our bodies. There are other food sources that can supplement this natural production, however. These include: spinach, Swiss chard, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, avocados and kiwifruit. Vitamin K plays a key role during the clotting of blood following a wound to the skin.

In summary, vitamins are essential for a healthy and fit body, and most of them can be obtained from the diversity of foods that are normally in our diets. We do not produce them ourselves, and if we do not get them from the foods we eats, then our diets should be supplemented by nutritional products that are readily available in today's marketplace.

By R. Edward Jones


The benefits of Vitamin D are not much talked about in the press. That could be why most folks are unaware of the major benefits of Vitamin D. But please don't think that Vitamin D is not for you.

Vitamin D is another one of those fat soluble vitamins. Fat soluble means that Vitamin D (along with Vitamin A and E) are stored by your body.

Vitamin D is the only vitamin that your body can manufacture. Your body needs exposure to sunlight (without sunscreen) for this to occur.

Your body can also get benefits of Vitamin D from food sources or from supplements. Food sources of Vitamin D include cod liver oil, fatty fish like sardines, tuna or salmon, milk that is Vitamin D fortified and eggs.

However, most folks do not get the required amount of Vitamin D from their diet or exposure to sunlight.

Can't I Get the Benefits of Vitamin D from My Diet Alone

An article in the READER'S DIGEST titled "The Healing Vitamin" states that "Even with a healthy diet, you may be D-ficient (get it? D-ficient?)." The article argues that Vitamin D is not found in many foods and the foods that it is found in, people don't eat enough of.

In addition, folks are using sunscreen to keep the sun from damaging their skin. And even sunscreen with an 8 SPF cuts the UV rays necessary to make your Vitamin D to almost nothing.

An article in the JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION titled "Vitamins for Chronic Disease Prevention in Adults" points out the benefits of Vitamin D. It states that "low levels of vitamin D contribute to osteopenia (comes before osteoporosis) and fractures."

This same article goes on to state that "most people do not consume an optimal amount of all vitamins by diet alone" and "pending strong evidence of effectiveness from randomized trials, it appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements."

Benefits of Vitamin D in Preventing Osteoporosis

Another article appearing in the JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION titled "Osteoporosis, Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy" tells us that "adequate calcium and vitamin D intake is crucial to develop optimal peak bone mass and to preserve bone mass throughout life."

The major benefits of Vitamin D is in enabling your body to use calcium and phosphorous. Without Vitamin D, your body cannot process the calcium in your diet and starts taking it from your bones.

In adults, this results in the bone disease called osteoporosis. In children, a severe Vitamin D deficiency causes what's called rickets.

Rickets is a softening of bones in children and is rare in the industrialized nations though.

An article in the NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE titled "What Was Wrong With Tiny Tim" amusingly argues that Tiny Tim of the Charles Dickens’s "A Christmas Carol" fame is thought to have suffered from Rickets.

That's Not Very Funny

Although Rickets is rare in the industrialized world, osteoporosis is not. In the U.S. it is estimated that 10 million folks have osteoporosis. 18 million more have low bone mass making it highly likely that they too will eventually have this crippling disease.

Osteoporosis is a major health concern and major source of suffering for us older folks. It is estimated that one in two women and one out of every eight men over 50 years of age will have a fracture related to osteoporosis.

300,000 fractures of the hip, 700,000 fractures of the vertebrae, 250,000 fractures of the wrist and over 300,000 other fractures happen every year related to this disease.

Again, the major benefits of Vitamin D is that it enables your small intestine to absorb calcium from the foods you eat. Calcium is required by your muscles and nerves as well as for bone formation.

When your muscles and nerves are not getting enough calcium because of low Vitamin D levels, your body robs it from your bones.

Your bones then become porous and brittle. This does not happen overnight but over the course of your lifetime. That is why prevention of osteoporosis should begin at childhood. And making sure you get the benefits of Vitamin D along with an adequate supply of calcium is one way to do so.

Benefits of Vitamin D in Slowing Progression of Osteoarthritis

Another Osteo you say? Sorry! This time it's osteoarthritis (OA). This disease is a gradual deterioration of the cartilage in the joints. It is the most common form of arthritis.

Another of the benefits of Vitamin D is that it has been shown to lessen the severity of the pain and disability of this disease. The Arthritis Foundation has also reported on the link between low levels of Vitamin D and the increased progression of osteoarthritis of the knees.

Also, in an article in the JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION titled "Steps Toward Understanding, Alleviating Osteoarthritis Will Help Aging Population," we are advised that "preliminary results appear particularly strong for vitamin D."

Are There Other Benefits of Vitamin D? What About Vitamin D and Cancer?

More research is needed but preliminary studies have shown benefits of Vitamin D in areas such as high blood pressure, cancer of the colon as well as breast cancer and diabetes.

Can I Get My Benefits of Vitamin D Without Taking Too Much?

Dr Reinhold Vieth, Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto argues that the Recommended Dietary Allowance (birth to 50 years - 200 IU, 50+ years - 400 IU) may keep you from getting osteomalacia. But he feels more is needed to keep you from getting osteoporosis and secondary hyperparathyroidism.

In an article published in THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION, titled "Vitamin D supplementation, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, and safety," he argues that our ancestors were "naked apes in tropical Africa (his words)." And as such they enjoyed full body exposure to the sun on a daily basis. This, he stated, could give them the equivalent of 10,000 IU every day (and possibly a severe sunburn - my words).

A Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) has been set by The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine. This is the level of Vitamin D that they suggest you do not exceed. The UL for infants 0 to 12 months old is 1000 IU. The UL for both children as well as adults is 2000 IU.

Studies done since 1997 suggest that the current UL is conservative and that Vitamin D is safe below levels up to as high as 10,000 IU.

Since multivitamins supply Vitamin D in doses of 400 to 800 IU as do the single supplements, you should feel more than safe getting your benefits of Vitamin D.

By Frank Will


Magnesium deficiency is not as big of a problem as some of the other nutrient deficiencies, but it is still a major problem if not treated. Magnesium plays important roles in the body, and liquid vitamins and minerals can play a vital role with this nutrient because of the superior absorption ratio compared to tablets or capsules.

The major role of magnesium in the body is in its structure. The adult human body contains about 25 grams of magnesium.

Over 60% of all magnesium in the body is found in the skeleton, about 27% in muscle, 6% to 7% is found in cells, and less than 1% is found outside of cells.

Magnesium is involved in more than 300 essential metabolic reactions such as energy production, synthesis of essential molecules, structural roles, cell signaling, and cell migration. The metabolism of carbohydrates and fats to produce energy requires numerous magnesium dependent chemical reactions and it is also is required for a number of steps during nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) and protein synthesis.

Glutathione, an important antioxidant, requires magnesium for its synthesis.

So what exactly is Glutathione?

Glutathione is an extremely interesting and a very small molecule produced by the body and it is found in virtually every cell in the body. There is speculation that this antioxidant helps repair the body from everyday stress, pollution, poor diet and nutrition, aging, as well as trauma.

Magnesium also plays a structural role in bone, cell membranes, and chromosomes, and is required for the active transport of ions, like potassium and calcium across cell membranes. Through its role in ion transport systems, magnesium affects the conduction of nerve impulses, muscle contraction, and normal heart rhythm.

Calcium and magnesium levels in the fluid surrounding cells affect the migration of different cell types. Such effects on cell migration may be important in wound healing, but it may also be associated with aging and trauma, but the research is still out on the overall Glutathione effects enhanced by magnesium.

However, a deficiency of this nutrient may impair the process of wound healing and impact the effectiveness of Glutathione.

Interactions do occur with other minerals and vitamins, as high doses of zinc in supplementation form apparently interferes with the absorption of magnesium, and large increases in the intake of dietary fiber have been found to decrease magnesium utilization in some studies. Dietary protein may also affect magnesium absorption, which may also cause magnesium deficiency. The active form of vitamin D, calcitroil, may slightly increase intestinal absorption of magnesium.

The even distributions that liquid vitamins and minerals provide will assist in these magnesium functions, as magnesium absorption does not seem to be calcitroil dependent as is the absorption of calcium and phosphate.

A deficiency of this nutrient in healthy individuals who are consuming a balanced diet is quite rare because magnesium is abundant in both plant and animal foods and because the kidneys are able to limit urinary extraction of magnesium when intake is low.

However, there are conditions that increase the risk of magnesium deficiency such as gastrointestinal disorders that include chronic diarrhea, Chrohn's disease, and renal disorders such as diabetes mellitus that may result in urinary loss of magnesium.

Chronic alcoholism, because of poor dietary intake, may also increase urinary loss of magnesium and may result in a deficiency of this nutrient. Age also seems to have an affect on magnesium excretion.

Because magnesium is part chlorophyll, the green leafy pigments in plants are rich in magnesium. Unrefined grains and nuts also have high content.

Good food sources of magnesium include 100% bran cereal, oat bran, shredded wheat, brown rice, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, lima beans, spinach (frozen), Swiss chard (chopped), okra (frozen), molasses (blackstrap), bananas, and 1% milk.

Magnesium supplements are available as magnesium oxide, magnesium gluconate, magnesium chloride, and magnesium citrate salts, as well as amino acids chelates, including magnesium aspartate.

Magnesium hydroxide is used as an ingredient in several antacids, and has proven to be extremely effective over along period of time. There are several very good brands of liquid vitamins and supplements in today's markets that can assist with the distribution of this nutrient.

I am an avid lover of pets and my wife and I have had several pets throughout our years. We are especially fond of dogs, and we have a 12 year old Dalmatian (our 3rd) and a "mutt" that we rescued when someone threw him away to die in a vacant field.

He found us, nearly starved to death, and weighed about 2 pounds. After severe bouts of mange and severe dehydration, and over 1,000.00 in veterinarian bills, we saved the little guys life, and he is one of the best, if not the best, dogs we have ever had and today is a muscular, fit, and firm 70 pound best friend.

After finishing my MBA, which at middle age was not easy, I decided to keep the research work ethics that I acquired, and devote about two hours each night in understanding the health benefits of supplementation for both humans and pets and how they might strengthen our, as well as our pets, immune system in a pre-emptive approach to health rather than a reactionary approach.

Both of my daughters are avid cat lovers, and asked me to help them with health concerns and challenges with their cats.

I am not a veterinarian nor claim to be, just a lover of pets that loves to research and pass on some knowledge that might be helpful, or at least stimulating to the thought process.

Several of the articles that I have written can be found on my website;

Liquid Vitamins & Minerals for Humans & Pets http://www.liquid-vitamins-minerals-humans-pets.com/

Up to 80% of women who took prenatal supplements were deficient in one important nutrient.

Curious? Read on to find out the details...

A study by the University of Pittsburgh reported in the Journal of Nutrition that prenatal multivitamin supplements do not prevent a Vitamin D deficiency!

Maybe you are saying, "I've heard of foliate and pregnancy, but not Vitamin D". Well, let me fill you in on the importance of Vitamin D for you and your baby.

What Vitamin D does for your baby...

proper tooth formation

insulin production

increased mineral absorption

fetal organ and brain development

In addition, babies born with a Vitamin D deficiency have been associated with having an increase of asthma, impaired growth, skeletal problems, Type 1 diabetes and schizophrenia.

What Vitamin D does for you...

protection against depression

insulin production

increased mineral absorption

improved bone health

prevention of blood pressure during pregnancy (preeclampsia)

prevention of colon and breast cancer

Are you ready to up your intake of Vitamin D?

During my 15 years as a Registered Dietician, I have counseled many pregnant women who were shocked to find out they were deficient in Vitamin D, even though they were taking relatively large amounts of prenatal supplements.

This may come as a surprise, but the best sources are grass-fed dairy and eggs, grass-fed meats, lard, butterfat, shellfish, Salmon, marine oil, and liver/organ meat.

You can also supplement with Vitamin D, but you need to be careful of the supplement company and also have proper gut function to enable you to fully absorb it.

By Barbara Hillary, PhD


Vitamin D plays a major role in the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus. Therefore, it's essential for normal growth and development in children, and bone and teeth maintenance in adults. A deficiency of vitamin D may result in rickets for children, and osteomalacia for adults. Both conditions lead to the softening and deformity of bones.

Many Americans are not meeting the recommended daily intake of vitamin D. Populations who are at especially high risk for low vitamin D levels are teenage girls, women, and older adults. Also, individuals with lactose intolerance who do not consume lactose-free milk fortified with vitamin D, or do not take a supplement, are at high risk for vitamin D deficiency.

Emerging research suggested that vitamin D might play a crucial role in prevention of serious health problems. According to scientists, vitamin D deficiency is linked to chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Research showed that women taking calcium and vitamin D supplements had fewer breast, colon, lung, leukemia, and uterine cancers than women taking calcium supplements only. Inadequate intake of vitamin D is also associated with weak muscles and increased risk for hip fractures among older adults.

Unfortunately, there are very few foods that contain vitamin D naturally. Those that do are liver, fish liver oils, and eggs. But more and more foods are being fortified with vitamin D--the best source being fortified milk.

Vitamin D is one of few vitamins that are produced by the human body. Its synthesis is triggered by sun exposure. Most likely, exposing uncovered skin to sunlight three times a week should be sufficient. However, keep in mind that high altitude and dark skin tone do not allow for optimal exposure.

Dr. Hillary is a pediatric nurse practitioner with a doctoral degree in health promotion and risk reduction. She works as a pediatric clinician and writes for Plugged in Parents. Plugged In Parents provides up-to-date info on pediatric health, safety and nutrition along with movie reviews, recipes, tech-savvy tips, and a parent's only forum. You can also contact Dr. Hillary for personal questions related to health and nutrition.

Please visit http://www.pluggedinparents.com

By Sandra Wilkins


The use of prescription drugs is often overlooked as a major factor that contributes to nutritional deficiencies. Typically, the focus is placed on diet and perhaps some lifestyle issues, but many are unaware that the medications they use are possibly creating additional health problems that may not become apparent for a long time. Drug-induced nutrient depletion is a health threat that is not acknowledged by the majority of health care practitioners and it's not because of a lack of information about the subject, because many studies have been published that document the drug-induced depletion of nutrients.

Nutritional deficiencies do not become obvious quickly. A marginal nutrient deficiency, referred to as a "subclinical deficiency," indicates a deficiency of a particular vitamin or mineral that is not severe enough to produce a classic deficiency sign or symptom. In many instances the only clue of a subclinical nutrient deficiency may be fatigue, lethargy, difficulty in concentration, a lack of well-being, or other vague symptoms.
Deficiency-related health problems may never be diagnosed, and the patient may end up taking additional medications for complaints that are really the body's signal for nutrition therapy.

Drugs can deplete nutrients by decreasing their absorption, or by hindering the way nutrients are transformed by the body. They can also affect the storage of nutrients or the way the body excretes the end products of the metabolism of nutrients.

The key to preventing this kind of deficiency is to know what vitamin or mineral can be affected by the drug prescribed to the patient.

If the drug will be used for a lengthy period of time the patient should simply increase intakes of the specified nutrient for the duration of the use of the drug. This simple step will help prevent deficiency-related health problems and help improve the chances of achieving the desired health outcomes for patients.

Some examples of nutrient depletion are as follows:

Antacids deplete calcium and phosphorus

Antibiotics deplete B vitamins (all of them), intestinal flora and Vitamin K

Antidiabetics deplete Coenzyme Q10

Anti-inflammatories deplete Vitamin C, folic acid, potassium and iron

Cholesterol-lowering drugs deplete Coenzyme Q10

Cardiovascular drugs deplete calcium, folic acid and zinc

Ace Inhibitors deplete zinc

Beta-Blockers deplete Coenzyme Q10 and melatonin

Sandra Wilkins, D.T. has extensive experience in natural health and clinical nutrition. As a Dietetic Technician Sandra works with hospital staff dietitians, performing patient nutrition assessments,food and drug interaction education, and patient diet education. In a different capacity she writes guide books on nutrition and wellness. Her background includes 14 years experience in natural health practices, so her combined natural health and clinical nutritional experience makes her uniquely qualified to help clients to tackle health issues. http://www.easystepsfordiabeteshealth.com

By John Farikani


Hair loss women vitamin deficiency, are they words that should be placed together? Does the lack of certain vitamins in your diet really have that much to do with healthy hair growth? If so is there any way to help so you will not have this problem?

These questions are all good ones, and yes it is a cause that can be helped with hair loss women vitamin deficiency. Though stress happens to be the main cause, lack of vitamins and minerals in your diet will lead to many problems when it comes to hair loss.

Did you know that each day a person can lose up to 100 hairs from their head? But in most people those hairs will grow back. When your hair doesn't grow back after falling out it is a fact you are suffering from hair loss. Your hormones only have to be out of balance to have problems caused when it comes to hair growing.

Though illness can also contribute to thinning hair in anyone too. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition that can lead to symptoms such as hair loss in women. There are of course other ailments that can bring about similar symptoms.

It just so happens though right below stress levels that vitamins and minerals are the two other causes that will have women losing hair. One of these situations can arrive when there are too many fatty acids on your scalp. With those acids your scalp may become too dry, and the hair will not grow.

In order to help prevent hair loss in this way you should use a shampoo that treats dry scalp. It has also been proven that women who have short hair will not lose as much hair as the women with longer hair will. Using or taking biotin can help promote hair growth also. If you want to try this take two pills every day, around 8000 milligrams.

Saw palmetto can also help in promoting the healthy growth of new hair. It will help the testosterone levels build up in your body. Other vitamins that may be lacking in your diet include iron and manganese; you can also add those by taking a pill each day.

Though it is normal to lose a bit of hair each day, hair loss women vitamin deficiency can be a problem. So if you notice too much of your hair is coming out get into see your doctor.

By Gabe Mirkin, M.D.


Vitamins are parts of enzymes you can't live without, and your body can't make. We take them for granted today, but vitamin deficiency diseases plagued our ancestors and took a long time to figure out.

Vitamin C is found in fruits and vegetables, and Scurvy, caused by lack of vitamin C for many weeks or months, wasn't identified until people were separated from plants for long periods of time – and that first occurred when they built ships that could go on long voyages.

The crew of Magellan's voyage around the world in 1519 got scurvy, and in 1600 a British report showed 10,000 sailors had died of scurvy in 20 years. In 1747, James Lind, the ship's physician aboard the HMS Salisbury, conducted an experiment on 12 sick men. He divided them into six groups and fed them all the same diet, but gave each pair a different supplement: apple juice, sulfuric acid, vinegar, a mix of spices, sea water, or citrus fruits.

The two men given the oranges and lemon recovered immediately and were back at work in six days. The men who had apple juice improved, but not enough to work. None of the others got any better. Lind's report led to lemon juice rations on long voyages – and sailors called "limeys."

Without vitamin C you don't make collagen, essential to connective tissue, so your gums bleed, teeth loosen, joints and muscles ache, and eventually you die. Any reasonable diet that includes fruits and vegetables gives you enough, so scurvy is rarely seen in North America today.

What about the Eskimos? Most animals, except humans, make their own vitamin C and it's possible to get enough vitamin C to sustain you from fresh meat, especially liver. The word "eskimo" means raw flesh eaters.

By Gregg Hall


As you all ready know vitamins and minerals are an essential part of a well balanced diet in order to stay healthy and to make sure that your body functions properly. The actual symptoms of a vitamin deficiency will not appear until the levels are at very high level.

A vitamin A, B1, or B2 deficiency will show itself as an emotional or mental stress, chapped lips, and other annoying or painful habits. There will also be a loss of appetite. There are some other accompanying annoying and painful habits.

Alcoholism, poor diet, stress, lack of vitamins, or even medications that interfere with the body's consumption of vitamins are the top reasons for vitamin and mineral deficiency in most people. If you are experiencing constant fatigue you may want to consider a lack of vitamins and minerals to be a possible cause. Your doctor will likely prescribe vitamin supplements as a treatment. The one thing that you do not want to do is over do and overdose on vitamins because this can cause more harm than good.

You may watch what you eat and be sure that you are eating all of your vegetables and fruits but it still is a good idea to take vitamin supplements. By taking supplements you are sure to get every vitamin and mineral that you need just in case your diet is missing something. Without even knowing it you will be taking care of something that you could be missing out on. The missing vitamin or mineral could influence your health and well being.

When purchasing vitamins the essential ingredients are B6, B12, D, E, and folic acid these are not only essential vitamins but help in the fight against cancer and maintain a healthy heart. They also help to keep your immune system strong which keeps you healthy and keep you feeling refreshed.

Vitamins can be found online or at local nutrition stores, in many grocery stores, or discount stores, and at a variety of prices. You do not need to spend a lot of money on vitamins. Also keep in mind that vitamins do not replace a well balanced diet. They are meant to supplement a well balanced diet. Vitamins and minerals give your body additional nutrients not all the nutrients that you need.

Anytime that you cannot eat right however, vitamin supplements are even more necessary than before. Supplements are one of the best investments you can make. Yes, the cost does add up over time, but what is a better investment than you? Surprisingly vitamin deficiency is quite common. Something that can be so easily prevented should not be, do your part to be healthy.

By Ernie Mata


Did you know that hair loss can occur when a vitamin deficiency occurs? It's true, there are a few essential vitamins your body needs to maintain good hair health. While there are other factors that may cause hair loss vitamin deficiency is the easiest one you can work on.

So what vitamin deficiency can cause hair loss? You'll be surprised, but there is actually more than one particular vitamin that may cause hair loss if your body lacks those vitamins. One of the major vitamins your body needs for healthy and rich hair is Biotin. Also known as vitamin H, Biotin aids in hair growth and has been shown to prevent further hair loss The basic function of Biotin is to metabolize free fatty acids, which are also important for overall body health. Biotin also works to prevent greying just as well as preventing hair loss.

Another vitamin good for hair loss is Pantothenic Acid. This vitamin also known as Calcium Pantothenate is vital for good health in the skin and the scalp. This vitamin helps with the refining of food for energy. Continued consumption of this vitamin has been shown to turn grey hair into normal darker hair and reverse hair loss You can find this vitamin in such foods as egg yolks, whole grain foods, whole milk, and vegetables like potatoes.

For hair loss also try to take in vitamin A, a deficiency in vitamin A can cause dry skin and dry hair though you should only take about 2,500 iu of Vitamin A per day. Some studies have shown that overuse of vitamin A can further cause hair loss and other diseases. Carrots are rich in vitamin A if you need to fill your vitamin A intake for the day.

Did you know that hair is made out of protein? That's right, your hair is actually 90% protein, so naturally, a deficiency in protein may cause hair loss A good way to get your protein is to eat lean meats, dairy, and whey. Whey protein is easily absorbed by your body and can greatly benefit your hair's health.

If you're suffering from hair loss it's recommended to take a multivitamin that has all of these vitamins, that way you can just take one vitamin and receive all the benefits.

By Tracy Ballisager


Being a woman with hair loss can be devastating. Women feel more embarrassed than men usually do. Hair Loss is a very major and growing concern in today's world, and usually appears more during the childbearing years and also by aging. Stress is another major cause . There are about 100 hairs that fall out of a persons head everyday, in order for another one to take its place. This happens when the hair doesn't grow back the way it should and its usually caused by a loss of certain vitamins, iron, and hormones in the body. Hormone imbalances are also responsible for female hair loss. There is a very wide array of other illnesses that can cause women to lose their hair but the ones mention here are the most common.

Vitamins and minerals are at the very top of the list. Fatty acids in your scalp result in a dry scalp . Shampooing your hair regularly with shampoos that are used especially to prevent dry scalp can reduce these fatty acids. Some brands of shampoos have special vitamins in the ingredients for healthy hair. Women with long hair, past the bottom of the shoulder, are at more risk than women with shorter hair.There are some natural vitamins for promoting hair growth on the market. Biotin is a vitamin in the B family and is essential in the proper growth of hair. Taking two tablets a day about 5000-8000 mg would ensure enough effective results that you should begin to see in just a few weeks. Other vitamins that women should take for healthy hair is saw palmetto which is made from natural ingredients that help rebuild the levels of testosterone, which is the primary hormone in females responsible for healthy hair growth.

A loss in manganese and iron, which are also vitamins for promoting growth. Iron minerals are found mostly in the blood stream more than any place else in the body. It is another main vitamin that helps promotes hair growth.Losing a certain amount of hair is lost everyday which is normal. Losing 50 to 100 strands a day wouldn't be cause to rush down and check with your doctor. But if you notice excessive or hair thinning it is time to seek outside help. Regardless of the age when it begins, and the longer you wait to seek treatment the more permanent the it will become. Fortunately, hair loss in women doesn't result in complete baldness as it does in men. Women may only experience small round patches. Treating and diagnosing female hair loss isn't as simple and straight forward as male pattern baldness.

However, many physicians agree that women should begin to start a hair growth program as soon as possible. Like men's, there are usually several underlying causes. There is good news. Most of the hair loss in women can be completely reversed, however, the idea if diagnosing and treating it will involve a responsible and informed doctor, and a series of tests to rule out the causes. Research studies indicate that a cure is less than ten years away, and with all the new discoveries in medicine and the release of certain medicines from the AFDC, a cure might even come sooner

By Ava Alderman


If you're a woman experiencing hair loss, it's probably safe to say that you want to explore and fully rule out every option that could be causing this. There are so many issues that could be the culprit here - genetics, hormones, pregnancy, going on and off birth control pills, thyroid issues, adrenal issues, scalp issues, and the list goes on and on. One thing that I've recently been asked about a lot is vitamin deficiencies. It's really tempting to think that just replacing some nutrients or popping some hair vitamins will solve the problem. There's a couple of reasons why this isn't always the most effective route to go. I'll explain why in this article.

The Vitamin Deficiencies That Can Sometimes Cause Hair Loss: There are a couple of vitamins that do effect your hair. The first is iron. Anemia has been linked to changes in hair. What most doctors will look at are your ferritin levels and they tend to fluctuate wildly during different times of the month. (When you are menstruating and lose blood, your levels will be lower.)

There was a time when I thought that my hair loss could be directly related to my low iron (My iron has tested low ever since I was a teenager.) But, at my lowest level as a teenager, my hair was to die for. And, I've raised my iron level several times over and it often did very little to effect my hair loss. I also need to state that you absolutely should not try to guesstimate your level or take supplements on your own hoping for the best. Too much iron can be as bad for you (and your hair) as too little. It's so important that you work with your doctor here if this truly is an issue. He or she can help you to reach your optimal and healthiest level.

B vitamins and protein can also affect your hair. It's said that vegetarians can have hair issues because they don't take in enough protein. This can be true for some people, but many celebrities are vegetarians with awesome heads of hair. Still, if you think that this may be a concern for you, be diligent about getting enough protein in your diet.

Most experts will tell you though that typically the western diet has very little vitamin deficiencies. We are among the most over nourished countries in the world. Although it's never a bad idea to take a standard multi vitamin to cover all bases, I find the idea of hair loss vitamins to be a waste of money. Most excess vitamins will just come out through your urine, pretty much literally flushing your money down the drain.

What You May Want To Look At In Addition To Vitamins: In my own experience with hair loss, it's often very rare (for women) that we can change what is going on internally. The exception is if you have documented, supervised medical conditions (like thyroid or adrenal issues) that can be fixed. It's more common that there is a DHT or sebum issue that is effecting your scalp and choking out your hair follicles. (This can be genetic or it can be a fixable scalp issue.) It is much more effective (and safe) to deal with this topically.

I am not a doctor, but in my experience as a woman with previously chronic hair loss, It's best to first address the likely inflammation that is usually a precursor to (or the result of) the chronic hair loss. Once you get a handle on the inflammation, the next step is to bring on and support healthy regrowth. You'll need to have a very healthy scalp for this. Because scalps that still have DHT or inflammation result in unhealthy, miniaturized hair that is only going to fall out again.

It can be very tempting to try to change your hormones or throw a bunch of different supplements at the issue. But, in my experience, this often makes things worse. Women who are prone to hair loss are usually very sensitive to even small internal changes. So, I believe that it is important to try the topical method first before changing up your hormones or changing things inside, unless your doctor advices you of this because of a medical condition (in which case topicals can still help with regrowth and inflammation.)

By Alitsa Neuyo


It is a well known fact that our body requires a specific intake of minerals and vitamins to remain in good health and work perfectly. The body can be supplied with the vitamins it requires through a maintained diet and healthy food, even then the body can become unhealthy and face problems, if the food you take doesn't provide it with the required vitamins, causing a deficiency in vitamins within the body. This can be observed at higher levels of deficiency of the required vitamins.

If someone faces loss of appetite or fells tired most of the time, it clearly indicates lack of vitamins A, B1 and B2. Other visible problems may be chapped lips, emotional and mental stress and more painful and troubling habits.

Though the causes of the deficiencies are many, the most common are stress, improper vitamin content, improper diet and consumption of medicines which obstruct vitamins. If the body does not receive the necessary vitamins everyday, a person tends to feel tired and less energetic. Usually supplements and vitamins will be prescribed by the physician if you consult one, under such circumstances. This will fulfill the required content of your body. It is also important to ensure that vitamins are not taken in excess than required, as this more likely harm your body. Some people try to make up for the deficiency by consuming extra vitamins; this is, however, not suggested.

Even if you are taking a proper diet, you will still be required to take supplements and vitamins. Eating healthy food doesn't imply that the required content of vitamins has been taken, so it is always suggested to take the required vitamins apart from that. These are a great alternative to make up for the missing minerals and nutrients which your diet might not fulfill.

The supplements and vitamins should be taken prior and after every meal. It is important for you to ensure that the body gets the required vitamins in case of any deficiency. Though you cannot really make out, but this deficiency highly effects your health and overall performance.

Supplements should always contain vitamins B6, B12, D, E, and folic acid. These supplements are quite effective in fighting cancer and also keep your heart healthy, apart from acting as a supplementary diet. All these combined make you feel more energetic and ensure a healthy and proper immune system.

Taking good care of your body is important. To ensure this you might have to spend some money. These supplements and vitamins are available online or nearby nutrition stores and some of these are quite affordable. Regardless of your age, it is important to ensure consumption of proper food. Also remember that these are only supplements to provide the additional content of vitamins, which you may not be getting in the food you take, so do not think of replacing your food with these products

If you have not been able to consume proper food, which may happen at times, you can make use of these supplements and vitamins to provide the body with the required intake. It is one of the best places where you can invest your money, as it helps ensuring the right content of vitamins in the body. Though the cost may accumulate over a period of time and you might be spending considerable money over these, it provides the worth to your money by keeping your body fit and healthy, and at the same time preventing a vitamin deficiency. Even though it is a common problem in today's time, it can be easily taken care of.

By Shan Silva


Wherever there is poverty there is malnutrition, which means that this problem is present in all the world, even in the more favored countries.

Children fail to gain weight and adults appear withered and old. Even - youth show evidence of loss of weight, with skin wrinkled and arms shrunk to skin and bones. Careful examination reveals that they also suffer from skin lesions, bone deformities and anemia. In extreme cases the abdomen is distended but this condition is seen only in times of war or famine.

Even where food is available in abundance people may still suffer from malnutrition due to certain faulty dietary habits. Using alcohol and tobacco in any form will result in loss of appetite. The habits of eating sweets and taking food between meals should be shunned if one desires to cultivate a good appetite. A diet high in carbohydrates needs to be supplemented with proteins and vitamins. Special care should be taken in cases of nursing mothers and pregnant women, for these conditions make heavy nutritional demands on the system. One of the greatest problems facing nutritionists is the popular use in many countries of foods deficient in essential minerals, vitamins and proteins. Modern refining processes frequently rob food of these important elements; as a result untold numbers of people suffer from diseases of malnutrition.

If the diet is deficient in one element it is often deficient in others. The total result of such a diet is often a bizarre group of complaints that add up to no specific diagnosis. For this reason it is often necessary to prescribe tablets containing all the vitamins and also the essential mineral elements. There are also a few problems related to specific nutritional deficiencies in certain particular areas.

By Joann Grant


Millions and millions of people world wide suffer from partial or complete hair loss. There exist varied reasons of this agonizing problem. So it is very difficult for dermatologists to ascertain exact reason of hair loss.

However if the loss of hair strikes after usage of certain medications, it could be easily adjudged as a side effect of medication. But many a times the underlying reasons for hair loss remain unidentified. And one such hair loss is deficiency related hair loss. Malnutrition or deficiency of nutrients and vitamins often paves the way for hair fall. So you must check your sharp hair fall against these deficiencies.

Hair follicles require certain vitamins to carry on their constant function of regeneration and growth. If follicles remain deprived of these vitamins they won't be able to carry out their normal functioning and may result in hair loss.

Most often due to poor dietary habits or disturbed metabolism folks happen to be deficient with these vitamins. So a change in dietary habits or food intake is necessary to ensure enough intake of necessary vitamins for hair in order to prevent hair loss.

Vitamin A, E and B are of special significance in keeping the healthy hair.

Vitamin A keeps hair moist by helping them to secrete sebum in scalp as per requirement. This sebum keeps hairs away from dryness. This dryness of hair happens to be first step towards hair fall. So there must not be deficiency of this vital vitamin that also happens to be an anti oxidant.

Vitamin E performs the vital function of increasing level of blood circulation towards scalp and also helps follicle cells take enough oxygen. This result in enhanced ability of follicles to regenerate and grow hair. And the deficiency would adversely affect follicular function.

And four different types of vitamin B also cast adverse effect on hair condition if present in less than needed level. Biotin is a complex vitamin B that effectively curbs hair loss and contribute greatly in keeping hairs firm on scalp. Milk and egg yolk are major sources to cover up this deficiency. Para Amino Benzoic Acid is another B complex that is of equal significance for hair nourishment. Vitamin B6 and Inositol are other two B vitamins that are necessary for healthy hair.

If you are facing deficiency of these vitamins you should incorporate food items in your diet to ensure sufficient intake of these vitamins. It would lessen possibility of hair loss.

By Frank Will


A Vitamin B Deficiency has shown to be linked to several diseases through various research studies, and supplements of this class of vitamins may be a tremendous help in preventative measures.

With modern science trying to fully understand a deficiency of this class of vitamins, several advances that changed the way the world viewed vitamins were made.

The discovery that too little folic acid, one of the eight B vitamins, and the link to birth defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly, started this change of view.

Fifty years ago no one knew what caused these birth defects, which occurred when the early development of tissues that eventually become the spinal cord and the tissues that surround it, or the brain, went awry. Over 25 years ago, researchers found that the mothers of children with spina bifida had low vitamin levels of one of the B vitamins.

Two large trials of randomly selected test groups were conducted where women were assigned to take folic acid or a placebo, and the tests showed that groups getting too little folic acid increased a woman's chances of having a baby with spina bifida or anencephaly; while groups getting enough folic acid either in the diet or through supplements seemed to prevent these defects.

Some if the evidence that modern medicine discovered is that what is considered enough folic acid, at least 400 micrograms a day, is not easily consumed from the food that we eat, and therefore must be supplemented.

Liquid vitamins and minerals offer a superior form of supplement of this class of vitamins, because of their superior absorption ratio compared to pills or capsules.

These early studies are why women of child bearing age today are urged to take extra folic acid, and in doing so, they may be preventing this birth defect in their children. This research is also what led the US Food and Drug Administration in requiring folic acid to be added to most enriched breads, flour, cornmeal, rice, pastas, and other grain products.

The other exciting discovery about the usage and benefits of folic acid and other B vitamins is that they may potentially fight heart disease and some types of cancer. It is too early to tell if there is merely an association between the increased intake of folic acid and other B vitamins and heart disease or cancer, or if high intakes prevent these chronic diseases, but there are some other interesting facts.

In the late 1960's, there was a case where two children had died from massive strokes. The case was examined by a Boston pathologist. Both children had inherited conditions that caused them to have high levels of a protein breakdown called homocysteine in their blood, and both had arteries that where as clogged of those of a 65 year old man that was a fast food addict.

Homocysteine is an amino acid that is found within the blood supply, and several Epidemiological studies have shown that too much of this amino acid is related to higher risks of strokes, coronary heart diseases, and peripheral vascular disease.

After analyzing the case, the pathologist hypothesized that high levels of homocystenine contribute to the artery clogging process of atherosclerosis, a condition where the artery walls are thickened with plaque.
Since then, there have been several other studies that have also linked high levels of homocystenine with increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 play key roles in recycling homocystenine into methionine, one of the 20 plus building blocks from which the body builds new proteins.
Without enough folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, this recycling process becomes inefficient and homocystenine levels increase.

Several other studies have also shown that high levels of homocystenine are associated with increased risks of heart disease and strokes, and increasing the intake of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 decreases homocystenine levels.

Other studies also show lower risks of cardiovascular disease among people with higher intakes of folic acid, those who use multivitamin supplements, or those with higher serum folate, the form of folic acid in the body.

In addition to recycling homocystenine, folate plays a key role in building DNA, the complex compound that forms our generic blueprint. Observational studies have also shown that people who get higher than average amounts of folic acid from their diets or supplements may also have lower risks of colon cancer and breast cancer.

Deficiency of this class of vitamins does provide for several interesting studies, and as a result, this is a vitamin class worth considering in your daily supplement intake.

I am an avid lover of pets and my wife and I have had several pets throughout our years. We are especially fond of dogs, and we have a 12 year old Dalmatian (our 3rd) and a "mutt" that we rescued when someone threw him away to die in a vacant field.

He found us, nearly starved to death, and weighed about 2 pounds.

After severe bouts of mange and severe dehydration, and over 1,000.00 in veterinarian bills, we saved the little guys life, and he is one of the best, if not the best, dogs we have ever had and today is a muscular, fit, and firm 70 pound best friend.

After finishing my MBA, which at middle age was not easy, I decided to keep the research work ethics that I acquired, and devote about two hours each night in understanding the health benefits of supplementation for both humans and pets and how they might strengthen our, as well as our pets, immune system in a pre-emptive approach to health rather than a reactionary approach.

Both of my daughters are avid cat lovers, and asked me to help them with health concerns and challenges with their cats.

I am not a veterinarian nor claim to be, just a lover of pets that loves to research and pass on some knowledge that might be helpful, or at least stimulating to the thought process.