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 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 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 Jeff Sharp


Hair loss is something that affects millions of women every year, so you're not alone in having this problem and looking for high quality information on how to prevent and restore your hair.

Being a woman suffering from hair loss can be extremely embarrassing and take a toll on your self-confidence. Losing your hair is a major problem in today's world, and it seems to bear its ugly head the first time when you're having your first child or when you're just getting older.

A vitamin deficiency is not the only reason for you losing your hair, stress and hormonal imbalances also play a big part in how healthy your hair is.

There are also some issues with hygiene products like shampoos and conditioners, which nowadays contain him and a lot of chemicals and other harmful substances. These products can cause hair loss if used for prolonged periods of time.

Sometimes hair loss can't really be prevented, but there are natural alternatives which can help you dramatically slow down the process of aging and increase your chances of keeping your hair for a long time.

Losing some hair every day is normal, but if you're reading this then you probably have noticed too much hair falling out and you're looking for a simple solution. The key is to look for a completely natural treatment or product that has been proven to work on women.

You might want to look into some new herbal treatments in the market today; these are completely natural and only contain natural nutrients and herbs.

Another way to boost your hair health is to live a healthy lifestyle and exercise, you might even want to supplement with high-quality multivitamin and pure omega-3 fish oil.

When you're looking to solve the problem of a vitamin deficiency, look for vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, biotin and vitamin B6. Other effective ingredients you might want to look into our horsetail silica and para-amino benzoic acid.

By Audrey Frederick


If you are like me, you feel that you take reasonably good care of your health and diet. I take a handful of vitamins every day and eat what I consider a good balanced diet. I have very few medical problems, the most serious being, high blood pressure, which is well under control. So why did I end up in an ambulance heading to the hospital?

It was a Saturday morning, I was not feeling up to par, managed to pass out, get the dry heaves, feel a strange pain in my chest and started shaking. A hurried call to 911 by my husband brought the paramedics and I was off to the hospital.

Many tests later, showed I had no vitamin B12 in my system and that I was extremely low in potassium, this information left me wondering, how could that have happened?

After a pleasant day and a half stay in the hospital, I came home and decided to do some research on Vitamin B12 and why we need it. The information was amazing and I feel it is important enough to pass on.

It is hard to believe, but according to recent studies, more than 25 percent of the American population is Vitamin B12 deficient. The deficiency in itself can lead to Alzheimer's disease, depression, bipolar disorders and many of the mystery pains we have, along with short-term memory loss.

What is Vitamin B12 and what does it do?

* Vitamin B 12 (cyanocobalamin) is an oxygen carrier, it decreases blood cholesterol, metabolizes fat and is necessary for healthy nerve tissues.
* It is a water-soluble vitamin needed for nerve cell activity and for DNA replication.
* Vitamin B12 is a cobalt compound that occurs in the liver and is essential for blood formation, neural function and growth.
* Vitamin B12 supports positive mood function and is often used as in anti-depression therapy.
* It helps maintain a healthy nervous system, increases energy, improves short-term memory, concentration and physical balance.
* Vitamin B12 helps the body metabolize carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats and is used to treat pernicious anemia.
* Folic acid along with Vitamin B12 will correct anemia and will help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Who needs Vitamin B12?

* The interesting thing is, the lack of vitamin B12 can happen to any one of us, it can happen in the womb and by the time a baby is born, it already has development problems, that will not be noticed until later.
* Young adults may be at greater risk than thought of in earlier research; however, if they eat cereal fortified with Vitamin B12, at least 4 times a week, they appear to be protected from a deficiency.
* People with pernicious anemia, a condition that happens when there is insufficient hemoglobin in the red blood cells, to carry oxygen to the cells and tissues. Vitamin B12 along with folic acid, B6 and iron are needed to help improve the condition. Most people with pernicious anemia need to get injections of Vitamin B12 on a regular basis.
* Individuals with stomach and small intestine disorders may be unable to absorb Vitamin B12 from food. There are several diseases that can cause this problem such as celiac disease, which is a genetic disorder. People with CD have intolerance to a protein called gluten and must be on a gluten-free diet. Crohn's disease, which is an inflammatory bowel disease, causes nutrient malabsorption requiring routine medical care.
* Older adults, those aged 50 and up, comprise about 30 percent who may have what is known as Atrophic gastritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach. This condition decreases the amount of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which decreases the amount of Vitamin B12 that is separated from the proteins in the food and absorbed into the body. Vitamin supplements and food fortified with Vitamin B 12 are the best sources of the vitamin for these people.
* Vegetarians are a greater risk for developing a vitamin B12 deficiency, as the vitamin comes meat and meat products. Strict vegetarians and vegans are the ones at greatest risk. It is interesting, as my daughter works at an Arts College that has many true vegans attending and there is not a day that goes by that several students faint, which is a sign that they are low or deficient in vitamin B12. It may take years for the deficiency to show up, but it will.

It is very important that mothers who are strict vegans consult their pediatricians regarding their babies. A deficiency in Vitamin B12 in an infant can result in permanent neurological damage.

Is there a health risk of taking too much vitamin B12?
According to the Institute of the National Academies there are not any established rules for this vitamin, since it has very low potential for toxicity. The Institute states that there is no adverse reaction for healthy individuals, taking excessive doses of B12 from food or from supplements. They also recommend that adults over 50 years of age get their vitamin B12 from supplements and from food fortified with the vitamin. A recommend dosage per day is approximately 1,000 mcg (that is micrograms and not milligrams.)

What causes a vitamin B12 deficiency?

Poor nutrition can cause some to people suffer from this deficiency, the B12 vitamin is found in meats and dairy product and is not found most plant foods. People who are on a tea and toast diet, such as the elderly, will suffer from a deficiency. Chronic alcoholics that pay little attention to their nutritional needs and vegans, who eat absolutely no animal products what so ever, will also be deficient in the B12 vitamin.

Malabsorption is another primary cause for a deficiency in B12. Such problems as pernicious anemia, atrophic gastritis, ulcers and acid reflux disease can cause problems. Medications such as Nexium and Prevacid will deplete your body of vitamin B12 over time.

Chronic disorders such as peptic ulcers, diarrhea, Crohn's disease, along with patients who have had a history of intestinal surgeries and small bowel infestations of tapeworm or other intestinal parasites will have deficiency.

Vitamin B12 is taken into the stomach and is treated by an enzyme which the stomach cells secrete to make it more absorbable in the lower intestine. If you are lacking the enzyme or hydrochloric acid (as many people do, from middle age on) you cannot absorb enough of the vitamin B12. At this point it is necessary to take supplements and/or get the vitamin B12 shots on a daily/weekly or monthly basis.

Now there you have it, a bit of information about a vitamin that you probably have never thought about and the importance of it in our lives. For me, it was a wake up call, I never dreamed I would have a vitamin deficiency of any kind and certainly never thought I would end up in a hospital because of one.

I am now getting a shot every month and will take some supplements to build up my system. However, before you start to self medicate yourself and take any supplements, I truly recommend you call your primary physician to get a blood test, to see if you are deficient. A blood test is very inexpensive and will bring you up to date on how well your blood and you are doing.

Vitamins are essential for the growth and development of the human body. Vitamins are found in natural foods. A good diet virtually ensures an abundant supply of vitamins. Vitamin A deficiency is a common disease in poorer parts of the world and causes night blindness. Vitamin A is found in fish, liver and green vegetables. Failure to consume sufficient quantities of meat, milk or milk products leads to a deficiency in Vitamin B12. This deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia and, if severe enough, can result in irreversible damage to the nerves, liver and intestinal tract. Vitamin C, found in green vegetables, berries and citrus fruits, helps prevent infection, enhances immunology and can help prevent cancer. A lack of Vitamin C can cause anemia, bleeding gums, muscle degeneration and blood clots. A deficiency in Vitamin D affects the bones, heart, kidneys and the thyroid gland. Vitamin D also enhances the immune system.

A deficiency may cause an enlargement of the prostate gland, gastrointestinal disease, impotency and decreased circulation. Vitamin E helps prevent cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Vitamin K plays an important role in the formation of bones and blood clotting. A lack of Vitamin K leads to a low platelet count and poor blood clotting.
Folic acid is found in beans, beef, barley and chicken, amongst others. A deficiency of folic acid causes depression, anxiety and birth defects in pregnant women.
Vitamin deficiency can treated by recommending dietary regulations, oral supplements, or by injections. Oral supplements are useful for those unable to consume food rich in vitamins. Injections are useful for persons with diseases that prevent absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

Vitamin A and Deficiency
Vitamin A is known as Retinol. It’s a fat-soluble vitamin. Your body requires an adequate amount of Vitamin A for healthy vision, bone growth, immune functions, and reproduction. In addition, Vitamin A promotes the development and maintenance of a healthy overall appearance. A person’s skin and hair appear healthier when the recommended intake of Vitamin A is met on a daily basis.

Do you know how to get enough Vitamin A? Some reliable food sources where Vitamin A can be found are: spinach, sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, tomatoes, broccoli, peas, bell peppers, turnips, peaches, cantaloupe, papaya, mango, oatmeal, milk, liver, and eggs. As you can see, Vitamin A is very friendly to the Vegetarian and Vegan diet.
Persons over the age of nineteen should watch their daily diets and Vitamin A intake. It’s suggested that males over the age of nineteen consume meals which from which they will obtain 900 micrograms of Vitamin A on a daily basis. Through research and surveys, statistics show that most North Americans do not suffer from Vitamin A deficiency. Excess alcohol depletes Vitamin A in your body.

Nevertheless, there are millions (if not billions) of people that suffer from Vitamin A deficiency on a global level. For instance, when you examine developing countries with malnourished citizens, Vitamin A deficiencies can be observed. Vitamin A is required for proper immune functions. Without a proper intake, a person’s body can not fight infections properly. Hence, many children die each year from infections throughout developing countries. Studies also link vitamin A deficient individuals with Pneumonia. When deficient, the cells that line the lungs lose their ability to remove disease causing microorganisms.

Unfortunately, Vitamin A deficiency can have life-altering or life-threatening effects. According to the World Health Organization: “An estimated 250,000 to 500,000 vitamin A-deficient children become blind every year, half of them dying within 12 months of losing their sight.” These tragic consequences require sustainable solutions.
Those who feel that they are lacking Vitamin A in their diets should talk to their family physician about a scheduled diet or Vitamin A supplements.