Food Supplementation

Nowadays many people have concerns, often unwarranted, about the use of food supplements. In general, food supplements have been proen safe by repititive testing all over the world although it is generally acknowledged that it is difficult to set a "recommended daily allowance", and for all nutritionists to agree on a recommended daily intake of any specific nutrient which is considered to be "safe".

Of all the nutrients, there are only a very few that really need some restriction knowledge. These include the fat-soluble vitamins (A and D) which dissolve in fat and can be stored in the body, as opposed to water-soluble vitamins (e.g. the B group and Vitamin C) which dissolve in water and cannot be stored by the body. Thus excessive intakes of these vitamins are excreted harmlessly from the body.

Vitamin A

This should not be taken in high doses, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy as it has anti-angiogenic properties which might lead to birth defects. On the other hand, a deficiency of Vitamin A during pregnancy might, in some circumstances, lead to birth defects and other problems.

Vitamin D

Excessive intakes of Vitamin D (10.000 IU daily) can cause hyper-calcemia of soft tissues leading to arteriosclerosis. Vitamin D is toxic if taken in excess. However, we need an adequate supply for the maintenance of healthy bones. Some research studies have concluded that Vitamin D can help in the prevention of several forms of cancer.

Moderation

It should be obvious that moderation is a good pracxtice in all things in life, including supplementation. Occasional use of high dosages have not been shown to be harmful and may have an almost miraculous benefit for some people under the proper guidance of a nutritionist who can be on the look-out for any untoward effect.

Vitamins and minerals are classed as micro-nutrients because we only need a small amount of them in our daily diet, as opposed to macro-nutrients such as protein and carbohydrate. Vitamins and minderals are measured in units known as micrograms and milligrams.

Vitamin Deficiency Signs

Vitamin A

• Do you catch a cold easily?
• Do you have a predisposition to infections of the throat and lungs?
• Do you have frequent infections?
• Do you have frequent infections of the bladder or urinary tract?
• Do you suffer from sinusitis?
• Do you often have abcesses in the ears?
• Do you see porrly in dim light?
• Do you have rough, dry, scaly skin?
• Do your eyelids become swollen and pus laden
• Female: Difficulty in getting pregnant?
• Female: Have you had a spontaneous abortion?

Vitamin D

• Do you have poor bone development?
• Have you had rickets?
• Do you have osteomalacia (soft bones)?
• Do you have arthritis?
• Do you have abnormal tooth cavities?

Vitamin E

• Female: Have you ever had any spontaneous abortions, uterine degeneration or sterility?
• Male: Do you suffer from angina pains?
• Have you had a heart attack?

Vitamin C

• Do you have little pink spots on your skin?
• Do you have ruptured blood vessels in either eye?
• Have you have inflamed gums?
• Is your hair falling our abnormally?
• Do your gums bleed when you bruth your teeth?
• Do you have cartilage problems?
• Do you have cataracts?
• Do you have excess oil on the skin near the fold of the nose?
• In children, restlessness and irritability?
• Do you have joint pains?

Vitamin B-1

• Do you have heart palpitations?
• Do you have an enlarged heart?
• Do you have a diastolic blood pressure over 90?
• Do you hurt all over, but can't pinpoint an area?
• Have you lost your elbow/or knee reflex?
• Do you have muscular weakness?
• Do you have vague fears or feelings of persecution?
• Are you excessively fatigued?
• Have you lost your appetite?
• Do you suffer frim forgetful-ness?

Vitamin B2

• Do you have cracks and sores in the corner of the mouth?
• Do you have a red-purple shiny tongue?
• Do you have a sensation of sand on the inside of the eyelids?
• Are the whites of your eyes bloodshot?
• Are your eyes sensitive to bright light?
• Do your eyes get easily tired, do they burn and itch?
• Do you have an abnormal number of cavities?

Green lefy vegetables, carrots and apricots are sources of Vitamin A