Vitamin A For Health And Beauty

Vitamin A acts as an antioxidant that helps the cells to fight off diseases such as cancer, heart disease and stroke. It lowers cholesterol levels and slows down the ageing process.

Used as a crème vitamin A reduces fine lines in skin and helps fade age spots. It also helps skin disorders such as acne.

This vitamin prevents night blindness and other eye problems. It enhances immunity and is needed for skin and mucous membranes. It is also an aid in fat storage and protects against colds, flu and infections of the kidneys, lungs, bladder and mucous membranes. Protein can not be utilised by the body without vitamin A.

Broccoli is a good source for vitamin A. Photo by lockstockb, www.sxc.hu.

Vitamin A deficiencies:
- Dry hair and/or skin;
- Dryness of conjunctiva and cornea;
- Poor growth and/or night blindness;
- Abscesses in the ears;
- Insomnia;
- Fatigue;
- Reproductive difficulties;
- Sinusitis;
- Pneumonia;
- Frequent colds;
- Skin disorders;
- Weight loss.

Sources of vitamin A:
- liver (beef, pork, chicken, turkey, fish) (21649 μg/IU 433%);
- sweet potato (20870 μg/IU 417%);
- carrot (16705 μg/IU 334%);
- broccoli leaf (800 μg 89%);
- kale (681 μg 76%);
- butter (684 μg 76%);
- spinach (469 μg 52%);
- leafy vegetables;
- pumpkin (369 μg 41%);
- collard greens (333 μg 37%);
- cantaloupe melon (169 μg 19%);
- egg (140 μg 16%);
- apricot (96 μg 11%);
- papaya (55 μg 6%);
- mango (38 μg 4%);
- pea (38 μg 4%);
- broccoli (31 μg 3%);
- winter squash.

Apricots contains vitamin A. Photo by el800cao, www.sxc.hu.

Sources: G&G newsletter; Wikipedia.org.

Vitamin D research into protecting against Swine Flu

Vitamin D has been making headlines recently with a host of benefits from helping to slow ageing, lowering cancer risk, dementia prevention and now tests are underway to see if may also help fight Swine Flu.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has revealed it will be conducting test to check the blood levels of vitamin D of those contracting the ailments of Swine Flu.

An article published in the Toronto Globe and Mail reported that the Public Health Agency of Canada will measure the levels of vitamin D in the blood of H1N1 patients and compare the levels with those of uninfected people.

"A finding of a link to the vitamin would mean that people could reduce the odds of being harmed by the new flu bug by simply popping a low-cost supplement"

"Scientists have long been wondering about a possible connection between vitamin D and influenza because of the striking observations in both the northern and southern hemispheres that flu is mostly a wintertime ailment.".

Photo by mrdisaster, www.sxc.hu

What the body does with Vitamin D:
Vitamin D is required for the absorption and utilisation of Calcium and Phosphorous. It is important for the normal growth of teeth and bones. It is a fat-soluble vitamin and has properties of both vitamin and hormone. In the treatment and prevention of colon and breast cancer, hypocalcemia, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis this vitamin is very important and is also necessary for normal blood clotting and thyroid function.


Vitamin D2 and D3:
D2, or Ergocalciferol unlike D3 (Cholecalciferol) is not produced by the body. It is found in plants in tiny quantity and can be taken as a supplement.
D3 (Cholecalciferol) is the natural source of vitamin D. It is the substance made in large quantities in the skin when sunlight strikes bare skin. It is thought to be the most potent form of vitamin D between the two.
Unfortunately, where the sun is scarce (most notably in the north of England and Scotland) people tend to have major vitamin D deficiencies. This is where supplements can help.

Vitamin D deficiencies:
- Loss of Appetite
- Burning sensation in throat & mouth
- Diarrhoea
- Insomnia
- Visual problems
- Weight Loss

Sources of vitamin D:
- Fish liver oils
- Sardines
- Salmon
- Fatty saltwater fish
- Dairy products and butter
- Egg yokes
- Cod liver oil
- Sweet potatoes and vegetable oils
- Sunlight