Posts Tagged ‘Digestive Tract’

The Difference Between Liquid Vitamins and Chewable Vitamins

December 6th, 2009

Nearly 50% of Americans residing in the United States use some type of vitamin or vitamin supplement ever day. Even though they may take vitamins, most are unaware of the fact that nearly 90% of the nutrients and minerals found in the vitamin isn’t properly absorbed by the body, which means they are virtually watered down and most of their benefits proven to be not effective.

Almost all individuals who take vitamins use the pill form. Pills were once thought of to be the best, simply because they were the only vitamin sources. These days, liquid vitamins are much more effective, and people are starting to realize it. Although many use pills or chewable vitamins, they aren’t getting near the benefit they think they are.

Vitamins and supplements are very popular, especially for those who have active lifestyles and find it difficult to consume the necessary vitamins and minerals they need from the proper meals. Therefore, those with busy lifestyles turn to vitamins and supplements to give their bodies what it needs to carry out day to day activities. Even though you should never replace food with vitamins, vitamins can help you to get the nutrients and minerals you need on a daily basis.

The main reason why liquid vitamins are more effective than pills and tablets is due to the nature of their liquid base. With the vitamins being liquid, they are easier for the body to digest and easily absorbed into the digestive tract as well. Chewable tablets and pills will pass through the body in hard form, making them hard to digest. Liquid is always digested when it passes through, so it will go through your body quicker and take effect faster.

Due to the body having to work less to break down and absorb liquid vitamins, they will pass through the body much faster. The nutrients and minerals contained in liquid vitamins will reach vital areas faster through the bloodstream, and they are easier to use by the most important organs in your body that need them the most. Liquid is also easy to swallow as well, as you can add the liquid vitamin to your favorite juice or just take it right out of the bottle if you prefer.

With pills or chewable vitamins, the majority of the nutrients and minerals that are contained in the vitamins aren’t normally broken down in the digestive system. With these types of vitamins being in hard form, they are harder for the body to pass at the most crucial moments, where the body needs to have nutrients and minerals. Unless you completely chew up the vitamin, it can stay in hard form until it passes through when you go to the bathroom. If this happens, you are normally just wasting the vitamin as it doesn’t have a chance to get into the bloodstream.

Liquid vitamins have proven themselves to be the best way to get the minerals and nutrients your body needs. As more and more people discover the benefits of liquid vitamins and how easy they are to digest, they make the switch. Liquid is far superior to tablets and pills, simply because it tastes better, it’s easier to digest, and it travels through the body faster. You can find many different flavors and types of vitamin supplements at your local nutrition store, or get online and order what you need there. Either way you go – you’ll find liquid vitamins to be the ideal way to get the nutrients you need for you body on a daily basis.




By: Jake Saab

Vitamin B2 Benefits

September 28th, 2009

Vitamin B2, also known as Riboflavin is a water soluble vitamin. It helps to regulate red blood cells growth and helps to maintain healthy eyes and skin. B2 maintains a strong immune system with added protection from free radicals. The vitamin is necessary for the production of flavin mononucleotide and for flavin adenine denucleotide. Riboflavin is essential for the proper formation of red blood cells and hence helps produce anti bodies. It is also required to maintain the mucous membranes that are located throughout the digestive tract.

Vitamin B2 also plays an important role in maintaining muscle tone along the lining of the digestive tract, and promoting the physical condition of the nervous system, skin, hair, eyes, mouth, and liver. Riboflavin is an important nutrient in the prevention of headache and some visual disturbances, particularly cataracts. The best source of B2 is milk. In order to get enough to meet the recommended daily allowance, one would have to drink at least one quart of milk daily. Riboflavin is also found in meat and fish, as well as some fruits and vegetables, especially dark green vegetables.

Milk, eggs and dairy products are excellent sources of Vitamin B2. Most people who have a nutritionally well balanced diet possess sufficient quantities of vitamin B2 as it is found in most plant and animal tissues. Green leafy vegetables, broccoli and asparagus are also good sources of B2 as are nuts, legumes, mushrooms, fruits, fish and whole grains and cereals.

Deficiency of riboflavin or ariboflavinonis is widespread in India particularly in populations where rice is the staple. The most common lesion associated with riboflavin deficiency is angular stomatitis, which occurs frequently is malnourished children and its prevalence is used as an index of the state of nutrition of groups of children.

There are thought to be low levels of this vitamin in most people’s diets, however there are plenty of good sources available. It is very often added to foods such as cereals and fruit drinks to enrich them. It is also used in many multivitamins. Naturally, if you have a good diet that contains most of the essential food group’s in the right proportions, then you should be getting enough Vitamin B2.

This vitamin can be sourced from a variety of foods. In fact you probably consume more vitamin B2 than you realize. Milk is one of the best sources of riboflavin but other dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt also contain good levels. Therefore, if you don’t think you are consuming enough of this vitamin try adding some dairy to your diet. Riboflavin is needed to form hair, skin and nails, and for good vision. Riboflavin has antioxidant qualities and boosts your immune system by helping to form antibodies, blood proteins that seek out and destroy foreign substances. A lack of riboflavin can stop vitamin B6 from working.




By: Kamen Loze

Vitamin B2 Benefits, Deficiency, Sources and Storage

September 20th, 2009

Vitamin B2, also called riboflavin, is a water-soluble B vitamin. Vitamin B2 was first noticed in 1879 as a green pigment found in milk. It is not stored in the human body for any period, and it is therefore important to include a regular dietary source of this vitamin.

Benefits of Vitamin B2:

* Riboflavin plays an important role in certain metabolic reactions of the body, particularly the conversion of carbohydrates (into sugar) and amino acids, which is burned to produce fuel necessary to carry out various activities.

* Vitamin B2 also plays an important role in maintaining muscle tone along the lining of the digestive tract, and promoting the physical condition of the nervous system, skin, hair, eyes, mouth, and liver.

* Riboflavin is an important nutrient in the prevention of headache and some visual disturbances, particularly cataracts.

* It also helps keep mucous membranes (such as those lining the mouth) healthy.

* Needed to process amino acids and fats, activate Vitamin B6 and folic acid,

* Essential for normal tissue respiration.

* B2 is an excellent antioxidant, and works by neutralizing damaging particles in the body (free radicals). These particles, which occur naturally in the body, not only damage cell membranes, but also intermingle with genetic material, and contribute to the development of a number of serious illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. Riboflavin has the potential to neutralize free radicals, and may reduce or even help prevent some of the harm.

* In the treatment of anaemia, adding Vitamin B2 to iron supplements has shown to increase its effectiveness.

Deficiency of Vitamin B2 –

Unlike other B vitamins, riboflavin is not found in many dietary sources. Riboflavin deficiency is medically termed as pellagra. The most common cause of riboflavin deficiency is dietary insufficiency, which occurs in those who do not consume rich dietary sources of the vitamin.

Symptoms of riboflavin deficiency include:

« fatigue,

« stunted growth,

« sensitivity to light,

« digestive problems,

« cracks around the corners of the mouth,

« eye tiredness

« dull or oily hair, an oily skin, premature wrinkles on the face and arms, and split nails.

« malfunctioning of the adrenal glands.

« soreness of the lips, mouth and tongue.

« the tongue may turn magenta (glossitis),

« seborrheic dermatitis (particularly affecting the scrotum, around the nose and in the area between

the nose and the lips).

« conjunctivitis and watering of eyes

« anaemia

Sources of Vitamin B2 –

The best dietary sources of riboflavin include yeast, almonds, organ meats such as liver, whole grains, wheat germ, leafy green vegetables, mushroom, oily fish, soyabeans, dairy products such as milk and yogurt, eggs, and spinach.

Flours and breakfast cereals are often fortified with riboflavin.

Extra doses of this vitamin might be required if a person is a regular alcoholic, dependent on antibiotics, birth control pills or doing some strenuous exercise.

If a person is under a lot of stress or on a counted-calorie diet, vitamin B2 is also of importance.

Who is likely to be deficient?

Vitamin B2 deficiency exclusively is not quite common. Deficiency of the vitamin can occur in the elderly subsisting mostly on tea, coffee, bread, biscuits. Riboflavin deficiency also occurs in those with chronic liver disease, chronic alcoholics.

It usually occurs in association with deficiencies of other B vitamins in mostly those people who have a protein and calorie deficiency. Chronic disorders, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes mellitus increase the risk of Vitamin B2 deficiency.

Also, the deficiency may be more likely in people with cataracts, chronic fatigue syndrome, or sickle cell anaemia.

What is the recommended dosage?

The ideal level of intake is not really known.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is about 1.1 milligrams of riboflavin daily for women and men should have 1.7 milligrams daily. The amounts found in many multivitamin supplements (20–25 mg) is sufficient for most people.

Women who are pregnant, require an additional 0.3 mg per day and lactating mothers require an additional 0.5 mg per day.

Absorption of Vitamin B2 is best when it is taken with meals.

Riboflavin in excess does not appear to cause any serious side effect. Possible reactions to very high doses may include itching, numbness, burning or prickling sensations, and sensitivity to light. A normal yellow discolouration of the urine is seen with an increased intake of vitamin B2 – but this is quite normal and harmless.

Storage of Vitamin B2 –

While riboflavin is not destroyed by heat, it can be lost in water when foods are boiled or soaked. Riboflavin is destroyed by light; therefore, items should be stored away from light to protect their riboflavin content.

If you want to get the maximum B2 vitamin possible from food, refrigerate fresh fruits and veggies and keep milk and grains away from strong light. Vitamins> are easily destroyed and washed out during cooking of food at high temperatures. If taking vitamin B2 supplements, store them at room temperature in a dry place that is free from moisture.




By: Tom alter