Living Well: Healthy Eating

Living Well: Supplements and Nutraceuticals

Vitamins For Acne: Which Vitamins Help Cure Acne?

Vitamin A (with carotenoids)

Vitamin A strengthens the skin’s protective tissue and prevents acne. It helps reduce sebum production. Vitamin A is essential for the maintaining and repairing tissue, of which the skin and mucous membranes are made of. Vitamin A is also a powerful antioxidant for getting rid of toxins. A deficiency in vitamin A can actually cause acne? To fight acne, take 10,000 IU? of Vitamin A everyday. However, if you are pregnant, do not take more than 5000 IU.

Vitamin B Complex

The B vitamins help to maintain healthy skin tone. They are also helpful in relieving anxiety and stress. Stress can be a major player in causing acne. The B vitamins should always be taken together. The vitamins in the B complex are Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin (Nicotinic Acid, Niacinamide), Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine and Cyanocobalamin. Each one of these vitamins has a specific role in promoting healthy skin, as well as overall health.

* Thiamine (Vitamin B1) acts as an antioxidant ridding your body of toxins. It enhances circulation and assists in proper digestion. Recommended dosage to fight acne: 100 mg 3 times daily.

* Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Riboflavin works together with Vitamin A to maintain and improve the mucous membranes in the digestive tract. It is also essential for healthy skin, hair and nails. Acne is a symptom of Riboflavin deficiency. Recommended dosage to fight acne: 100 mg 3 times daily.

* Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) is vital for healthy skin by improving circulation and helping your body with the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. A deficiency in Niacinamide will cause acne. To fight acne, take 200 mg 3 times daily.

* Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) is popular for reducing stress. It is needed for the adrenal glands to function properly. Recommended dosage to fight acne: 100 mg 3 times daily.

* Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) is important in the functioning of your immune system and your antibody production. A deficiency of vitamin B6 can result in acne. Recommended dosage to fight acne: 100 mg 3 times daily.

Vitamin C with bioflavonoids

Vitamin C is a super antioxidant vitamin? that is required for at least 300 of the body’s metabolic functions, including tissue growth and repair. Vitamin C protects against infection and enhances the immune system. Bioflavanoids, on the other hand, have an antibacterial effect. Recommended dosage to fight acne: 1000 to 1600 mg 3 times daily. Ask your doctor about the proper dosage if you have diabetes.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin that enhances healing and tissue repair. It prevents cell damage by inhibiting the oxidation of lipids (fats) and the formation of free radicals. To fight acne, take 400 IU daily.

Chromium

For acne, Chromium aids in reducing infections of the skin. To get the adequate amount of chromium in your diet, chromium should be taken in supplemental form called chromium picolinate or chromium polynicotinate. Chances are you are chromium deficient because the form of chromium in foods is not easily absorbed and is lost during processing; and high quantities of sugar in the diet cause a loss of chromium from the body. Recommended dosage to fight acne: 150 mcg per day.

Zinc

Zinc aids in tissue healing and helps prevent scarring. It helps prevent acne by regulating the oil glands. Zinc promotes a healthy immune system and the healing of wounds. It is also an antioxidant which helps to fight and prevent the formation of free radicals. Acne can be a sign of Zinc deficiency. To fight acne, take 25 to 30mg per day.

Source Naturals Vitamin D

Source Naturals Vitamin D-3 400IU 200Tabs Vitamin D is an important hormone precursor that supports immune response and helps regulate the health of at least 20 different tissues, including the nervous system and joints. It also plays an important role in regulating cell growth, insulin levels, and bone formation.

Ingredients: Vitamin D-3, microcrystalline cellulose and stearic acid.

Suggested Use: 1 tablet 2 to 3 times daily, following a meal. Do not exceed suggested use.

Warning: If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have hyperparathyroidism, or are taking any prescription medication, consult your physician before taking this product. Do not exceed a total of 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day from all sources, including multivitamins and fortified milk.

Vitamin K: Benefits and Side Effects

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important for blood clotting. Without vitamin K, our wounds would not heal. In some studies, vitamin has been found to maintain strong bones in elderly persons.

Foods high in vitamin K include cabbage, cauliflower, spinach and other green leafy vegetables. Cereals and soybeans contain high amounts of Vitamin K too. Vitamin K is also made by the bacteria lining the gastrointestinal tract.

It is very rare for people to lack in vitamin K, and it only happens when the body can’t properly absorb it from the intestinal tract. Vitamin K deficiency can also be caused by long-term treatment with antibiotics. You will know if you are deficient in Vitamin K if you are prone to bruising and bleeding.

How much Vitamin K do you need? Well, it depends on the person?s age, gender and physical condition (like pregnancy). The easiest way to get the Vitamin K you need is to eat more of the vegetables that contain vitamin K.

If you are taking any warfarin (a blood thinner), you should know this vital nutrient affects the way how that drug works. Ask your doctor how much vitamin K you should consume to avoid the affecting the performance or warfarin.

Vitamin D Deficiency: What Happens When You Lack Vitamin D?

Simply put, your body will seem like it is bursting at the seams when you lack Vitamin D. Studies indicate there is a link between Vitamin D deficiency and insulin problems, high blood pressure, diabetes risk, obesity, among other conditions.

The link between Vitamin D deficiency and pancreatic cells is evident in the fact that Vitamin D receptors are found on pancreatic cells that produce insulin. It is also known that people are more prone to hear attacks in winter, when people stay inside for the most part of the season and thus lower their Vitamin D levels, and that cancer patients have better chances of survival during summer, when Vitamin D levels in the body are at their peak.

Although we do not fully understand how Vitamin D works inside the body, the fact remains that we need to have adequate Vitamin D levels within our body. If your Vitamin D level is lower than 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D, then you have a Vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Death

In a study conducted on 13,331 adults in the United States, the people with the lowest Vitamin D levels had a 26% increase in death risk compared to the people with the highest levels of vitamin D. Researchers also believe that vitamin D deficiency is an independent risk factor for heart disease and should be considered with other risk factors like high blood pressure, family history, or weight. Vitamin D deficiency may also be a factor in the development of cancer as well.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Growing Old

It is a known fact that many older adults have Vitamin D deficiency, however, it is not known whether deficiency in Vitamin D is caused by the body itself (the body cannot produce Vitamin D anymore) or the behavior of seniors (they don?t go out as much in the sunlight). One research suggests that senior citizens who get out in the sun more often have the same Vitamin D levels as that of a young adult. It should be noted, however, that your body does not get Vitamin D from the sun itself. Rather, the sun?s rays only help your body absorb Vitamin D. The best sources of Vitamin D are natural foods like egg yolks.
Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms

Do you have Vitamin D deficiency? Here?s a checklist of Vitamin D deficiency symptoms:

* You experience muscle pain
* You have weak bones and fractures
* You have low energy and feel constant fatigue
* You have low immunity to diseases (you get sick often)
* You suffer from constant depression or mood swings
* You have irregular sleeping patterns

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