Vitamin C is a water-soluble, antioxidant vitamin. It is important for the formation of collagen - a protein that gives structure to bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels. Vitamin C also aids in the absorption of iron, and helps maintain capillaries, bones, and teeth.

Vitamin C is also known as, ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid, the antiscorbutic vitamin, L-xyloascorbic acid. This vitamin is considered a cure-all for many diseases and problems - from cancer to common cold.

Yet, the interesting fact is that this miracle vitamin cannot be manufactured by the body, and needs to be ingested.

Benefits of Vitamin C -

« Vitamin C serves a predominantly protective role in the body.

« Vitamin C is required in the synthesis of collagen in connective tissue, steroid hormones, conversion of cholesterol to bile acids.

« It is a great antioxidant and helps protect the body against pollutants.

« It assists in the prevention of blood clotting and bruising, and strengthening the walls of the capillaries.

« As vitamin C is a biological reducing agent, it is also helps prevention of degenerative diseases - such as cataracts, certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases.

« Ascorbic acid promotes healthy cell development, proper calcium absorption, normal tissue growth and repair - such as healing of wounds and burns.

« Vitamin C is needed for healthy gums, to help protect against infection, helps reduce cholesterol level, high blood pressure and prevents arteriosclerosis.

What does deficiency of vitamin C lead to?

When there is a deficiency of vitamin C in the body, various problems can arise.

A shortage of vitamin C may result in hemorrhages under the skin and a tendency to bruise easily, poor wound healing, weakness, poor digestion, bleeding gums and loose teeth.

Low levels of vitamin C have been associated with a variety of conditions including hypertension, gallbladder disease, stroke, some cancers.

Edema (water retention) also takes place due to a shortage of vitamin C, along with painful joints, bronchial infection and colds.

Scurvy is the only disease that is treated with vitamin C.

Dosage

During the therapeutic use of this vitamin, the dosage is usually increased significantly, but the toxicity level must be kept in mind.

The average (Recommended dietary allowance) RDA is 60-80mg, per day.

For adolescents it is 80 mg, 75 mg for adults, 100 mg during pregnancy and 150 mg during lactation.

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin C is 60 to 90 milligrams per day. Men should consume more vitamin C than women and individuals who smoke cigarettes are encouraged to consume 35 more mg of vitamin C than average adults. This is because smoking depletes vitamin C levels in the body and is a catalyst for biological processes, which damage cells.

What are deficiency symptoms of vitamin C in a person?

Symptoms of scurvy, the vitamin C deficiency disease include –

« Bleeding gums (gingivitis) and skin discolouration due to ruptured blood vessels.

« Poor wound healing.

« Weak immune function, including vulnerability to cold and other infections.

Sources of vitamin C -

Eating a variety of foods that contain vitamin C is the best way to get the required amount each day.

Healthy individuals who eat a balanced diet do not need Vitamin C supplements.

Since the body does not produce vitamin C, it must be obtained from fruits and vegetables. Some excellent sources of vitamin C are oranges, olives, guava, green peppers, watermelon, papaya, strawberry, kiwi fruit, mango, broccoli, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, and citrus juices or juices fortified with Vitamin C.

Amla or the Indian gooseberry is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C, whether fresh or the dried, powdered form.

Raw and cooked leafy greens (turnip, spinach), red and green peppers, fresh tomatoes, potatoes, pineapple are also rich sources of Vitamin C.

Vitamin C is sensitive to light, air, and heat, so it is best to eat fruits and vegetables raw, or minimally cooked in order to retain their full vitamin C content.

How to prepare and store foods to retain vitamin C -

Vitamin C can be lost from foods during preparation, cooking, or storage. To prevent loss of vitamin C:

· Serve fruits and vegetables raw whenever possible.

· Steam, boil, or cook foods in a very small amount of water, or microwave them for the shortest time possible.

· Cook potatoes in their skins. Be sure to wash off the dirt on the outside of the potato.

· Refrigerate prepared juices and store them for no more than two to three days.

· Store cut and raw fruits, vegetables in an airtight container and refrigerate - do not soak or store in water. Vitamin C gets dissolved in the water.

Consumption of vitamin C rich foods in their fresh, raw form is the best way to maximize vitamin C intake.

Tom alter
http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/benefits-of-vitamin-c-sources-and-deficiency-104083.html

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There were hardly any drugs for the treatment of this condition. It was only in the latter half of the last century, that medical science made rapid advancements, and today drugs allow a hypertensive patient to live a near normal life are available.

The first real drug to treat hypertension was given to the rest of the world by India’s indigenous system of medicine, Ayurveda. The roots of the plant ’sarpgandha’ (rauwolfia serpentina) formed a part of the repitoire used for treating various ailments. Indian researchers of the system discovered the blood pressure lowering properties of these roots. Subsequently in 1953, Swiss scientists isolated the pure chemical substance, and named it reserpine (SERPASIL), which remained in the forefront for the treatment of high blood pressure for almost two decades. Now, it has been replaced by more modern drugs and is rarely used.

In spite of these recent advances, it is a pity that the treatment of hypertension remains palliative rather than curative. There is a difference between anti-hypertensives and other drugs like antibiotics. The latter drugs destroy micro-organisms and remove the cause of the infective state, enabling a complete cure; while the former, hardly ever cure the disease. They only lower the blood pressure without removing the cause. Nevertheless, these drugs are important, as they are all at we have. They increase the lifespan and quality of life of patients of high blood pressure.

Since all of us fear high blood pressure, let us first examine what blood pressure (BP)actually is and why blood should need a pressure at all.

Nimodipine (Nimodip 30 mg)

It increases brain blood flow, therefore, it is commonly used in the treatment of stroke. Nicardipine, nitrendipine, lercanidipine and lecidipine are some other drugs.

Advantages: All CCBs are useful in angina, IHD and hypertension. Except diltiazem and verapamil all can be combined with beta-blockers (Atenolol commonly). They are also usefull in migraine and peripheral vascular disease. Kidney blood flow is well maintained and nifedipine may increase urine output. The antihypertensive effect is not blunted by anti-intlamatory pain relievers which is its unique feature.

Adverse effects and Precautions: As a group CCBs can cause sensation of vomiting, constipation, swelling over feet and hypotension. Verapamil and diltiazem precipitate congestive heart failure and heart blocks. Verapamil and diltiazem are never used with betablockers. They are not safe in pregnancy. These should be used with caution in angina to avoid alarming rise in pulse rate. These drugs do not significantly alter blood lipids and may have some bronchodilatory effects, thus are very useful in asthmatic hypertensives. In this aspect they are better than nonselective beta-blockers.

Alien
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/drugs-and-medicine-for-treatment-of-high-blood-pressure-441274.html

Blood pressure, which is a silent killer, is matter of concern and there are several drugs available, which can be used to combat blood pressure. One such drug is Toprol.

Read below to know more about how to use it effectively:

Toprol (or Toprol-XL) belongs to the group of drugs known as beta-blockers. These drugs directly affect the heart and blood circulation. Angina (chest pain) and hypertension (high blood pressure) are the two ailments that are treated with Toprol. It is also used to treat and prevent cardiac arrests.

Before taking this medication you should inform your doctor, if you have certain health problems like:

Asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or other respiratory problems, Diabetes, low blood pressure, any heart problem like heart block, sick sinus syndrome, congestive heart failure, Depression, Liver, kidney problems, Thyroid disorder, Myasthenia gravis, pheochromocytoma, and Raynaud’s syndrome. Also toprol should be avoided during pregnancy, as it can harm the unborn baby. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant or contemplating pregnancy. Toprol can also pass onto breast milk, so avoid it if you are lactating.

How to take this medicine.

• Drink at least one full glass of water with every dose

• Take the daily dose at the same time

• Extended release tablets should not be crushed, chewed, or broken. Swallow the pill intact because it is made specially to release the medicine slowly over a long period of time.

• Try and not to skip a dose. Even more important, do not stop taking this medicine without your doctor’s advise.

• Blood pressure should be checked regularly to make sure that Toprol is actually doing its job. Do not miss, to visit your doctor as advised.

• If you happen to need any type of surgery then inform the surgeon about taking Toprol, as it might be necessary to stop taking it for a short while.

• Toprol is usually combined with diet control and exercise programs when treating hypertension. So follow the other regimen as diligently as you take the medication.

• Hypertension has no noticeable symptoms. If you feel well then do not stop taking Toprol until your doctor says so. Unfortunately, some people need to keep taking blood pressure medication for their entire lives. However, always take it exactly as prescribed by the doctor.

Toprol should be stored at room temperature, in a cool and dry place. It is highly important that the use of Toprol is not cut off abruptly, without consulting a doctor first. A sudden stoppage can result in deterioration of the existing condition.

Do not drive or operate heavy machinery after taking Toprol as it can affect thinking and judgment. Alcohol is to be strictly avoided, when taking Toprol.

Since hypertension does not really have any symptoms that patients can determine on their own, it is very likely that during the course of the medication, a patient might feel so good, that the temptation to discontinue with the medication, will be strong. It is always suggested that, before making such important decisions, you consult your doctor.

Disclaimer – The information presented here should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk to a qualified professional for more information about Toprol.

Heather Colman
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/using-toprol-to-fight-high-blood-pressure-53717.html

National press has recently taken an interest in the benefits of folic acid, with coverage increasing throughout the media. Folic acid, a B vitamin and other folates helps the body to form red blood cells and aids in the formation of genetic material within every body cell. Folic acid also helps to prevent birth defects. Proponents of dietary supplements have encouraged the use of folic acid by women who are of the child-bearing age for a long time.

The public is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of this nutrient to prenatal development. In a survey done by U.S. Health and Human Services in 2007, about 40% of all women surveyed reported the daily consumption of a supplement that contained folic acid, while about 42% of women surveyed reported that folic acid is the most important vitamin for women of child-bearing age. This study also found that awareness of the benefits differed by age group. Younger women were the least likely to know about the benefits of folic acid, and therefore, were the least likely to consume folic acid. These younger women were also more likely to hear about folic acid from a magazine or newspaper or school or college, rather than their health-care provider.

On the contrary, the women who aged 25-34 and 35-47 were much more likely to hear about folic acid and its benefits from their health-care provider. Because of these results, the U.S. Health and Human Services considers it vital to increase young person education and awareness. Folic acid has long been known to help prevent birth defects. Recent research on folic acid shows that it may also help in preventing premature births, boost baby weights, prevent preeclampsia, reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and even cut male smokers’ stroke risk.

Folate is determined from the term “foliage,” and is a member of the B vitamin family where it can be primarily found in dark leafy green vegetables, legumes, citrus fruits, beets, meat, and wheat germ. Folic acid does not occur in nature and cannot be found in unfortified foods. It is not an active form of the B-vitamin. However, it is the most common form of folate used is supplements and in fortified food products due to the fact that it is highly bioavailable and chemically stable. It is also readily reduced to tetrahydrofolate, which is the active coenzyme form of folate. One study, comparing folic acid from orange juice and folic acid from a supplement showed that the supplement had a better absorption rate than the fortified orange juice.

Although folic acid is not generally associated with side effects, there have been some clinical reports that high level of folic acid can mask a deficiency of vitamin B-12. However, a deficiency of B-12 is very uncommon and it has been determined that only amounts about 3000 - 4000 micrograms per day of folic acid for extended periods of time may have this masking effect, which can in turn be eliminated by supplementing with a few micrograms of B-12. For more information about folic acid and its benefits to your body, contact your local health food retailer.

Darrell Miller

Every woman must hope that her pregnancy will be safe and healthy. However sometimes you cannot predict serious pregnancy complications that might happen. And for a woman who suffer from severe asthma, it is likely that the risk of developing pregnancy compliactions will be increased. Learning the relation between uncontrolled asthma and serious pregnancy compliactions will be beneficial for you and your couple, so that both of you can take any preventive actions to ensure your pregnancy health and safe until the time came for laboring.

Complications in pregnancy could be divided into minor and serious compliactions. Minor complications such as back pain, anemia or uncontrolled urinary are not dangerous. Almost every woman experiences at least one of those problems, and most of them can be reduced or even cured. However there are also some problems that must be treated as serious pregnancy complications, because they can endanger mother or fetus or both of them. Pre-term labor, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy (fertilised egg embedded outside the womb), and pre-eclampsia (pregnancy induced hypertension) are some of serious pregnancy complications that you must be aware of.

One of the conditions that can induce serious complications in pregnancy is asthma. When the mother is in a lack of air condition due to asthma attack, it may prevent the baby from getting enough oxygen, which can put the baby in a great danger. These are several serious pregnancy complications that might be induced by asthma,

Pre-eclampsia

In a pre-eclampsia complication, the mother experiences an increasing blood pressure, accompanied with fluid retention and leaking of protein into her urine. These conditions might increase the mother’s risk of damaging her eyes, brain, liver, and kidneys, which can also bring both mother and the baby to death.

Pre-term labor and small birth are also included in the possible serious pregnancy complications induced by asthma.

How to Avoid Serious Pregnancy Complications Caused By Asthma

When you have a pregnancy plan, you need to controll your asthma. Either by avoiding food or substance that can cause allergies, or by enhancing a clean and healthy living environment (wash your bedding, reduce the humidity in the house, avoid pollen, etc).

Taking supplements contain folic acid (usually contained in pre-natal vitamins) will ensure the baby’s health, and reduce the risk of neural tube defect (birth defect condition).

Always consult frequently to both your obstetrical provider and asthma specialist.

Perform an ultrasound test to monitor your baby’s heart rate, first during the first trimester, and repeated later if slow growth is suspected to the baby.

By keeping your asthma undercontrolled before and during the pregnancy, you can ensure both your and the baby’s safe, free from serious pregnancy complications, and have a wonderful delivery when the time come!

sarie fatul

Pregnancy for women is not just a happening, but a wonderful feeling of attaining motherhood. It is a stage in women’s life when they have to take care of not only themselves, but also of the charming guest blooming in their womb. During this stage women need specific diet that are rich in protein, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins etc. to fulfill the requirement of their body and growing fetus. Nutritional requirement increases at this time as women’s body has to provide nutrition for fetus as well.

Therefore, it is of utmost importance to augment the essential nutrients in the initial months of pregnancy, in order to further the prospects of delivering a baby, in the pink of health. According to studies carried out, sticking to a balanced diet plan for pregnancy can enable pregnant moms to:

Lower stress levels

More competently handle daily affairs

Provide emotional support to those who need it

Provide a serene setting for the developing fetus

Diet during pregnancy should be nutritional and filled with all the necessary components of balance diet. A pregnant lady is the only source of nutrition for her child who is in the form of fetus and is growing day by day. Health of fetus entirely depends upon the diet taken by the pregnant lady; her food intake will decide the health of the fetus. Intake of imbalance diet may result in various disorders like mood swings, constipation, leg cramps, pre-eclampsia, anemia, fatigue etc. Whatever the mother eats has its implications on the health of the baby. Some researches have also proved that quality of diet not only affects the health of the fetus but also its mental strength.

Although there is no need for any extra calorie during the first trimester of pregnancy, but diet rich in calcium, vitamins, proteins etc can be of great advantage as it check spinal cord and grave neurological-brain disorders, therefore it is always advisable to take diet rich in Vitamins B6, B12, vitamin D, zinc, iron and folic acid. Nutritional supplements of fatty acids, minerals, proteins and carbohydrates are also important for the growth and development of the fetus. Pregnant lady’s nutritional plan should contain all these ingredients which have been discussed above.

Moreover, by taking home-cooked meals, you can arrange the food, stock up anything that is lacking, and generally manage things in an orderly fashion. Stock plenty of fresh fruits, ensure there are ample dairy products in the refrigerator, and ensure you consume your daily dose of folic acid supplements.

If you abide by a decent diet plan for pregnancy, you will lower your chances of experiencing problems and will delight in all the joyous moments. Sharing the wonderful thoughts and feelings with your family members helps lighten your load, lets you revel in your pregnancy, and enables you to anticipate eagerly the tiny pattering of feet.

herbalremedies

She’s delivered more than 1500 babies, but until recently she never had one to call her own. It only takes a moment to see that mommyhood agrees with this San Diego OB/GYN, Dr. Kim Goodwin. She describes life before baby like living in black and white. When her daughter came on the scene, life became Technicolor.

Dr. Goodwin is very special to me because she delivered my first son and helped me travel down the road of infertility and treatment to have children of my own. I talked with her on my Losing Weight After Baby podcast about life as a mom and doctor, along with what advice she’d have for patients if she had more time to talk.

Arlene: What was your pregnancy like?

Dr. Goodwin: I remember the first trimester I was so fatigued. It was all I could do to drive home, much less get up and go to the gym and work out. I had more sympathy for my patients who said, “I’m too tired to work out.” Particularly in the first trimester, you’re in a survival mode to get through the nausea and fatigue. Then in the third trimester I was having pre-term contractions, so I was not able to work out. That was very frustrating for me. No more going to the gym, no more taking the dog for a walk.

Arlene: Let’s say you have a patient who is 20 pounds overweight, living a sedentary lifestyle. Maybe she takes a walk or two each week. What would you say to her?

Dr. Goodwin: If she continues down that path, she’ll have hypertension and diabetes and even an early death in her future. I hate to say it like that, but it’s the truth. Our country as a whole is terribly overweight. We have an epidemic of heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension. The main problem is weight, but you don’t want to offend people by talking about it. Weight is such an emotional issue with a lot of baggage. If we can take the emotion out of it and talk about the medical condition, it would be much easier to discuss. If you look at it simply as a health risk, it is the biggest modifiable risk factor that people have. Their weight impacts everything.

According to Dr. Goodwin, if women can positively tweak their eating and exercise habits in their 20s and 30s, they will do themselves and their families a huge favor.

For more about losing weight and reducing your risk of disease, listen to podcast titled “The Doctor is In” with Dr. Kim Goodwin at my website Losing Weight After Baby.

Arlene Pellicane

As we mentioned in previous articles during the last stage of the menstrual cycle normally a layer of endometriosis lining in the inside of the uterus is expelled, known as menstruation blood but instead some of the endometriosis tissues grow somewhere in the body causing endometriosis. Endometriosis also reacts to hormonal signals of the monthly menstrual cycle, building up tissue, breaking it, and eliminating it through the menstrual period. Normally, women taking the oral contraceptive pill are required to intake of some vitamins as women in pregnancy state. In this article, we will discuss the relationship of oral contraceptive combination pills and vitamins.

Since women taking the pills have the pregnancy-like state. It influences a number of nutrients
1. Vitamin B2
Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, is an essential nutrient and plays a key role in energy production. It is is easily destroyed by light and heat. The good source of vitamin B2 is dark green leafy vegetables and lean meat. Vitamin B2 are necessary because the body’s ability to absorb riboflavin is reduced when taking birth control pills.

2. Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, is one of water-soluble B vitamins. It helps to in the release of energy and metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, proteins as well as functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin B3 deficiency may cause depression, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, loss of appetite, low blood sugar, muscular weakness. Intake of oral contraceptive pills have been shown to decrease availability of vitamin B3 in the body.

3. Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that exists in three major chemical forms: pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine. It helps to increase the amount of oxygen level in the blood that is vital for women taking the pill ( Low level of oxygen required the heart to work harder causing hypertension). Vitamin B6 deficiency causes depression, confusion, skin inflammation weaken immune system. Major sources of vitamin B6 include cereal grains, legumes and vegetables,etc. Woman who is on oral contracptive may decease the ability of her body’s absortion of vitamin B6 that is essential to manufacture its own vitamin B3.

4. Folic acid
Folic acid are forms of the water-soluble vitamin B9 and are also known vitamin M. It is essental for women taking the oral contraceptive pill, because folic acid deficiency interfere with vitamin B synthesis and utilization of the body.

5. Vitamin E
Intake of vitamin E is essential for women taking the pill because vitamin E helps to prevent blood clots that may happen to some women.

6. Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. Our body can not make our vitamin C itself. Therefore, we must obtain vitamin C through our diet. Study shows that taking vitamin C with oral contraceptive pill will increase estrogen absorption and stop spotting. You should stop taking the high dose of Vitamin C when the spotting stops.

I hope this information will help. If you need more information or insurance advices, please follow my article series of the above subject at my home page at:
http://medicaladvisorjournals.blogspot.com
http://lifeanddisabitityinsuranceunderwriter.blogspot.com/

Kyle J. Norton
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-health-articles/endometriosis-part-42-oral-contraceptive-pills-and-vitamins-695194.html

We all know how much of a chore it can be to try and get fit… But it doesnt have to be like that. By belly dancing for fitness, you can lose pounds and get firm fast, and you can have fun doing it as you dance to your favorite kinds of music - pop, hip hop, indie and more. You dont just exercise one part of your body when youre belly dancing. Your entire body gets a workout, from your neck down to your feet. Its a low-impact workout thats easy on the joints. Belly dancing is both stimulating and relaxing. Youll burn off stress while you also burn off calories! http://www.belly-baby-dvd.com

Duration : 1 min 1 sec

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