Nutrition – The Vitamins
By Ladislav P. Novak, Ph.D.
Courtesy John Eagle Honda, North Dallas LIVING WELL Magazine
When vitamins were discovered, people fell in love with them. Vitamins seemed to be the answer to an easy route to good health. Today, scientists are discovering the complexity of the interactions of vitamins in the body and in food. Scientific advances brought on understanding of the biological roles the vitamins play in maintaining health and preventing deficiency diseases.
People’s excitement is growing as research hints cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer may be linked with low intakes of vitamins. Research laboratories around the world are proposing new ideas about the relationship between vitamins and human health and disease. But, we still have to wait for an answer by learning more about this complex question whether vitamins have the power to cure deficiency diseases and possibly prevent chronic diseases as well.
People can easily come to believe that vitamins can cure almost any ailment. The media bombards us with never ending streams of overly simple claims for “miracle vitamins,” and the supplement business is a multi-billion dollar industry. For now, we can still say with certainty, the only disease a vitamin will cure is one caused by a deficiency of that vitamin.
A vitamin is an essential, non-caloric organic nutrient needed in very small amounts in the diet to help the processes by which other nutrients are digested, absorbed, metabolized or build into body structures.
Classes of Vitamins:
(a) Fat-soluble – Vitamin A, D, E, K occur together in foods such as fish oils and plant oils. They are carried with the fats, absorbed from the intestines and are not easily excreted. Instead, they are stored in the liver and fatty tissues. Toxicity in especially vitamins A, D, and K can reach toxic levels.
(b) Water soluble – Vitamins B complex and C are easily lost from foods by incorrect preparation (boiling). Also, they can easily be excreted via urine if excess is ingested. So, even though large pharmaceutical doses can reach toxic levels (taking supplements) you can have the “most expensive urine in town.”
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin and its most recognized functions are:
(a) Eyesight – Vitamin A is a part of the pigment rhodopsin that lies within the cells of the retina, which we need for light perception. Deficiency of vitamin A causes night blindness. Prolonged deficiency seems to accumulate a protein, keratin, which clouds the cornea. This keratinization progresses to xerosis (drying) of the eye can ultimately lead to total blindess-xerophtalmia.
(b) Epithelial tissues – (external skin and lining of the lungs, intestines, vagina, urinary tract, bladder) serve as barriers against infection from bacteria. Lack of vitamin A produces keratin, dry and hard surfaces of epithelial tissue vulnerable to infection, respiratory or vaginal infections.
(c) Prevention of certain cancers – Healthy skin and internal linings are able to interrupt the process by which cancers get started. Lack of vitamin A handicaps this defense. Skin, lung, bladder, and larynx cancers seem to be inhibited with adequate vitamin A.
(d) Bone growth – Vitamin A assists in remodeling of each old bone into a new, bigger version during growth. As parts of old bone are dismantled, new and rebuilt bone gains strength and quality.
(e) Vitamin A is also essential for reproduction of the stress response, metabolism, the nervous system, immunity and the making of blood. In short, vitamin A is needed everywhere.
Over supplementation of vitamin A in capsule form causes toxicity––hair loss, join pain, bone and muscle soreness, cessation of menstruation, nausea, diarrhea, enlargement of the liver and spleen in pregnancy, and birth defects.
Vitamin D helps to transport calcium and phosphorus (major minerals of bones) across the intestinal membrane into the blood permitting bone formation and maintenance. A deficiency in childhood care causes “rickets” (bowed legs, knock-knees, pigeon breasts, poor teeth). In adults a deficiency causes “osteomalacia” (softening of the bones).
There is danger, however. Vitamin D is the most toxic of all vitamins. Excess from pharmaceutical products can be dangerous or deadly. Read the label! E
Vitamin E can be oxidized, so it can serve as a body guard for other substances such as other fat-soluble vitamins. It protects polyunsaturated fats, lung membranes (high oxygen concentration), red blood cells (carry oxygen) and protects white blood cells that defend our body against disease. A deficiency is unknown in the USA only in conditions which cause malabsorption of fat-liver, gallbladder, pancreas as well as some heredity diseases. In some countries where deficiency of vitamin E occurs, fibrocystic breast disease, lumps in the breasts, or intermittent claudication, pain and cramping in the calves of walking occur.
Vitamin K is needed for synthesis of two proteins involved in blood clotting (prothrombin and fibrinogen). Wounds may bleed for a prolonged time in vitamin K deficiency and clotting time should be determined before surgery in some instances. Vitamin K can be administered sometimes to reduce bleeding in surgery. On the other hand, in heart patients where formation of clots may be enhanced, “dicumarol” is used, which interferes with the action of vitamin K.
B vitamins The B vitamins act as coenzymes-catalysts by speeding up chemical reactions inside the cells. Some help to generate energy while others help to make DNA, RNA, protein and new cells. Thus in a B vitamin deficiency, every cell is affected. Nausea, exhaustion, irritability, depression, forgetfulness, loss of appetite and weight, pain in muscles, immunity decreased, abnormal heart action, skin problems, teary and/or bloodshot eyes and other symptoms. Because cells need to be renewed, which depends on energy available, digestive tract and red blood cells suffer from vitamin B deficiencies.
Niacin-Nicotinic Acid is used as a coenzyme for energy metabolism-glucose. As a health problem, it appeared in the U.S. South and Southwest at the beginning of the 20th century due to a restricted diet of corn, salt pork, and molasses. Corn is deficient in niacin and therefore the clinical entity Pellagra (the disease of 4 Ds––dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, death) spread in the southern parts of the U.S.
Riboflavin combines with two proteins to form flavoproteins (enzymes needed for cellular metabolism––glucose). Deficiency is very rare and builds up over a period of years; mostly lips, mouth, and tongue are affected such as angular stomatitis (fissures at the corners of the mouth appear) or cheilosis (cracking and soreness of upper and lower lips occurs, tongue is bright red––fissures).
Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is needed for protein metabolism and fatty acids; formation of hemoglobin (carrying oxygen to the cells); formation of hormones needed for appropriate brain function. Deficiency causes depression, confusion, and convulsions, which affects muscles.
There are health consequences if consumed in high doses for several months, including nerve disorders (neuropathies). Sources of pyridoxine can be found in meats and in meat alternatives, whole grain cereals, soybean, wheat germ, peanuts, milk and milk products, as well as vegetables and fruits in lesser amounts.
Cobalamine (vitamin B12) is needed for maturation of red blood cells in the bone marrow for the synthesis of new proteins and metabolism of glucose.
The absorption and storage of vitamin B12 from animal sources attached to intrinsic factor produced by the stomach.
Vitamin B12 consumed from animal sources is attached to intrinsic factor produced by the stomach. Without intrinsic factor, B12 cannot be absorbed. The liver stores most of B12.
Dietary deficiency of B12 produces a form of anemia, large, immature red blood cells (megaloblatic anemia). In a hereditary condition, absence of intrinsic factor, red blood cells are large and reduced in umber (pernicious anemia)––injection of B12 needed to save life. Poor appetite, loss of weight, mental confusion, and poor coordination are also symptoms. Sources of vitamin B12 are most commonly found in animal food sources, fish, poultry, milk, cheese, eggs; more in vegetables and fruits.
n C – Ascorbic Acid
Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) is needed for the formation of collagen, which is the connective tissue needed for healthy gums, strong blood vessels, binding material for skin, muscles, and scar tissues. It is also needed for the formation of hormones thyroxin and adrenalin, which are used for improvement of iron absorption, for the appropriate amino acids metabolism.
Dietary deficiency will need to scurvy––weakness, bleeding gums, loss of teeth, bleeding into the bone covering (the periosteum), easy bruising and small hemorrhages in the skin, and decreased immunity.
Even though vitamin C is water soluble, too much of vitamin C can have adverse effects such as diarrhea, kidney stones (oxalatetype), and certain types of anemia.
Linus Pauling has promoted mega doses of 1,000-5,000 mg/day of vitamin C to prevent and cure colds; various double-blind studies involving hundreds of subjects did not bring positive results.
Does vitamin C extend the life of cancer patients? No! Mayo Clinic demonstrated no benefit from the vitamin C therapy.
To read other articles by Ladislav P. Novak, visit LivingWellMag.com and enter keywords “John Eagle Honda.”
Ladislav P. Novak, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Southwestern Methodist University, Email: lnovak@mail.smu.edu.
John Eagle Honda, located at 5311 Lemmon Ave., Dallas, TX may be reached at 888-343-7677.
