What the heck is beta-carotene? A tutorial on vitamins and minerals.
Folks, I’m not gonna lie to ya; I am REALLY tired. This week has wiped me out and each night that I get home from a long day of work (usually lasting from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.), I think to myself, “Hm…I should write.” But alas, I have not had the energy at all this week and I am afraid that energy still escapes me. However! Because I love you all dearly, I was brainstorming this morning over my heavily caffeinated coffee on what I should write about when I finally got an opportunity…which happens to be now…when I can hardly type.
Doesn’t it ever befuddle you when you’re, say, perusing the wealth of Nutrition Facts on the side pannel of your cereal box and see all this different stuff but you have no idea what any of it means?! It drives me crazy. When I was younger, I would ask my mother constantly, “What about blueberries is so good for you?” She would answer plainly that blueberries are rich in antioxidants. When I was a younger girl, this answer was quite enough, but now as a science major (when I actually have the ability to diagram an oxidation reaction on paper), I am truly unsatisfied with so simple an answer.
Now, because I pondered on it a while this past semester, I was able to reason through exactly what antioxidants really DO in your body. But then came the question, “Ok. What about all that other stuff? All the vitamins and minerals? What specific foods are they found in? And what do they actually DO?!” Before I go into all this, I will explain the oxidation reaction. Oxygen is great…for breathing. But take a look at the periodic table, ladies and gentlemen.
http://campus.ru.ac.za/full_images/img05206111510.jpg
^^^Take note of the orange and brown arrows; Oxygen is near the top right hand corner.
SO! Looking at these periodic trends, we chemists will readily conclude that Oxygen is quite the reactive species. Anyway, long story short, “undistracted” oxygen ions (without all their appropriate electron bonding patterns– it usually likes two single/ sigma bonds and one double/ pi bond) will readily react with other atoms/ molecules/ compounds… Henceforth! When oxygen is in free radical form in your body (meaning that bonding patterns are not satisfied), IT WILL REACT ON YOUR TISSUES, breaking them down! Imagine, the walls of your intestines, just chillin out one day when suddenly WHAM! “Hi! My name is Oxygen Plus One (ion) and I need another electron! Let me bond to you and take some of your tissue away so I can have my octet!” That’s how it works…in the most elementary way I know how to explain.
^^^ This is an example of an oxidation reaction.
What this all leads up to is another cut-and-paste party where, I, the “writer”, will provide you with a plethora of information on vitamins and whatever the heck they’re really doing for your body. I will also include the section on WHERE you can find this awesome stuff. Once again, I do NOT plagiarize; here is the site I used : http://bodiesofstone.homestead.com
VITAMIN AMOUNT WHAT THE HECK IT DOES! : )
5000 IU For vision, eyes, clear skin, healthy bones, hair and teeth. 5000 IU (Beta Carotene) Antioxidant turns into Vitamin A when the body needs it. 400 IU Calcium and phosphorus metabolism for strong bones and teeth. 30 IU Prevents oxidation of proteins, fats and vitamin A, protects red blood cells. ** Helps the blood clot properly. 60 mg An antioxidant that is credited with building the immune system to prevent colds and illnesses, and destroying or minimizing the effects of free radicals and nitrosamines related to carcinogens. (Thiamine) For functioning of nervous system, appetite and energy. (Riboflavin) For the skin, eyes and energy. (Niacin) For the skin, the nervous system and mental performance. (Pantothenic Acid) Develops acetylcholine a neurotransmitter for functioning of adrenal glands Helps metabolize protein and fat and is needed for red blood cells and hemoglobin synthesis. 0.30 mg Metabolizes amino acids, and important hair growth. Red blood cell formation, metabolizes fats, amino acids, protein synthesis. ** Prevents fat accumulation in the liver. And neurotransmitter in the brain.Inositol ** Involved in calcium mobilization.
Also included: Where the heck do I find this stuff?!
Leafy Green Vegetables and Fruits for Antioxidants
Leafy green vegetables provide antioxidants that build the immune system to fight off illness and dis-ease. Antioxidants are protection from harmful free radicals that can damage and reduce healthy cells and promote the cell aging process.
Antioxidants Free radicals cause irreversible damage (oxidation) to cells like rust on a pipe. They form and grow on the damage done in your body from smoking, exhaust fumes, radiation, excessive sunlight, certain drugs, intensive exercise without proper nutrition, stress and abnormal metabolism. As free radicals build they damage your healthy cells, ultimately this speeds the cell aging process because they eave your body vulnerable to advanced aging, cancer, cardiovascular disease and degenerative diseases like arthritis.
Your body has a natural antioxidant mechanism that protects you from most cell damage. Fruits and leafy green vegetables have substances in them that act as antioxidants. Antioxidants are available as supplements
Soybeans are Natural Estrogen – Soybeans contain isoflavinoids that are actually weak estrogen. These compounds ease menopausal symptoms and reduce the risk of uterine colon and breast cancers. It also lowers LDL level cholesterol. You can get soybeans in a Soya protein powder. This powder mix is filled with amino acids that aide in memory retention, weight loss and increases muscle. Pregnant women especially should consult with their physician before taking soy products.
Cancer Prevention: Last year, the American Institute for Cancer Research launched a new educational program called “The New American Plate,” which calls for Americans to shift the proportions on their plates for lower weight and better health. By emphasizing how healthy proportions will look on the plate (“two-thirds or more vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans; one-third or less animal protein”) and offering recipes that emphasize the flavors, colors and textures of plant foods, the New American Plate has helped thousands of people consume a more varied and healthy diet.
Lutein: Spinach, avocado and other yellow or leafy green vegetables contain lutein which concentrates in the retina and the lens where it reduces the risk for cataracts and macular degeneration, the leading preventable cause of blindness in America, which affects 13 million people. Surprisingly, he said, lutein also slows prostate cancer cell growth. And when it is combined with lycopine, lutein demonstrates independent and additive preventive effects on prostate cancer cell growth.
Essential fatty acids (EFA’s) are “good” fats necessary for producing new cell membranes. What scientists are discovering about EFA’s is especially encouraging relative to the eyes. We already know that omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, for example, have a wonderful track record for enhancing the health of the heart and balancing water in the body. Recently, researchers have learned that these fatty acids also help maintain the delicate fluid balance in the eyes.
St John’s Wort is nicknamed herbal Prozac. This herb is thought to act in the same way as some antidepressants by enhancing the effect of the neurotransmitter, serotonin, in the brain. It has a long history of use. One of the rare side-effects of St John’s Wort is an increase in sensitivity to light. This may also explain why it is effective for treating SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) related depression in the winter.
Benefits of Uncooked Natural Foods: Avoiding cooking prevents the hazards of the microwave, of burns, of fires, of enzyme destruction, of carcinogens created by heat, the cost of cooking, the time of cooking and of cleanup, carcinogens in metal cookware such as aluminum, etc.
Low Acid Foods – Many diseases come from over acidification of the body. Meat, eggs, fish, nicotine, coffee have high acid contents. Fruits, even citrus fruits, are excellent for potassium which offsets sodium and acidification. Fruits with average levels of potassium include apricots, peaches, bananas, raisins (l/2 cup), prunes, cantaloupe, figs, dates, watermelon, and juices such as orange, grapefruit, tangerine and prunes. Fruits in general are alkaline and therefore reverse acidification.. Even citrus has a biochemical change in the body.
Kidney stones are caused by excess calcium (in animal products), excess oxalic acid (from the cooking of some vegetables, and other factors. The thin green layer between potato’s brown skin and white interior when cooked causes oxalic acid, e.g. Fruitarians in general have the fewest kidney stones. If you like fried potatoes it is better to cook them in olive oil and to peel them to avoid the oxalates
Fruit has the most natural fiber for good intestinal function, those who eat lots of fruit have the least intestinal cancer, constipation, appendicitis, hemorrhoids, peritonitis; etc. Citrus fruit becomes alkaline in processing. Fruit is the least acid of all foods and therefore the food which is best for long life.
Almonds contain a high percentage of essential amino compounds and are rich in protein. Although the percentage of fat is high, it’s an unsaturated oil that is readily digested and assimilated. Almonds have an alkaline effect in the body, the most complete alkaline of any other nut. They are helpful in the treatment of heartburn and peptic ulcers. It’s the oil and protein in the nut, and their interaction with the gastric juices/acids.that promotes this beneficial effect.
Almonds are also credited as a cure for cancer. Dr. Harold Manna in his book “The Death of Cancer” explains how amygdaline destroys cancer cells. Amygdaline is present in the sweet almond however the bitter almond contains a ferment, emulsion which is missing from the sweet variety (found in apricot/peach pits) The effective agent in amygdaline appears to be a vitamin designated as B-17. As well, the almond has a decent amount Cyanic Acid content (cyanide) within. Unlike regular healthy cells,cancer cells function without oxidative mechanisms and soak up the Cyanic Acid which destroys cancer cells.
Alrighty…I am going to bed.
