Sunday, October 31, 2010

Vitamin C

today, dr. D comes in and ask each of us to present one vitamin or mineral.


As I was not really prepared quickly resolves for vitamin C.
everyone knows about vitamin C right?


So here's the more prepared revision.
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid is one of the vitamins that are hidrophilic.
Sources of this vitamin usually came from citrus fruits, such as lemons and oranges.
The vitamin is however, easily oxidized, so it is better to eat raw from the source rather that those that are processed.


Vitamin C is only required in small amounts daily.
For adults, 75 to 90 mg/day is adequate.
Excessive intake of vitamin c is useless since the body cannot store vitamin.
Doses higher than 2,000 is discouraged since it can leads to diarrhoea.
Too little, can cause a wide array of symptoms including ;

  • Dry and splitting hair
  • Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)
  • Bleeding gums
  • Rough, dry, scaly skin
  • Decreased wound-healing rate
  • Easy bruising
  • Nosebleeds
  • Weakened tooth enamel
  • Swollen and painful joints
  • Anemia
  • Decreased ability to fight infection
  • Possible weight gain because of slowed metabolism
Severe form of vitamin C is known as scurvy, which often affects older, malnourished adults.

As you can see, the vitamin is non-fat soluble, thus it cannot enter the cell and cannot be stored.
It is best you make sure that your diet everyday is supplied with them!

Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) in Nutritional Anemia

Anemia?
It describes the condition in which the number of red blood cells in the blood is low.


Sign and symptoms?
Fatigue, decreased energy, palpitations, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, pale.


So what is nutritional anemia?
Nutritional anemia arises from inadequate intake or malabsorption of food for any reason.
Iron deficiency, vit. B12 deficiency, folic acid deficiency included.


Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) - decreased total iron body content.
Causes?

  • Too little intake
  • Poor iron absorption (Celiac disease,Helicobacter pylori)
  • Chronic blood loss
  • Expanding red blood cell mass during pregnancy
CBC may show microcytic and hypochromic if chronic (MCV and MCHC below normal levels)
The body absorbs iron best from meat.
Absorption can be increased by adjunct ingestion of foods high in vitamin C.

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