.
DTRCN: Ok one question I have for you from last weeks class

DTRCN: The IU form of Vit A comes from .................where?
PARSHURAM: animal
DTRCN: good
DTRCN: and the RE comes from
PARSHURAM: plant

DTRCN: ok I would like to clarify that even though the Animal form is
called retinol form it is from animals and they use IU. the plant form is actually called Carotenoid and RE or retinol equivalents is used...confusing but true.

BDeGraz: Why is it necessary to have both in our diets?
BDeGraz: As you stated last time.
DTRCN: because they actually perform different tasks in the body as you
could see by the functions listed for each.
DTRCN: They activate different systems/enzyems.
DTRCN: But work so closely together it is detrimental to separate them and use just one.

DTRCN: VITAMIN D
.
HISTORY: the first written account of Vit D was in 1643. Then in
the early 1800's 1/3 of the children in London were found to have rickets.
Vit D was not attributed to the cure until the 1930's.
.
NOTE: in 1960 in the US Ten State Survey 4% of the children under
age six examined showed evidence of Vit D Deficiency,.
.
PROPERTIES:
The active form of Vit D is actually a hormone. Vit D is produced IN the skin
from ultra violet rays of the sun and it regulates other organs. Some D can be obtained
from the diet but not what we need.

SOURCES: fatty fish, liver, egg yolk, milk fat and fortified foods.
.
NOTE: Anything that blocks UVR's including skin pigment, smog, fog,
SunScreen, windows, roofs, and hats, etc.......Block Vit D production in the body.
.
DIGESTION & ABOSRPTION: Vit D can be stored in the fat cells of the
liver. Vit D needs fat for absorption when ingested.

TOXICITY: High daily doses over an extended period of time could
produce excessive Ca (calcium) levels in the blood, first signs=sore eyes, unusual thirst,
itchy skin, vomiting, diarrhea. Unfortunately these signs are seen with many other
medical problems.
.
Things that hinder Vit D absorption
1) mineral oil
2) alcohol
3) any fat malabsorption diseases

NOTE: Pantothenic Acid (a B vitamin) is necessary for Vit D synthesis in the body.
.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: Rickets = demineralization of bones in children
.
NOTE: A Vit D deficiency increases the production of a hormone that
removes Ca from the bones this is called Osteomalacia in adults.
.
FUNCTIONS:
.
DTRCN: 1) Vit D promotes Calcium (Ca) absorption
.
DTRCN: 2) it is involved in normal cell growth and maturation

DTRCN: 3) Vit D regulates Ca and ensures healthy functioning of the nerves
.
DTRCN: 4) Vit D plays a role in the secretion of insulin by the pancreas
thus aiding in regulation of blood sugar.
.
At Risk: children, elderly, anyone living in Low Sun climates,
non-milk drinkers, anyone in High pollutions areas, alcoholics.

DTRCN: OHA = 400IU
DTRCN: RDA = 400IU
.
DTRCN: 1 quart of milk = 400IU of Vit D

DTRCN: NOTE: doses of less than 1000 IU are unlikely to cause any adverse
effects and over exposure to sunlight does not cause adverse effects of Vit D only
SUNBRUN...ouch.

BDeGraz: Are you saying then we need not worry about not getting enough daily?
.
DTRCN: Since no one really knows the amount made by each individual via the
sun, they are quoting INTAKE amounts.
DTRCN: YOUR intake needs to be 400IU

DTRCN: This is what they know has to be ingested for minimal health
DTRCN: think about your day...........do you take a multivitamin

DTRCN: it supposedly has 400IU then you get additional from the sun
DTRCN: UVR's come through the clouds but not as well.
DTRCN: .
DTRCN: Do you suffer from toxcity?

DTRCN: so the body needs at least what you are giving it.
DTRCN: if you drink milk, etc you are also getting Vit D, but remember
DTRCN: D & A play a large role also.


DTRCN: VITAMIN E

STATEMENT: "Processed & convience foods can contribute to a vitamin E deficiency IF their use continues over several years" (Understanding Normal & Clinical Nutrition 2E)
.
DTRCN: PROPERTIES: Vit E is made only by plants the richest sources being
plant oils. The best sourde of Vit E is vegetable oils and some lesser amounts in
seeds and grains. The richest natural source is Wheat Germ Oil.
.
DTRCN: Food made with vegetable oils vary greatly in Vit E amounts. Drying
in the sun, milling, air, refining, irradation, canning all destroy Vit E.

DTRCN: DIGESTION & ABSORPTION:

DTRCN: Vit E is absorbed in the small intestine. It is dependent on bile
salts and pancreatic juice for absorption.
Again any malabsorption syndrome such as: cystic fibrosis, gall
bladder, GI surgery, liver or pancreas disorders will interfere and stop Vit E
absorption.
.

BDeGraz: Is it better to take vit individually or combined into 1 tablet?

DTRCN: It is better to take them together as you would get them when you eat
food and it is better to take them with a meal with a couple of exceptions.
So a multivitamin is good insurance and necessary then you can add individuals if you feel
it is necessary for yourself.

PARSHURAM: I take Vitamin E in the morning with my breakfast.
PARSHURAM: My breakfast did not involve any fats
PARSHURAM: If it is fat soluble vitamin then
PARSHURAM: can i get the benefit of Vitamin E if I am taking without any
fats
DTRCN: are you sure your breakfast did not have fat? You have stored
lipids in the body to help with what you ingest.
PARSHURAM: I take biscotti and a cup of tea
DTRCN: Cereal have fat, milk has fat, bread usually has some fat.
.
DTRCN: check your biscotti label so you may not be taking any in but you
should have some stored.

WARNING: Supplements CAN NOT/DO NOT take the place of food. They
are exactly what they say "Supplements" to the food you eat to insure you get the
nutrients you need with todays lifestyles to protect you as much as possible from outside
influences.
.
DTRCN: Do not Diet and take vitamins to replace food lost.

BDeGraz: Does a "Balanced Diet" really exist?
DTRCN: Out there somewhere it might have but now I really doubt it.

DTRCN: Did you read the paper I sent on supplementation.
BDeGraz: Part of it
DTRCN: I think it states the reasoning very well.
PARSHURAM: not yet
DTRCN: in college nutrition we asked our professor, who was not for
supplementation, if she
DTRCN: took vitamins, answer yes, for insurance.......go figure.

BDeGraz: smart prof
DTRCN: that is why I still take mine.
.
Inorganic Iron and Birth control pills interfere with Vit E activity.
.
DTRCN: FUNCTIONS:

: 1) Antioxidant = it stops oxidizing radicals that occur during
normal metabolism=if they cannot oxidize they die. In this Vit E works in conjunction with
the mineral Selenium.
.
2) Stabilizes and maintains cell membrane integrity
.
3) Enhances nerve development
.
4) Protects Vit A and PUFA's (polyunsaturated Fatty acids) from oxidation
.
VIT E DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:

: 1) suppresses the immune system

2) if blood concentration falls to low, red blood cell membranes break open resulting in
the lack of oygen to the body and this is called Erythrocytehemolysis and results in anemia.
.
3) in children Vit E def. can cause neurological problems that are irreversible.
.
4) may promote fibrocystic breast disease
.
5) intermittent claudication (pain when walking, cramping of calves
at night.) from the book, it says "remarkable relief from persistent nocturnal leg and
foot cramps was reported by pts taking under 300IU's of Vit E daily.

NOTE: one study has shown that 45% of affluent elderly Americans were getting less than 1/3
of the daily Vit E requirement. They now believe that Vit E deficiencies are more common
place than once thought.
.

OHA = up to 400IU with 50-200mcg of organic Selenium
DTRCN: (Dr. Shendler's recommendation)

DTRCN: RDA = 30IU
.

BDeGraz: There are two kinds of Vit E. Which one is the best?
DTRCN: are you referring to the tocopherols?
BDeGraz: yes
DTRCN: .
DTRCN: You should be taking, again, a blend not one or the other.

DTRCN: they are not separate in nature so we need to take them as close to
natural as possible.
.
NOTE: DO NOT use Vit E while taking Coumadin/Warfarin without a Dr's ok.
.
DTRCN: We ingest on the average about 15 IU's of Vit E daily

TOXICITY: Vit E toxicity is rare even at high doses for an extended amount of time.

NOTE: Anyone in high pollution areas may benefit from extra Vit E as
it goes into the lungs and that is where the tissue/cells have maximum exposure to oxygen.
So Vit E would prevent oxidation hence stop free radical formation.
.
DTRCN: PMS = Vit E improves all major categories of PMS symptoms.
Researchers found that 400 IU daily will help relieve PMS symptoms.


DTRCN: You are asking if a vitamin from a tablet can interact and make
another vitamin useless?
BDeGraz: yes..in the same tablet
DTRCN: Normally, vitamins work together. However, if you get too much of
some they can throw others out of balance or render them non-absorbable.
We will learn which ones will counteract withthe others. Mostly
this is with minerals. we have seen the example of too much Vit D/Ca can bother each other.

DTRCN: VITAMIN K
.
HISTORY: Identified in 1935 when chicks suffered sever bleeding
disease then when given alfalfa or hog liver fat (both have K) the blood clotted normally.
.
DTRCN: PROPERTIES:

3 Forms of Vit K:
: 1) K1 from green plants
2) formed by bacteria in the intestinal tract
3) (most potent and toxic) this is the synthetic (man made) compound

Vitamin K is fat soluble also and is usually formed by the intestinal bacteria but a little is also
gotten from plant or animal sources.

DTRCN: Vit K can be destroyed by sunlight but is resistant to the heat of cooking.
.
ABSOPRTION: the abosorption of Vit K requires bile and pancreatic
juice.
.
: FUNCTIONS:
.
1) coagulation of the blood by formation of prothrombin
2) formation of Gla a calcium binding protein.
3) Vit K may help Ca get deposited in the bones

Vit K has no specific RDA requirement but newborn infants are given a shot of Vit K shortly
after birth to promote blood clotting.
.
SOURCES: green leafy veggies, wheat bran, cheese, egg yolk, liver

DEFICIENCY: can be caused by liver disease, taking large amounts of
anitbiotics which destroy intestinal bacteria, fat malabsorption diseases, etc.
.
TOXICITY: natural forms are not toxic, synthetic cause anemia or jaundice.

BDeGraz: Why isn't Vit K added to supp's?
DTRCN: Because the body makes what we need in the intestines.......and too
much can over coagulate the blood....as long as one does not get sick they should be fine.

DTRCN: if you have to take antibiotics or have other problems. Adding
yogurt to help replenish good bacteria is recommended.

BDeGraz: Can vitamins be taken with herbs?

DTRCN: I have attended several seminars on herbs and they usually say to
take 1hr before or after

DTRCN: "The Honest Herbal" by Varro E Tyler, PhD.
.
DTRCN: I will be sending some short exams about 10 questions and the log
will be up by Fri.