Vitamins are organic food substances found only in living things, i.e. plants and animals. They are essential for our bodies to function properly, for growth, energy and for our general well-being. With very few exceptions the human body cannot manufacture or synthesize vitamins. They must be supplied in our diet or in man-made dietary supplements. Some people believe that vitamins can replace food, but that is incorrect. In fact, vitamins cannot be assimilated without also ingesting food. That is why it is best to take them with a meal. Synthetic vitamin supplements can be of varying quality, so it is a good idea to get your supplements from a reliable source
Vitamin A :
Daily Amount Needed :
10,000 IU/day (plant-derived) for adult males.
8,000 for adult females - 12,000 if lactating.
4,000 for children ages 1-3
5,000 for children ages 4-6
7,000 for children ages 7-10
Information :
Vitamin A helps cell reproduction. It also stimulates immunity and is needed for formation of some hormones. Vitamin A helps vision and promotes bone growth, tooth development, and helps maintain healthy skin, hair, and mucous membranes. It has been shown to be an effective preventive against measles.Deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, poor bone growth, and weak tooth enamel. Alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and retinol are all versions of Vitamin A.
Fruit Sources :
Most fruits contain vitamin A, but the following fruits have a significant amount:
Tomatoes
Cantaloupes
Watermelon
Peaches
Kiwi
Oranges
Blackberries
Vegetable Sources :
Sweet potato
Kale
Carrots
Spinach
Avocado
Broccoli
Peas
Asparagus
Squash - summer
Green Pepper
Nut Sources :
Pistachios
Chestnuts
Pumpkin Seeds
Pecans
Pine Nuts/Pignolias
Sunflower Seeds
Almonds
Filberts/Hazelnuts
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Vitamin B1 (Thiamine):
Daily Amount Needed :
1.2 mg for adult males and 1.1 mg for women - 1.5 mg if lactating.Children need .6 to .9 mg of B1/thiamine per day.
Information :
Vitamin B1/thiamine is important in the production of energy. It helps the body cells convert carbohydrates into energy. It is also essential for the functioning of the heart, muscles, and nervous system. Not getting enough thiamine can leave one fatigued and weak.Note: Most fruits and vegetables are not a significant source of thiamine.
Fruit Sources :
Watermelon
Vegetable Sources :
Peas
Avocado
Nut Sources :
No nuts contain a significant amount of vitamin B1.
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Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin):
Daily Amount Needed :
1.3 mg for adult males and 1.1 mg for women - 1.5 mg if pregnant/lactating.Children need .6 to .9 mg of B2/riboflavin per day.
Information :
Vitamin B2 or riboflavin is important for body growth, reproduction and red cell production. It also helps in releasing energy from carbohydrates.Note: Most fruits and vegetables are not a significant source of riboflavin.
Fruit Sources :
Kiwi
Vegetable Sources :
Avocado
Nut Sources :
No nuts contain a significant amount of vitamin B2.
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Vitamin B3 (Niacin):
Daily Amount Needed :
16 mg for adult males and 14 mg for women - 17-18 mg if pregnant/lactating.Children need 9 - 16 mg of niacin per day.
Information :
Niacin assists in the functioning of the digestive system, skin, and nerves. It is also important for the conversion of food to energy.
Fruit Sources :
Peaches
Tomatoes
Kiwi
Bananas
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Vegetable Sources :
Avocado
Peas
Potatoes
Mushrooms
Squash - winter
Corn
Artichoke
Asparagus
Squash - summer
Lima Beans
Sweet potato
Kale
Broccoli
Carrots
Green Pepper
Nut Sources :
Peanuts
Pine Nuts/Pignolias
Chestnuts
Almonds
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Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid):
Daily Amount Needed :
5 mg for adults and 6 - 7 mg for women who are pregnant or lactating.Children need 2 - 4 mg of niacin per day.
Information :
Pantothenic acid is essential for the metabolism of food as well as in the formation of hormones and (good) cholesterol.
Fruit Sources :
Oranges
Bananas
Vegetable Sources :
Avocado
Sweet potato
Potatoes
Corn
Lima Beans
Squash - winter
Artichoke
Mushrooms
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Carrots
Nut Sources :
No nuts contain a significant amount of vitamin B5.
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Vitamin B6 (Pryidoxine):
Daily Amount Needed :
1.3 to 1.7 mg for adults - 2 mg for women who are pregnant or lactating.Children need between .6 to 1.3 mg.
Information :
B6 plays a role in the creation of antibodies in the immune system. It helps maintain normal nerve function and acts in the formation of red blood cells. It is also required for the chemical reactions of proteins. The higher the protein intake, the more need there is for vitamin B6. Too little B6 in the diet can cause dizziness, nausea, confusion, irritability and convulsions.
Fruit Sources :
Bananas
Watermelon
Vegetable Sources :
Avocado
Peas
Potatoes
Carrots
Nut Sources :
No nuts contain a significant amount of vitamin B6
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Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid):
Daily Amount Needed :
At least 400 mcgs for most adults - pregnant women 600 mcgs and breastfeeding women should get at least 500 mcgs.Children need between 150 to 300 mcg per day.
Information :
Folate and folic acid are both forms of B9. Folate occurs naturally in fresh foods, whereas folic acid is the synthetic form found in supplements. Your body needs folate to produce red blood cells, as well as components of the nervous system. It helps in the formation and creation of DNA and maintaining normal brain function, and is a critical part of spinal fluid. It has also been proven to reduce the risk for an NTD-affected (neural tube defect) pregnancy by 50 to 70 percent. Folic acid is vital for proper cell growth and development of the embryo. That is why it is important for a woman to have enough folate/folic acid in her body both before and during pregnancy.
Fruit Sources :
Kiwi
Blackberries
Tomatoes
Orange
Strawberry
Bananas
Cantaloupe
Vegetable Sources :
Lima Beans
Asparagus
Avocado
Peas
Artichoke
Spinach
Squash - winter
Broccoli
Squash - summer
Corn
Sweet potato
Kale
Potatoes
Carrots
Onions
Green Pepper
Nut Sources :
Peanuts Sunflower Seeds Chestnuts Walnuts Pine Nuts/Pignolias Filberts/Hazelnuts Pistachios Almonds Cashews Brazil Nuts Pecans Macadamias Pumpkin Seeds
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Vitamin B12 :
Daily Amount Needed :
2.4 mcg for adults and 2.6 - 2.8 mcg for women who are pregnant or lactating.Children need .9 - 2.4 mcg per day.
Information :
Like the other B vitamins, vitamin B12 is important for metabolism. It helps in the formation of red blood cells and in the maintenance of the central nervous system.Vitamin B12 is the one vitamin that is available only from fish, poultry, meat or dairy sources in food.
Fruit Sources :
None
Vegetable Sources :
None
Nut Sources :
No nuts contain a significant amount of vitamin B12.
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Vitamin C :
Daily Amount Needed :
60 mg for adults - 70 mg for women who are pregnant and 95 for those lactating.Children need between 45 and 50 mg
Information :
Vitamin C is one of the most important of all vitamins. It plays a significant role as an antioxidant, thereby protecting body tissue from the damage of oxidation. Antioxidants act to protect your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of the body’s metabolism. Free radicals can cause cell damage that may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Vitamin C has also been found by scientists to be an effective antiviral agent.
Fruit Sources :
Kiwi ,Strawberry ,Orange ,Blackberries ,Cantaloupe ,Watermelon ,Tomatoes ,Lime ,Peach Bananas ,Apples ,Lemon ,Grapes
Vegetable Sources :
Artichoke ,Asparagus ,Avocado ,Broccoli ,Carrots ,Cauliflower ,Corn ,Cucumber ,Green Pepper Kale ,Lima Beans ,Mushrooms ,Onions ,Peas ,Potatoes ,Spinach ,Squash - summer ,Squash - winter ,Sweet potato
Nut Sources :
No nuts contain a significant amount of vitamin C.
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