Vitamines & more
Numerous biochemical processes take place in the human body every day to keep the organism alive. Countless micronutrients are involved in these chemical reactions, which we must take in daily with our food in order to stay healthy. Even in ancient times, doctors knew that the state of health of their patients depended greatly on what they ate. Research into vitamin deficiency diseases, such as scurvy and rickets, eventually led to the discovery of vitamins.
Numerous biochemical processes take place in the human body every day to keep the organism alive. Countless micronutrients are involved in these chemical reactions, which we must take in daily with our food in order to stay healthy. Even in ancient times, doctors knew that the state of health of their patients depended greatly on what they ate. Research into vitamin deficiency diseases, such as scurvy and rickets, eventually led to the discovery of vitamins.
Only very few vitamins can be produced by the body itself. Most of them must be obtained from food. A distinction is made between fat-soluble and water-soluble types of vitamins. Water-soluble types, such as vitamin C and vitamin B, cannot be stored by the body. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the body gets enough vitamin B and vitamin C every day. They should be included in every vitamin mix.
The term vitamin B refers to a whole group of vitamins whose individual “members” have very different tasks in our body. A deficiency of B vitamins leads, among other things, to a drop in performance and neurological disorders.
Vitamin C has such a complex effect on our body that there is hardly any disease for which administration of the C vitamin does not lead to improvements. Recognised scientists, such as the two-time Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling, advocate taking high daily doses of this important vital substance. In his book “The Vitamin Programme”, Pauling advises eating a healthy diet and additionally taking a vitamin mixture.
In addition to the intake of vitamins, it is important to supply our body with sufficient minerals and trace elements. Linus Pauling suggests taking one tablet a day of selected minerals, including zinc, magnesium, calcium, iron and chromium.
Most people know that calcium gives our bones and teeth stability. Around 99 per cent of the calcium we take in is stored in the bones. If not enough of this mineral is available to the body, the required amount is dissolved from the bones. A constant calcium deficiency is therefore dangerous for the bones. Calcium also plays an important role in the healthy functioning of nerves and muscles. Vitamin D3 promotes calcium absorption. One should therefore pay attention to a sufficient supply of vitamin D3 in this context.
Magnesium is indispensable for our body and must be supplied in sufficient quantities every day. It is involved in about 300 enzyme reactions in the human organism. The nerves and muscles in particular need magnesium. A deficiency leads, among other things, to nervousness, weakness, concentration disorders, cardiac arrhythmia and muscle cramps. Magnesium works wonders for women’s complaints, migraines and headaches.
Those who suffer from dry skin, brittle nails and hair loss may not have consumed enough zinc in their diet. A zinc deficiency also reduces our body’s defence function and leads to anaemia and growth disorders. Two billion people are estimated to suffer from zinc deficiency. This mineral is important for the formation of more than 200 enzymes. These are proteins that accelerate important biochemical processes in our body or make them possible in the first place. The World Health Organisation recommends a daily dose of 15 mg of zinc for men. For women, 12 mg is recommended daily.
Iron is also essential for the organism. It is important for blood formation and, as a component of red blood pigment, ensures the transport and storage of oxygen in the human body. A deficiency can cause severe disorders.
Chromium helps reduce blood sugar levels and is important for fat metabolism. Refined sugar causes a high excretion of chromium. Therefore, a chromium deficiency can occur due to a wrong diet.
