Who would have thought there would be enough information on just Vitamin A....or just Vitamin B1 (thiamin) to fill a textbook with 8 pages of information (no pictures, 8.5x11" pages, small print)--I sure didn't before I opened my current textbook on nutrition (Staying Healthy with Nutrition)!
I listed some examples below to emphasize the importance of BALANCE in our nutrition. Grabbing a specific vitamin or mineral (that you just read about in your favorite magazine) off the shelf of your nearest drug store is not in your best interest! The 'nutrition bytes' below are NOT meant to drive you crazy & throw up your hands in frustration---they are there just to make my point that BALANCE in nutrition (as in just about everything else) is one of the major keys to health.
This info was taken from my recent notes from a class I'm in. Be happy knowing that you can just read through them if you like & that you don't have to commit them to memory (like I'm doing---I hope my brain has enough 'file space!'). Did you know there was a 'Vitamin P'? :o) Read on!
*An excessive intake of iron can block the absorption of Vitamin A.
*Protein & zinc are needed in adequate quantities in order for Vitamin A to function as it should in our bodies.
*Taking more than 2000 mg of Vitamin C per day increases your need for folic acid.
*The average American's diet is deficient in Vitamin A.
*Along with Vitamin D, Vitamins A & C help support the transport of calcium in our bodies.
*Vitamin D & Calcium can help minimize menopausal symptoms.
*Large amounts of calcium can decrease the absorption of magnesium, zinc & phosphorus.
*Calcium in our diet improves the absorption of Vitamin B12---but too much calcium can interfere with the absorption of magnesium, zinc & iron.
*Protein intake helps with the absorption of calcium---yet too much protein may reduce absorption.
*Low magnesium can contribute to high blood pressure and has been linked to heart attacks.
*High amounts of calcium & Vitamin D in the presence of magnesium deficiency can lead to calcification of the soft tissues or kidney stone formation.
*Vitamin D is best utilized in the presence of Vitamin A.
*A high intake of Vitamin E or Calcium may decrease Vitamin K absorption.
*Vitamin B1 (thiamin) deficiency is still fairly common today with symptoms of fatigue, poor memory, depression, insomnia, GI disturbances (to name a few).
*Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is claimed by several authorities to be the most common nutrient deficiency in the US.
*High-dose B3 (niacin) can cause elevated homocysteine levels in the body (not good--cardiac implications!)
*Adequate magnesium in our bodies is necessary for Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) function
*Vitamin P (bioflavanoids) is found naturally with Vitamin C. That's why natural forms of vitamin C are so much more effective than synthetic forms of Vitamin C in similar amounts.
Sorry, I got carried away---Enough already! I think you get my point. As you can see above, just adding a lone vitamin or mineral to your daily routine will probably NOT provide you with the benefit you're hoping for--and may lead to other problems. A better idea: Look for a high quality multivitamin with a balanced formula (not a standard 100% RDA of each of the vitamins/minerals), organic, a whole food component (usually vegetable---an extra source of veggie power!) That's what my husband and I have been doing for years---a very inexpensive & cost-effective form of insurance!
May this New Year find you blessed with good health--
Sana
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