Vitamins and minerals have been used for thousands of years. They are indispensable for normal body function and health maintenance. We cannot possibly ingest all the vitamins and minerals we need unless we eat our food immediately right in an organic garden. Cooking, processed food, canning and bottling destroy many of the essentials we need to maintain a healthy existence. Vitamins cannot replace food and cannot be absorbed properly without eating, therefore they should be taken with meals. Vitamins aid in metabolism regulation, converting fat and carbohydrates into usable energy, and help in forming tissue and bone.
Essential for normal growth and repair of body tissues, helps maintain integrity of the skin, aid in teeth and bone formation, protects against pollutants, helps counteract poor eyesight and night blindness. Lack of Vitamin A can lead to infection of the cornea, conjunctiva (the red part of the eye), trachea (windpipe), hair follicles, and renal system. Deficiency can also cause night blindness. Vitamin A is found in butter, butterfat in milk, egg yolk, some fruits (prunes, pineapples, oranges, limes, and cantaloupe), green leafy vegetables and carrots. Can also be taken as Beta Carotene.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) affects growth and good muscle tone, helps stabilize appetite, and aids in carbohydrate metabolism. Alcoholics can be especially deficient. Lack of Vitamin B1 may cause weakness, feeling exhausted, insomnia, depression and constipation. B1 is found in whole grains, nuts, egg yolk, fruits, and most vegetables.
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) affects cellular metabolism (the ability of the cell to take in food, make energy and discard waste.) Helps in forming antibodies and red blood cells, helps maintain good eyesight. Found in liver, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and green vegetables.Lack of Vitamin B2 may cause cracks and sores in the mouth and on lips, skin rashes, oily skin, growth retardation and eye problems.
Vitamin B-3 (Niacin; Niacinamide) Helps improve circulation and decrease cholesterol levels, helps reduce blood pressure and metabolize protein, sugar and fat. Lack of Niacin may cause GI upsets, fatigue, headaches, irritability, insomnia and canker sores.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is necessary for the breakdown of amino acids and building protein, helps manage the central nervous system, has a diuretic effect on women with PMS, helps decrease muscle spasms, cramps, hand numbness and stiffness, helps relieve Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and prevent kidney stones. Found in liver, meat, poultry, and green vegetables. Vitamin B6 deficiency may cause nervousness, insomnia, anemia, water retention and muscle cramps.
Vitamin B12 (biotin, folic acid, and cyanocobalamin) helps form and regenerate red blood cells, increase energy and is needed in order to absorb Calcium. It is found in leafy green vegetables, organ meats, lean beef and veal, and wheat cereals. A deficiency will result in pernicious anemia and neurological problems, including numbness and weakness, anemia and premature gray hair.
Helps build resistance to infection, may help prevent and treat colds, aids in iron absorption, necessary for healthy teeth, gum and bones, is a major antioxidant and helps prevent the conversion of nitrates and pollutants into cancer-causing substances. A deficiency will lead to scurvy (shallow complexion, loss of energy, pain in legs and joints, bleeding gums, and muscle pain), bruising, nosebleeds and tooth decay. Vitamin C is found in raw cabbage, carrots, orange juice, lettuce, celery, onions, tomatoes, and all citrus fruits.
Vitamin D is essential for the development of bones and teeth, a deficiency can lead to rickets and tooth decay. It is also essential in the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus, two of the most important minerals in forming bones and teeth. Vitamin D is manufactured in the skin with exposure to sunlight, and is also found in milk, cod liver oil, salmon, egg yolk, and butter fat.
Helps supply oxygen to the blood, is a major antioxidant, prevents and helps dissolve blood clots, helps prevent the buildup of plaque in blood walls, thereby helping to prevent atherosclerosis and heart disease. It has also been used in the healing of scars. Vitamin E is available in several different forms. the two most popular are D-Alpha Tocopherol (100% natural) and is 4 times more potent than d1-Alpha Tocopherol (synthetic.)
Essential for blood clotting, Vitamin K is found in fats, oats, wheat, rye, and alfalfa.