Vitamins

Beta-carotene is a lipid soluble vitamin, or carotenoid. It is also known as pro-vitamin A. It is a very large molecule that is converted to vitamin A in a ratio of 1:2 beta carotene to vitamin A when it metabolized in the liver. The body will convert...

Folic acid is a member of the "B" vitamin family and is water-soluble. The test is usually run on serum in conjunction with B12. It is necessary for new cell growth, especially the lining of the G.I. tract, the surface of the tongue and in pregnancy. It...

Lutein is a fat-soluble carotene that is found in very high concentrations in a portion of the retina in the eye. This is thearea where the lens focuses sharp images. The presence of lutein may prevent or limit damage due to “free radicals...

Lycopene is a fat-soluble carotenoid. It is one of the strongest antioxidants found in the tissues and has been shown to reduce the risks of various cancers, especially prostate cancer. Foods that have the highest levels of lycopene are red tomatoes (NOT...

Some of the functions of vitamin A are in the body's vision, mucous membranes, cell division, skin maintenance, sperm production, egg development, growth, bone development and cancer prevention. Symptoms indicate a deficiency of vitamin A in the body...

Vitamin B1 is also known as thiamine. It is essential in energy production as thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP). It is very important for carbohydrate metabolism and is involved in many metabolic functions. It is necessary for the synthesis of RNA and fat. It...

B12 contains a mineral, cobalamin, and is sometimes referred to as cyancobalamin. The test is run on serum, usually in conjunction with folate (folic acid). B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. It is necessary for DNA and red blood cell synthesis, new cell...

Vitamin B2 is also known as riboflavin. Riboflavin is essential in energy production as FAD. It is important in the synthesis and breakdown of fats. It activates the vitamins B6 and folic acid. It is also important in the synthesis of corticosteriods,...

This is a water-soluble vitamin that is part of the B complex. It is involved in a number of essential functions in the body and is an essential part of coenzyme A (CoA), an important catalyst in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins in...

Vitamin B6 is also called pyridoxine and erythrocyte AST/EGOT. There are three natural forms: pyridoxine (pyridoxal), pyridoxamine and pyridoxal. B6 is necessary for protein metabolism; conversion of linoleic acid to arachidonic acid; glycogen breakdown;...

Vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid. There have been over 7000 articles written about vitamin C. It is a strong water-soluble antioxidant. Vitamin C stimulates the immune system in seven different ways and is important in collagen formation. It is...

Although controversial, high dose intravenous vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has been used to effectively treat various conditions. These include various viral infections and cancer. A protocol for use of high dose vitamin C may be obtained by writing, The...

Vitamin D is one of the fat-soluble vitamins, along with A, E, and K. Its metabolites can be classified into two families, the cholecalciferols and ergocalciferols. Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), is the parent of the naturally occurring family and is...

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin. There are eight forms of vitamin E, however, the most biologically active form is d-alpha-tocopherol. The best defined role for vitamin E is an antioxidant for unsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes. It is also...