Vitamin A

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Natural Pet Cures: Dog & Cat Care the Natural Way Dr. John Heinerman See book keywords and concepts

We both placed vitamins A, C and E high on our lists. vitamin a can come from cod-liver or some other type of fish oil, as well as leafy green vegetables and carrots (in the beta-carotene form). Vitamin C is always necessary to ward off infection. This should preferably be given in liquid or powdered form and mixed in with food. Ms. McKean was familiar with Rex Wheat Germ Oil and agreed that it was the best source of vitamin E around; one teaspoon for cats and smaller dogs and one tablespoon for larger animals every other day, we believed would be sufficient.

Prevention's New Foods for Healing: Capture the Powerful Cures of More Than 100 Common Foods Prevention Magazine See book keywords and concepts

A in their diets reduced their risk of getting cataracts by more than one-third. Three apricots provide 2,769 international units of vitamin a, 55 percent of the Daily Value (DV). Help from Fiber It's almost impossible to exaggerate the benefits of getting enough fiber in your diet. High-fiber foods can help you lose weight, control high blood sugar, and lower cholesterol levels. They're also essential for keeping digestion regular. So here's another reason to add apricots to your fruit bowl. Three fruits contain 3 grams of fiber, 12 percent of the DV.

Optimal Wellness Ralph Golan, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Warning: Excessive vitamin a can be toxic. • Take beta-carotene (up to 50,000 I.U. daily), but reduce dosage if your skin becomes orange. • Take vitamin E (400 I.U. daily) and vitamin C (up to 3,000 I.U. daily). Smoking Addiction Nearly 400,000 people die each year in the United States from complications arising from smoking, according to the National Institutes of Health. Nonsmokers who breathe secondhand smoke are also very susceptible to cigarette-induced illness.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS • Take vitamin a (up to 50,000 I.U. daily—see warning in Chapter Six), vitamin B complex (up to 50 milligrams a day), vitamin B-6 (up to 100 milligrams a day), and PABA, or para-aminobenzoic acid (up to 500 milligrams a day). • Take flaxseed oil (1 or 2 teaspoons a day) and borage oil (three capsules a day) for an increase of dietary essential fatty acid. OTHER THERAPIES • For external application, try a topical cream made with vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) as an active ingredient.

External applications: Use liquid vitamin a (A Emulsion Forte from Biotics Research Corp. of Houston or Nutrisorb A from Interplexus of Kent, Washington). Apply a generous amount directly to the cervix twice a week with a cotton swab. Or apply it to the tip of a tampon and insert the tampon up against the cervix. Remove within twelve hours. HERBAL REMEDIES • A vaginal pack of an herbal-based gel is commonly used by naturopathic physicians. One formula contains anhydrous magnesium sulfate, goldenseal, and essential oils of bitter orange, thuja, vegetable glycerin, VM 120, and tea tree (V.P.

A to 150,000 I.U. daily. Warning: Since severe toxicity symptoms may result from this high dose of vitamin a, it must be taken only under medical supervision. • Vitamin B-6 (25 to 50 milligrams a day) in a B-complex formula. • Zinc (30 to 60 milligrams a day). • Chromium (200 to 500 micrograms a day). Nore: Some of the items above can be taken as part of a multiple vitamin/mineral. • Flaxseed oil (1 teaspoon or three capsules a day). • Borage oil (two or three capsules a day, a key source of gamma linolenic acid).

The Way of Chinese Herbs Michael Tierra, L.Ac, O.M.D. See book keywords and concepts

This herb is used to treat gastrointestinal congestion, fluid retention, vitamin a deficiency, and cancer, including leukemia. Dose: 9-15 grams Note: For leukemia and liver cancer, drink fresh carrot juice (it can be the yellow domestic carrot). Caution: Be aware that poison hemlock often grows in the same areas as wild carrot and can be fatally mistaken for it.

The Super Anti-Oxidants: Why They Will Change the Face of Healthcare in the 21st Century James F. Balch, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Carotenoids — Beta-Carotene Beta-carotene is the most thoroughly researched of the carotenoids, but for decades was considered significant only as precursor of vitamin a. This began to change when the U.S. National Academy of Scientists' diet, nutrition, and cancer studies recommended that diets high in beta-carotene and low in fat would reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

However, lycopene, which is not a vitamin a precursor, has been found to be one of the more powerful of all antioxidant carotenoids. Beta-Carotene: While each carotenoid has its unique benefits, mixtures of carotenoids, as found in a balanced diet, have proven even more effective. D. L Morris presented an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (November 1994) showing that blood levels of total carotenoids were related to heart disease.

Natural Health Secrets From Around the World Glenn W. Geelhoed, M.D. and Jean Barilla, M.S. See book keywords and concepts

And, the vitamin a in fish oil helps strengthen and beautify hair — a double bonus!) Though the evidence is strong that eating more fish and fish oil is good for your health, many people find the smell and taste to be offensive. However, because people all over the world have started to demand fish oil (for the omega-3 fatty acids), the market has responded with a variety of easy-totake oil products. Cod-liver oil capsules are fast becoming the most popular form of fish oil — you can even find it flavored with mint, orange or cherry.

Viral Immunity J. E. Williams, O.M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Vitamin C, vitamin a, selenium, and zinc, along with olive leaf extract, are very helpful. Two other cases illustrate how natural methods can help. Several years ago, two women, both in their thirties, came to my office in the same week with the same complaint: an itchy painful rash about the size of a half dollar on the cheek. Both had a case of herpes zoster. The first had already been to her conventional medical doctor and the drugs prescribed did not work. When she came to my office, the pain was severe and the woman was in tears because of the unsightliness of the lesion.

Foods That Fight Disease: A Simple Guide to Using and Understanding Phytonutrients to Protect and Enhance Your Health Laurie Deutsch Mozian, M.S., R.D. See book keywords and concepts

Excessive beta-carotene consumption can result in hypercarotenemia, a harmless condition in which the skin turns an orangish color due to the liver's inability to process all of the beta-carotene into vitamin a. Excess carotene is stored in the skin and lends an orange pigment to flesh that is initially visible in the palms of the hands. Beta-glucan (BAY-tuh GLOO-kan). Beta-glucan is the main soluble fiber portion of oat bran. (See "Fiber" on page 44.) Beta-sitosterol (BAY-tuh SIGH-to-STER-awl).

Herbs for Health and Healing Kathi Keville See book keywords and concepts

The currently popular vitamin a derivatives used in some cosmetics are also exfoliants, but these are so concentrated that they can produce prolonged skin irritation and are available only by prescription. TONERS A toner can be any substance that improves the general appearance and health of the skin. In this chapter, however, the word "toner" is used to describe only lotions and other liquid cosmetics. Facial toners should be misted, dabbed or splashed on after a shower, to cool down on a hot day after exercising or to freshen your face and attitude on long trips.

Medicinal Mushrooms: An Exploration of Tradition, Healing, & Culture (Herbs and Health Series) Christopher Hobbs See book keywords and concepts

It is used in China to improve vision and to counteract ophthalmia and night blindness (perhaps due, in part, to its high vitamin a content). In China, tablets of A. mellea are said to increase the blood flow to the brain and heart and are recommended for treating dizziness, neurasthenia, insomnia, tinnitus, epilepsy, and numbness of the limbs (Yang & Jong, 1989). Preparation and Dosage Use the whole mushroom ad lib in stir-frys, soups, stews, tea, etc. Or take 30-90 grams of the dried powder in capsules (2 "00" caps 3 x daily), or 30-90 grams sprinkled on food, or as a tea.

The common orange-colored chanterelle contains 8 essential amino acids, as well as vitamin a. The frequent Cantharellus from Esculent Funguses of consumption of this fungi is beneficial in England by Charles D. Badham, M.D., 1847. preventing night blindness, inflammation of the eye (ophtalmia), and dry skin, according to TCM. It also helps tonify the mucous membranes, and may increase resistance against certain infectious diseases of the respiratory tract (Ying et al, 1987). Studies on mice show ethanol extract of C. cibarius sporophore can inhibit the growth of sarcoma 180 (Ying et al, 1987).

Miracle Cures: Dramatic New Scientific Discoveries Revealing the Healing Powers of Herbs, Vitamins, and Other Natural Remedies Jean Carper See book keywords and concepts

Cod liver oil, unless it has been stripped of vitamin a and D, is very high in these fat-soluble vitamins, which can build up in the body and become toxic. Prostate "Remedy of Choice" ( SAW PALMETTO) It's at least as good as common prescription drugs and will probably leave you a whole lot happier. If you're a man over age fifty, the chances are fifty-fifty that you have an enlarged prostate, medically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and the odds escalate as you grow older. It's no picnic.

Prevention's New Foods for Healing: Capture the Powerful Cures of More Than 100 Common Foods Prevention Magazine See book keywords and concepts

The body uses vitamin a, which you get in the form of beta-carotene from foods such as carrots, spinach, mustard greens, kale, and yellow and orange squash, to keep mucous membranes soft and moist. This is important, because these membranes, which line the nose, mouth, throat, and other parts of the body, are your first line of defense against infection. As long as they're moist, they're able to trap viruses and other germs before they get into your system.

Three apricots provide 2,769 international units of vitamin a, 55 percent of the Daily Value (DV). Help from Fiber It's almost impossible to exaggerate the benefits of getting enough fiber in your diet. High-fiber foods can help you lose weight, control high blood sugar, and lower cholesterol levels. They're also essential for keeping digestion regular. So here's another reason to add apricots to your fruit bowl. Three fruits contain 3 grams of fiber, 12 percent of the DV. Better yet, that's at a minimal calorie cost—just 51 calories for all three.

Viral Immunity J. E. Williams, O.M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Immune-enhancing nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin a, zinc, and selenium are also effective. Topical application of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) extract has been shown to be helpful for cold sores (Wohlbling 1994). Studies have shown, and patient results have confirmed that supplementing with the amino acid lysine and reducing dietary intake of arginine-containing foods are helpful in preventing and managing outbreaks of herpes simplex (Albert 1987). Arginine-containing foods include nuts, peanuts, and chocolate.

Active Wellness - A Personalized 10 Step Program for a Healthy Body, Mind & Spirit Gayle Reichler, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. See book keywords and concepts

They are often low in vitamin a, vitamin C, fiber, and calcium. If you eat a lot of frozen dinners, supplement them with fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products to get extra nutrition. To translate frozen dinner entrees into Active Wellness serving units that satisfy your eating plan requirements, make a best-guess estimate based on how much of the meal, in ounces, is grain, beef, chicken, or fish. If the package lists exchanges, also use these as a guide.

Viral Immunity J. E. Williams, O.M.D. See book keywords and concepts

In this case, the diet does not provide sufficient amounts of essential immune nutrients like vitamin a, zinc, and beta-carotene. Teenagers eating a diet of predominantly junk foods, as well as marginalized low-income people eating excess refined carbohydrates, are chronically undernourished in this manner. And, over time, they may develop a chronic low-level immune deficiency. In industrialized nations, overeating and consuming excess amounts of the wrong foods cause the most problems. Dietary stressors cause disease and can negatively affect the immune system.

It also works synergistically with selenium and vitamin a. Though vitamin E does not have specific effects on the immune system, it is so highly protective against oxidative damage that it is important to an immune-enhancing program. It protects the thymus gland and white blood cells from chronic viral disease, such as in AIDS or chronic HCV, during times of tissue stress. Vitamin E slows down the aging process, protects against cancer, improves circulation, speeds wound healing, and reduces inflammation caused by prostaglandin activity (body chemicals involved in inflammation).

The same cholesterol-lowering drugs that deplete vitamin a can reduce beta-carotene absorption. Other Carotenoids.- Besides beta-carotene, other carotenoids are also important in disease prevention. These include alpha-carotene, gamma-carotene, beta-zeacarotene, cryptoxanthine, zeaxanthine, lutein, and lycopene. The red color in tomatoes and watermelon is due to pigmentation from lycopene, which has been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

There are over 600 known carotenoids in nature, though only about 30 to 50 have vitamin a activity. Carotenes, a group of carotenoids, are found in all dark green, leafy vegetables (spinach, collards), yellow- and orange-colored fruits and vegetables (apricots, peaches, carrots, yams, squash), and red fruits and vegetables (strawberries, tomatoes). Beta-carotene is the most abundant of the carotenoids found in human food and is named after the orange color in carrots, a food high in beta-carotene.

Vaccination The Issue of Our Times Peggy O'Mara See book keywords and concepts

Keusch, "Vitamin A Supplements—Too Good Not to Be True," New England Journal of Medicine (4 October 1990): 985-987. The Chickenpox Vaccine by Maryann Napoli Maryann Napoli is cofounder and associate director of the Center for Medical Consumers and editor of HealthFacts newsletter. She and her husband, Richard, have been married more than 30 years and have two daughters, both of whom work in the women's health movement. The chickenpox vaccine is now available, despite doubts raised by some experts about the merits of mass immunization for a relatively minor childhood illness.

Prevention's New Foods for Healing: Capture the Powerful Cures of More Than 100 Common Foods Prevention Magazine See book keywords and concepts

A 6-ounce glass of carrot juice contains large amounts of beta-carotene, which, when it's converted to vitamin a in the body, delivers 948 percent of the Daily Value (DV). This same glass of juice also has 16 milligrams of vitamin C, 27 percent of the DV; 0.4 milligram of vitamin B6, 20 percent of the DV; 537 milligrams of potassium, 15 percent of the DV; and 0.2 milligram of thiamin, 11 percent of the DV. Despite their nutritional payload, juices should be used to supplement fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains in your diet, not replace them, says Dr. Campanelli.

The beta-carotene in apricots is converted to vitamin a in the body.) This nutrient helps protect the eyes, and as it turns out, the eyes need all the help they can get. Every time light passes through the eyes, it triggers the release of tissue-damaging free radicals. Left unchecked, these destructive oxygen molecules attack and damage the lenses of the eyes, possibly setting the stage for cataracts. Free radicals can also attack blood vessels supplying the central portions of the retinas, called the maculas.

This nutrient, which the body converts to vitamin a, is one of the antioxidants. That is, it helps prevent disease by sweeping up harmful, cell-damaging oxygen molecules that naturally accumulate in the body. High levels of beta-carotene have been linked to lower rates of heart attack, certain cancers, and cataracts. Broccoli is an excellent source of beta-carotene, providing about 0.7 milligram in a half-cup cooked serving. This provides 7 to 12 percent of the recommended daily amount. Supporting Players Broccoli isn't called the king of the crucifers for nothing.

Biomarkers William Evans, Ph.D., and Irwin H. Rosenberg, M.D., with Jacqueline Thompson See book keywords and concepts

So we have to contend with the very tricky issue of how to separate vitamin a needs from carotene needs. DIETARY ADVICE FOR THE ELDERLY EATER: MORE AND BETTER FOOD, NOT MORE SUPPLEMENTS If you've passed the 60 mark and you're concerned about meeting special nutrient needs, we urge you to begin by focusing on changing your eating habits. Include in your daily menu more of the foods shown in the table below. Do not simply buy bottles of supplements containing these nutrients. Supplements cannot convert a careless diet into a good one.

Feed Your Body Right: Understanding Your Individual Body Chemistry for Proper Nutrition Without Guesswork Lendon H. Smith, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Warts: Use vitamin a, especially if frequent bronchitis and bumps on arms. BREAST: Nodular tender cysts: Stop caffeine, chocolate, cola; add E, iodine, B6, essential fatty acids, magnesium. Tender at sterno-costal junction: Use B6. ABDOMEN: Smelly gas: Usually low stomach acid, low pancreatic enzymes, lactose intolerance, or food sensitivity. FEET AND LEGS: Knee swollen, grating when flexed: Try niacinamide. Osgood-Schlatter in thirteen-year-old: Try selenium and vitamin E. Skin dry, flaky: Use essential fatty acids. Pain on moderate pressure over shin: need calcium, niacinamide.

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