Vitamins and supplements are constantly being advertised in all mass media; in the entire civilized world there is practically no problem of access to products. How can a shortage still exist? And why do we need these substances?
Role
A very long time ago, when medicine was much less developed, people noticed that, getting into quite difficult conditions, for example, in a long voyage, in the north or excluding some products from their diet, a person seemed to fall ill for no reason. Traditional methods of treatment did not help, and gradually it became clear that the matter was in nutrition. Moreover, not every food was suitable in order to avoid a disease or treat it, so people came to the conclusion that different types of products contain certain substances. Intuitive understanding was later reinforced by research by scientists who were able to isolate and then synthesize these elements. But more on that later.
Every person who is reasonably suitable for his diet knows that it must be balanced. And it's not just about proteins, fats and carbohydrates, but also about the necessary vitamins and minerals. Of course, you can get them by taking special preparations, but it will be much more beneficial for the body to absorb them naturally - from food. But why are they needed?
Conventionally, each of the vitamins plays a special role. But in fact, they are all designed for the normal course of a huge number of processes. For example, vitamin C has over 300 biological functions. By the way, it cannot be synthesized by the human body.
Vitamin Discovery History
For a long time, the intuitive understanding that diets should be varied has not been supported by research. The famous Russian scientist N. I. Lunin was one of the first to begin experimenting in this area at the end of the 19th century. He fed the mice in parts all the known components of cow's milk, that is, fats, carbohydrates, proteins, salts, sugar, but the animals died. And then he concluded that certain substances are needed that have not yet been discovered, but are essential for the life of the body.
In 1906, this conclusion was made by the English biochemist F. Hopkins, calling these components "accessory food factors". But the last step in the isolation of these substances was carried out by the Pole Casimir Funk, who received crystals that cured the symptoms of hypovitaminosis B, at that time it was called beriberi. He called this drug "Vitaymayn" (from the Latin word vita - "life" and English amine - "amine", a nitrogen-containing compound). He suggested that similar substances could cure diseases such as night blindness, scurvy, pellagra and rickets. And he was not mistaken.
Confession
In the first half of the 20th century, almost all the main vitamins were obtained, and later their chemical structure was also deciphered. Other substances acting on the same principles have been discovered. With the wording “for the discovery of vitamins” in 1929, Hopkins and Aikman, who studied animal hypovitaminosis in chicken, received the Nobel Prize. The merits of Lunin and Funka were forgotten for many years.
Nevertheless, further studies have made it possible to isolate new substances, today related to vitamins, and also to understand their functions.
Classification
Today, a huge amount of vitamins is known, and they are divided into groups. Previously, they were also distinguished by their fat and water solubility, but the appearance of a large number of analogues deactivated this classification.
- A: this group of substances includes retinoids, which are part of the main visual pigment. It also stimulates growth and development, provides antioxidant and immune defense of the body. Contained in carrots, pumpkin, fish oil.
- Q: this group includes a very large number of substances that are responsible for many functions at once. In large quantities present in wholemeal, legumes.
- C: this includes only one substance - ascorbic acid. Its entry into the body is possible only from the outside, with food, while other vitamins can be synthesized to some extent. It is with its help that the formation of collagen, serotonin, tryptophan, and corticosteroids occurs. He is involved in the digestion of food, immunomodulation, neutralizes some substances. This is one of the most important substances in the body, and it, fortunately, is found in many vegetables and fruits.
- D: a group of substances that form in the skin under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Provides absorption of calcium and phosphorus, stimulates the synthesis of a number of hormones, regulates cell division, metabolic processes.
- E: vitamins that support reproductive function. In addition, they act as antioxidants and affect muscle development. They are effective immunomodulators. Contained in vegetable oils.
- K: primarily responsible for blood coagulation. In addition, they participate in the work of the kidneys, metabolism in the bone and connective tissues, synthesize protein structures used in the heart, lungs and other organs. Contained in spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, avocado, kiwi, bananas.
- P: rutin, which is responsible for reducing the fragility and permeability of capillary walls. It increases the elasticity of red blood cells and has antioxidant properties. Contained in citruses, green tea, sorrel.
Sometimes vitamins include substances similar to them, which work according to the same principles and are of equal importance to the body. After all, their deficit translates into exactly the same extremely unpleasant situation. And if you do not change it, the result may even be fatal.
Hypo-, hyper- and vitamin deficiency
Any qualified nutritionist or just a sane person knows that eating is better up to 5-6 times a day, but in small portions than eating the same amount of food in one sitting. The same is the case with vitamins - their intake should be as uniform as possible, since extremes threaten the appearance of problems.
The prefixes hypo-, hyper- and a- mean respectively deficiency, excess and complete absence of anything. This is also true for conditions associated with the problems of vitamins entering the body. And although none of these diseases develops in one day, treatment can be quite lengthy and complicated.
Sometimes in everyday life, vitamin deficiency and hypovitaminosis mean about the same thing - vitamin deficiency. This is often said in the spring, when for a long time one has to eat canned foods that are poor in nutrients.
Causes
They can be both external and internal. The first is the lack of vitamins from food. And to the second - a whole range of problems.
Firstly, it may be an increased need for vitamins. This happens during pregnancy, with great physical exertion, the presence of diseases.
Secondly, their digestibility or the mechanisms of their delivery to their destination may be impaired. There may also be problems with the transition of vitamins to an active form. Then even their sufficient sufficient receipt is not the prevention of hypovitaminosis. The body simply cannot absorb or use the substances it needs.
In turn, the internal causes of hypovitaminosis can be both congenital and acquired due to other diseases. In any case, there is almost always an opportunity, if not completely cured, to maximally compensate for hypovitaminosis.
Symptoms of the main types
Obviously, the Latin root “life” is not in vain in the name of these substances, but their lack does not automatically mean death, it all starts innocently. However, hypovitaminosis is serious if left untreated.
As already mentioned, group A is involved in the mechanisms of perception of visual information. Its lack also affects immunity and the condition of the skin. Fortunately, one of the first signs indicating vitamin A hypovitaminosis is considered to be cracks in the corners of the lips - painful and long healing. At this time, it is still impossible to talk about health hazards, but the symptom is obvious. If the disease state is not compensated, vitamin A hypovitaminosis can lead to visual impairment, especially in the dark - the so-called night blindness.
Group B is involved in a huge number of life processes. Their deficiency can lead to depression, skin lesions, intrauterine developmental defects, joint pain, gastrointestinal disorders, hair loss, impaired attention and memory, anemia and other serious problems.
The lack of ascorbic acid at first looks like a decrease in immunity, frequent SARS. Fatigue and weakness may be felt. In the future, this can result in nosebleeds and the appearance of ulcers in the oral cavity - scurvy.
Rickets - a lack of vitamin D - is expressed primarily in sweating, thinning hair and softening bones due to impaired absorption of calcium. This is especially dangerous at an early age, since the skeleton can be deformed.
Hypovitaminosis is not a joke. So during seasonal diseases, provided there is no access to fresh vegetables and fruits, with increased physical exertion, you need to think about health. Hypovitaminosis prophylaxis is simple. It does not require much time and effort, but can save you from a huge number of problems.
Prevention and treatment
Even if the causes of hypovitaminosis are unknown, the tactics of getting rid of it are always the same - filling the shortage. Prevention, accordingly, is aimed at ensuring that it does not occur.
Of course, this is primarily achieved by revising the patient's diet. If necessary, the amount of certain substances consumed daily increases. If there is no access to the corresponding natural products, they can be replaced by synthesized, that is, medicines. True, excess can also lead to problems, so you shouldn’t be too zealous. Everything should be in moderation - this was known even in antiquity. If there is hypovitaminosis, the symptoms of which have been ignored for a very long time, a complex treatment is ahead, which will be aimed both at eliminating the deficiency of the necessary substances, and at getting rid of the symptoms.
Effects
Hypovitaminosis is a serious disease, no matter what form it may be. The normal functioning of the body is disrupted, which is exacerbated if the situation remains unchanged. Of course, this all develops more than one day, but in severe cases, the consequence is one - death. And if its cause is not a deficiency of certain vitamins directly, then the diseases caused by their lack, for sure. It is all the more terrible to realize that in most cases it is very easy to prevent the causes of hypovitaminosis and, accordingly, such an outcome. To do this, you just need to eat varied. And if this is not possible - take multivitamin preparations on time.
About hypervitaminosis
As a rule, to achieve this state is quite difficult. If hypovitaminosis is a more or less common condition, then excess is rare. The fact is that usually the body simply removes those substances that it does not require. But not always. In order to get an excess of vitamins, you need to eat foods rich in them, while taking drugs in large doses. The most common are excess A and D. With type A hypervitaminosis, itching and peeling of the skin, headache, nausea and vomiting are felt. In general, it looks like poisoning. Hypervitaminosis D is osteoporosis and calcium deposition in the heart, kidneys, and vascular walls. At the initial stage, it is characterized by loss of appetite, headache, and gastrointestinal upset.