Life
The benefits of vitamins
The much more common human papillomavirus (HPV), the cause of cervical cancer and genital warts, diverts vitamin A and beta-carotene from almost every tissue in the body. However, it is worth noting, (for additional facts about vitamins), that scientists at the University of Washington have discovered that taking just a small, 5000 IU dose vitamin A every day can make transmitting HPV to another person as much as 99% less likely.
If you are taking any kind of prescription drug to stay healthy, you most certainly need a nutritional supplement. Statin drugs for lowering cholesterol interfere with the production co-enzyme Q10. The “water pill” Lasix (furosemide) that is given to almost anyone who’s ever had a heart attack, flushes away the B vitamins, magnesium, and potassium. It’s just one of the fundamental facts about vitamins that hundreds of prescription drugs interfere with the body’s absorption, use, or storage of vitamins and deprive the body of their benefits.
There is evidence that multivitamins can help correct many specific conditions. The B vitamins enhance men’s fertility. Folic acid is important for expectant mothers. Multivitamins may soothe the pain of arthritis, eliminate symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), boost mental function, cut down on antisocial behavior in children, and generally improve well being. Whether you are healthy or you are sick, chances are you can benefit from a daily multivitamin.
Vitamin enthusiasts often promote “megadose” therapies with common vitamins. A megadose is an intake of a vitamin in an amount greatly above the amount the body needs for normal function. Megadoses can be 5, 10, or even 20 or 30 times the recommended daily allowance.
Sometimes a megadose of a water-soluble vitamin just for a day or two actually helps prevent disease, as is the case with taking up to 2,000 mg of vitamin C a day or two can help keep you from catching cold. Sometimes a megadose of vitamins under professional supervision can correct a chronic deficiency disease such as pernicious anemia or certain conditions of the bone.
Most of us, however, only need vitamins at the level of nutritional needs. For generally healthy people, vitamins are a safe and effective “added insurance” against developing chronic conditions.
