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Vitamins: Benefits for specific diseases
By: Dr. Obikoya
Vitamins have been proven to protect us from a number of
diseases. Many of the beneficial effects of vitamins on our health have been
linked to their antioxidant properties. The effects of vitamins on some diseases
are discussed in this article.
Heart disease: Of all the chronic diseases in which excess oxidative stress has
been implicated, cardiovascular disease (CVD) has the strongest supporting
evidence for the beneficial role of antioxidants.
Oxidation of LDL-C may be a key step in the development of atherosclerosis, and
atherosclerosis and hypertension are known risk factors in the development of
CVD. Thus, antioxidants are potentially useful in preventing or delaying the
development of atherosclerosis, and in preventing heart disease.
A high intake of carotenoids has been shown to be protective against heart
disease in several population-based studies.1,2 In humans, carotenoids play two
primary roles: All exert antioxidant activity, but some are also converted into
vitamin A. CoQ-10 helps prevent heart disease, boosts cellular energy production
thereby improving heart function, and prevents the formation of free radicals to
help protect your body cells.
Vitamin B12 is required for the normal activity of nerve cells, and works with
folate and vitamin B6 to lower blood levels of homocysteine, a chemical in the
blood that is thought to contribute to heart disease. Cancer: Research studies
suggest that coenzyme Q-10 has increased the survival of patients with cancers
of the pancreas, lung, colon, rectum, and prostate.
You can reduce your risk of cancer by taking Calcium. Consuming this mineral can
actually cut your risk of colon cancer. In your digestive system, calcium binds
with bile acids and fatty acids and as a result prevents their absorption.
Researchers now think this in turn hinders the formation of colon cancer cells.
Selenium boosts your body's production of glutathione peroxidase, a potent
antioxidant enzyme. Supplemental selenium reduces the risk of some cancers.
Carotenoids, Vitamin D and Vitamin E are all known to have anticancer
properties. Respiratory Diseases: Because of the widespread effects of oxidation
in the body, it is possible that antioxidants protect against a wide array of
other ailments, such as certain respiratory disorders.
Asthma is characterized by chronic airway inflammation. The generation of oxygen
free radicals by activated inflammatory cells produces many of the
pathophysiologic changes associated with asthma and may contribute to its
pathogenesis. Therefore, antioxidant nutrients may play a role in the prevention
and treatment of asthma. Vitamin C is the major antioxidant present in the
surface of the lung, suggesting a protective antioxidant role. A number of
studies support the use of vitamin C in allergy and asthma. Dementias: Recent
research evidence indicates that the combined use of high doses of vitamin C and
vitamin E helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
Eye diseases: Vitamin E is needed for the development of the retina and protects
against cataracts and macular degeneration.
Immunity: Vitamin C has been found to affect the human immune response, with
increased antimicrobial and natural killer cell activities, lymphocyte
proliferation, chemotaxis, and delayed dermal sensitivity. Studies have involved
pharmacologic doses of vitamin C (200 mg/day to 6 grams/day in addition to
dietary intake); therefore, the effect does not appear to apply to nutritional
intake of vitamin C from food alone. There has been much interest in the use of
pharmacologic doses of vitamin C to prevent or treat the common cold, and some
studies have reported beneficial results. Treatment of the common cold with
vitamin C is associated with reduced duration of cold symptoms.
Endocrine diseases: Chromium is an essential trace mineral that also assists the
body in maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Chromium is an especially
important nutrient for people who have type 2 Diabetes or are at risk for it.
Insulin usually helps lower blood sugar levels, but if you have type2 Diabetes,
your insulin is less effective. In fact, some cases of type 2 diabetes are
triggered by a chromium deficiency.
Chromium may also play a role in increasing HDL ("good") cholesterol,
while lowering total cholesterol
Bone diseases: Vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and
phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and
maintain strong bones. It promotes bone mineralization along with a number of
other vitamins, minerals, and hormones.
Without vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, soft, or misshapen. Vitamin D
prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, skeletal diseases that
result in defects that cause weak bones and muscles. Vitamin B12 has also been
proposed as a treatment for numerous other conditions such as osteoporosis
(calcium loss in bones), depression, and teeth diseases.
The primary function of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is the production of collagen,
which forms the basis for connective tissue in bones, teeth, and cartilage.
Developmental diseases: Many studies have shown that folic acid reduces the
incidence of spina bifida and other neural tube defects; however, some
researchers have questioned whether multiple births could be associated with
folic acid consumption during pregnancy.
Many of the other vitamins and minerals not mentioned in this article have been
shown to have beneficial effects on our health.
References
1. Kritchevsky SB. Beta-carotene, carotenoids and the prevention of coronary
heart disease. J Nutr 1999;129:5–8 [review].
2. Palace VP, Khaper N, Qin Q, Singal PK. Antioxidant potentials of vitamin A
and carotenoids and their relevance to heart disease. Free Radic Biol Med
1999;26:746–61.
