Vitamin Information Center

MODESTO, Calif., Sept 11, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ — Journal of Nutrition Cites Almonds as a Rich Source to Fill the “E Gap”
More than 90 percent of the U.S. population does not meet the current intake recommendation for vitamin E, according to a special supplement to the September 2008 Journal of Nutrition(). The article recognized almonds as an excellent source of vitamin E that can fill this nutrient gap and the authors concluded that vitamin E, among other things, can help support a healthy immunity.
The Almond Board of California has commissioned numerous studies on the availability of nutrients in almonds, and as an excellent source of vitamin E, one ounce of almonds could help consumers reach their recommended daily allowance (RDA). The RDA for vitamin E is 15mg of alpha-tocopherol. On average, most Americans consume only 8 mg of alpha-tocopherol vitamin E per day. By eating one ounce of almonds (7.5mg of vitamin E), Americans can achieve the RDA.
“Vitamin E is an essential nutrient that the body needs daily, and most people don’t realize that they can fill that ‘E gap’ with easily available and enjoyable whole foods,” said Maret Traber, Ph.D., professor of nutrition and principal investigator at the Linus Pauling Institute and expert on vitamin E. “Almonds are an excellent source of vitamin E.”
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 recognizes vitamin E as a nutrient of concern in the American diet since most people don’t get enough. The Guidelines highlight almonds as the premier whole food source of alpha-tocopherol vitamin E, the form of vitamin E that the human body prefers.
Dr. Karen Lapsley, director of scientific affairs for the Almond Board of California, confirmed almonds’ multi-tasking nutrition profile, stating, “In addition to vitamin E, when compared ounce for ounce, almonds are the nut highest in protein (6g), fiber (3g), calcium (75mg), riboflavin (0.3mg) and niacin (1mg). Also, the skins of almonds contain levels of antioxidants called flavanoids that are similar to many fruits and vegetables(2).”
Americans can close the gap — the E Gap — today by adding a one-ounce handful of vitamin E-rich almonds.
One ounce of almonds, about a handful, offers: Calcium (75mg), Protein (6g); Iron (1.0mg); Potassium (200 mg); Unsaturated Fat (12g). U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend that the majority of your fat intake be unsaturated. One serving of almonds (28g) has 13g of unsaturated fat and only 1g of saturated fat.
The Almond Board of California administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. Established in 1950, the Board’s charge is to promote the best quality almonds, California’s largest tree nut crop. For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit www.AlmondsAreIn.com.
References:
() Janet C. King, Jeffrey Blumberg, Linda Ingwersen, Mazda Jenab, and Katherine L. Tucker. Tree Nuts and Peanuts as Components of a Healthy Diet, Journal of Nutrition, September 2008, Volume 138, Number 9S-I Supplement. 1734-1765.
(2) Paul E. Milbury, Chung-Yen Chen, Gregory G. Dolnikowski, Jeffrey B. Blumberg. Determination of Flavanoids and Phenolics and Their Distribution in Almonds, Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, June 28, 2006.
SOURCE Almond Board of California
http://www.AlmondsAreIn.com

Anyone who takes vitamin supplements and looks at its bottles or boxes is familiar with the vitamins that are contained in each tablet.

But what do those vitamins really do? Do you really need to take them? Below is a list of the most common vitamins found in supplements as well as a description of what they do.

Vitamin A

- commonly found in leafy vegetables and in other products like carrots, broccoli, papaya, eggs and liver, this vitamin helps keep the eyes healthy. A deficiency of this vitamin can cause permanent loss of eyesight.

Vitamin B1

- thiamine is the other name for this vitamin. It keeps the heart and the digestive and nervous systems functioning normally. Aside from that, thiamine is also important in a person’s physical growth and development.

Good sources of this vitamin include beef, pork, nuts and legumes, among other foods.

Vitamin B2

- otherwise known as riboflavin, this vitamin is important in metabolizing energy as well as fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Common sources of this vitamin include milk, cheese and leafy vegetables. A deficiency of this vitamin is signaled by cracked lips, mouth ulcers and sore throat, among other symptoms.

Vitamin C

- also known as ascorbic acid, this vitamin has a lot of benefits attributed to it. Some of them include boosting the immune system and minimizing the symptoms of illnesses.

It is also a well-known antioxidant. Lack of this vitamin can cause scurvy that leads to loss of teeth and eventually, death.

Bacterial fuel cells could be used in wastewater treatment plants, among other applications.

Even bacteria need vitamins.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have learned that riboflavin is the secret ingredient that makes shewanella bacteria capable of converting compounds such as lactic acid into electricity.

Riboflavin is also known as vitamin B-2.

“Scientists have known for years that shewanella produce electricity,” said study co-author Daniel Bond, a microbiologist at University of Minnesota’s BioTechnology Institute. “Now we know how they do it.”

Shewanella use the electricity they generate to get access to metals such as iron.

The scientists demonstrated that the bacteria grown on electrodes naturally produced riboflavin to carry the electrons from the cells to the metal tips.

As the vitamin’s levels increased in the bacteria, the electricity generated nearly quadrupled. When the riboflavin was removed from the bacteria, electron transfer decreased by over 70 percent.

The results suggest that shewanella or other electricity-generating bacteria could be used to power microbial fuel cells. These cells, in turn, could clean up wastewater in a treatment facility, or even run remote ocean floor sensors.

“Bacteria have been changing the chemistry of the environment for billions of years,” said Jeffrey Gralnick, Bond’s colleague and study co-author. “Their ability to make iron soluble is key to metal cycling in the environment and essential to most life on earth.”

Bond and Gralnick caution, however, that more research is needed before considering larger-scale applications for microbial fuel cells such as powering vehicles or homes.

The researchers received funding for their work from the U.S. Navy to study the process of reversing metal corrosion on ships.

The study was published in the the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

It’s summer time and produce is fresh and easy! What better time to stock up on nutrients after a cold winter with the beautiful array of fruits and veggies that flourish at this time of year. Here are 10 amazingly vitamin rich foods to include in your diet to ensure that you never run the risk of deficiencies, not to mention helping out your brain, heart, vision, joints and just about everything else by consuming them….

#1 - Dark Leafy Greens Dark green is the key with examples of amazingly vitamin rich, leafy vegetables including spinach, mustard greens, beetroot greens, turnip greens and kale as just a few. Adding these to a salad will give you high amounts of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and carotenoids. Mustard greens themselves have an incredible array with vitamin A, C, E, and B6, folate, dietary fibre, tryptophan (no this is not the radioactive rock that can kill Superman!), manganese, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and copper all being found in this green. Continue Reading…

You have probably heard it said that good skin care starts on the inside: A healthy body manifests in healthy skin. Unfortunately, that’s not altogether true: As I’m sure you’ve noticed, some people who seem to eat well, exercise, take vitamins and get plenty of sleep but still have problem skin of one sort or another. There can be several reasons for this: the diet, although good, may not contain adequate amounts of certain vitamins or minerals, or the skin could be irritated by environmental and household chemicals and pollutants. A good shielding lotion is the best topical skin care product to protect you from the chemicals, but there are a few vitamin remedies that might also help.
Continue Reading…

Summary: Cassava is an important poverty relief crop. It is highly nutritious and provides a reasonable source of carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and vitamins. It can exist in very harsh environmental conditions and may be useful in eradicating poverty and hunger associated poverty. Key words: cassava, good source of minerals and vitamins
Continue Reading…

Vitamin B₂

Tablets , riboflavin 5 mg

Uses:

vitamin B₂ deficiency

Dosage:

Treatment of vitamin B₂ deficiency, by mouth , ADULT and child up to 30 mg daily in divided doses

Prophylaxis of vitamin B₂ deficiency, by mouth , ADULT and child 1–2 mg daily