Vitamin Information Center

Higher-dose vitamin D supplements are now in demand. But consumers who take higher-dose vitamin D supplements and whose dietary intake of calcium is high may experience muscle cramping and other symptoms, which can be avoided by taking vitamin D in combination with muscle-relaxing magnesium - as provided in the new “30 Minutes of Sunshine™” dietary supplement by Lifespan Nutrition.

San Dimas, CA (PRWEB) March 28, 2008 — Americans don’t get enough sunshine and experts now suggest Americans need to supplement their diet to achieve optimal levels of vitamin D. 30-Minutes of Sunshine™ is the new vitamin D3 dietary supplement that does this safely and affordably.

30-Minute of Sunshine™, available from Lifespan Nutrition, is the all new mineral-balanced vitamin D3 supplement featuring 5000 international units (IU) of water-soluble vitamin D3 combined with magnesium citrate, vitamin B6 and ferulate from rice bran, all for less than 25 cents per day. Up to 5000 units of supplemental vitamin D3 is now recommended by The Vitamin D Council.

Health authorities recognize vitamin D deficiency is widespread and now advise the public to obtain 30 minutes of midday sunshine or about 5000 international units of vitamin D per day, for optimal health. [Expert Opinion in Pharmacotherapy 9: 107-18, January 2008 The Recommended Daily Value for vitamin D (400 IU) does not significantly raise blood concentrations of vitamin D to levels achieved by regular midday sun exposure.

This unique formula is designed to optimize vitamin D3 absorption and prevent muscle cramping that may be induced by high-dose vitamin D supplements that are now in demand.

Since vitamin D increases utilization of calcium and magnesium, and the American diet is overly rich in calcium (Americans consume about three times more calcium than magnesium), an unfavorable calcium-to-magnesium ratio may produce avoidable side effects.

Since calcium promotes muscle tightness and magnesium muscle relaxation, calcium dominance can produce symptoms such as muscle cramping and constipation. Other symptoms of excessive calcium include migraine headaches, heart flutters and anxiety reactions. In addition to dietary calcium, many Americans may be taking calcium supplements with vitamin D which may further exacerbate these symptoms. [Journal American College Nutrition 1994 Oct; 13(5):429-46

30 Minutes Of Sunshine™ provides 125 milligrams of elemental magnesium citrate per capsule along with water-soluble vitamin D3, both highly absorbable forms of these nutrients.

The 30-Minutes of Sunshine™ formula also provides an ample amount of vitamin B6 required for magnesium utilization, and rice bran ferulate, a natural antioxidant that may improve the ability of vitamin D to enter cells via enhanced sensitivity of the vitamin D receptor.

Vitamin D3 is the natural form of vitamin D, which is preferred over synthetic vitamin D2. Some vitamin D experts state that vitamin D2 is not suitable for supplementation or food fortification. [American Journal Clinical Nutrition 2006 Oct; 84(4):694-7

While natural vitamin D is free and amply provided by skin exposure to midday sun, most Americans are deficient, particularly during winter months or when living in northern climates. Many people living in sunny climates have also been found to be deficient. The best diet only provides a few hundred units of vitamin D and does not meaningfully raise vitamin D levels.

Concerns over excessive sun exposure and skin cancer are far outweighed by the benefits of vitamin D, which include improved cardiovascular, bone, muscle and cellular health and enhanced immunity. Now consumers have a way, using dietary supplements, to obtain vitamin D without concerns over excessive sun exposure.

Only recently have health authorities realized they have been unduly concerned over potential side effects from higher-dose vitamin D, given that an hour of midday full-body sun exposure can produce up to 10,000 units of natural vitamin D without side effects. Medical textbooks must now be rewritten.

A portion of the sale of 30-Minutes of Sunshine™ is donated to The Vitamin D Council. For more information about vitamin D and the 30-Minutes of Sunshine™ formula, including a free Family Guide For Vitamin D, please visit www.lifespannutrition.com or call Lifespan Nutrition at 1 800 247-5731.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Lucy Sardi 909 599-2009
Email: (lasardi1 @ aol.com)

Lifespan Nutrition
457 West Allen Avenue, Unit 117, San Dimas, CA. 91773 USA
www.lifespannutrition.com

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Encapsulating water-soluble ingredients in a whey protein-pectin complex could extend their use in acidic beverages, suggests new research from Canada.

At a protein:pectin ratio of 2:1 researchers from the Institute on Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods at Laval University in Quebec report that complexes containing the water-soluble vitamin thiamine could be prepared at pH 3.5, showing the potential of such vitamin-rich complexes for formulation in acidic beverages.

The research could tap into the growing market for functional drinks, reported to have enjoyed value growth at 18 per cent in 2006, according to a report by drinks company Britivic and market researcher Nielsen.

Well-being drinks, those which offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition, is the third fastest growing drinks category and has now reached £841m in value.

The new results suggest that the new vitamin complex could offer formulators a new way of fortifying acidic beverages with water-soluble ingredients, like thiamine.

“At pH 3.5 (in both methods of acidification), the thiamine content of the complexes … allows fulfilling the Recommended Daily Allowance of the vitamin for an adult male (1.4 mg), with 70-80 mg of the dry complexes,” wrote Gerard Bédié, Sylvie Turgeon, and Joseph Makhlouf in the journal Food Hydrocolloids.

The right path to thiamine encapsulation

The researchers tested three different ratios of low methoxyl pectin (LMP, donated by CP Kelco) to whey protein isolate (BiPRO WPI, Davisco Foods International) of 2:1, 1:1 and 1:2, and adjusted the pH of the solution to 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, and 2.5 either before or after blending.

The optimum results were achieved for a protein:pectin ratio of 2:1, wrote the researchers. Moreover, at a pH of 3.5 to 3.0, the maximum amount of thiamine was incorporated into the complex, regardless of pre- and post-blending acidification. Seven per cent thiamine was trapped for pre-blending and 4.5 per cent for post-blending.

“The characteristics associated with post-blending acidification at a protein:pectin ratio of 2:1 provided the best structure for thiamine entrapment,” wrote Bédié, Turgeon and Makhlouf.

“Although thiamine entrapment with both pre and post-blend systems indicated optimum entrapment at pH 3.5, which is appropriate for acidic foods, post-blending acidification may be preferred for hydro-soluble ingredients, considering the structural advantages of the resulting complexes.”

The researchers confirmed that studies were ongoing in their laboratory in order to elucidate “the effect of vitamin concentration on thiamine content of the complexes and the protective effect of the complexes on the entrapped-vitamin”.

Source: Food Hydrocolloids (Elsevier)
Volume 22, Issue 5, Pages 836-844
“Formation of native whey protein isolate-low methoxyl pectin complexes as a matrix for hydro-soluble food ingredient entrapment in acidic foods”
Authors: G.K. Bedie, S.L. Turgeon, J. Makhlouf

Jeannie Mullins
Extension Agent

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that has a wide variety of uses in the body. It helps to slow down or prevent cell damage and helps the body absorb iron from plant foods. Vitamin C is also needed to maintain healthy body tissues and the immune system.

Scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, was common a few generations ago especially among seamen who lived on dried and salted foods for months at a time. Today, scurvy is rare in the United States. Still, not getting enough of this important vitamin can lead to anemia, bleeding gums, infections and poor wound healing.

So How Much Do We Need?

For adults over age 19, women need 75 milligrams (mg) per day, and men need even moreÑ90 mg per day. If you smoke, you need an additional 35 milligrams of vitamin C every day. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should talk to your healthcare provider to see what is recommended for you.

The best way to get enough Vitamin C is through foods rather than supplements. Fruits and vegetables are the best sources. One medium-size red or yellow sweet pepper has 225 mg of vitamin C, and one medium papaya has 190 mg. In addition to citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines and grapefruit other foods that contain vitamin C include broccoli (cooked), cantaloupe and baked potato (with skin). Some cereals and juices have vitamin C added. Since the amount of vitamin C in each product varies, always check the nutrition label to see how much vitamin C that particular product contributes to your daily requirement.

Retaining Vitamin C in Foods

Vitamin C is easily destroyed during preparation, cooking or storage so follow these easy tips to retain as much of the vitamin as possible.

• Eat raw fruits and vegetables as soon as possible after buying them.
• Cut vegetables just before eating or cooking.
• Cook vitamin C-rich foods quickly in as little water as possible.
• Microwave, steam or stir-fry to retain the most Vitamin C.

How Much is Too Much?

Healthy individuals who eat plenty of fruits and vegetables rarely need vitamin C supplements. Taking vitamin C supplements does not prevent colds. Some studies show that vitamin C supplements may decrease the duration of a cold.

If you do take a supplement, do not get more than 2,000 mg/day of vitamin C from foods and supplements.  Although excess vitamin C is mostly eliminated in the urine, high doses can cause headaches, frequent urination, diarrhea and nausea. People with a history of kidney stones should avoid high levels of vitamin C.

For more information about nutrition and wellness, contact Jeannie Mullins, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent in the Scott County Extension Office at 452-2772.

Vitamin B12 In The Body

Vitamin B12 (also referred to as Cobalamin) is vitally important in maintaining several processes of your body. It is an important water soluble vitamin, and accumulates in your kidneys, liver, and other body tissues, unlike other water soluble vitamins which are excreted quickly in the urine. As is the case, a deficiency of vitamin B12 may not even become noticeable until after several years of a diet lacking adequate amounts. B12 works with folic acid in the synthesis of DNA and red blood cells, it is vastly important in maintaining the myelin sheath (the insulation sheath that covers nerve cells). It also helps to convert carbohydrates, fats and proteins from food into energy. In keeping your red blood cells healthy, you are also helping to prevent heart disease. It has also been shown to keep your immune system healthy as well.
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