However, no matter how great the vitamins are for us, do not forget that the surplus of these substances can be almost as dangerous as the deficiency. This is especially true for vitamin-containing drugs sold in pharmacies. As a result of excessive consumption of vitamins, hypervitaminosis occurs.
Some children eat vitamins, bought by parents, in unlimited quantities, replacing them with sweets. However, even candy-like vitamin tablets are the same medicines as any other tablet, and this must be remembered. For example, uncontrolled eating such vitamins, a child can exceed the amount of vitamin C needed by him 10 times, at a rate of 50 mg. in a day. Such negligent attitude towards vitamin preparations can lead to serious diseases and, as a rule, such cases are detected in children.
An example is the case where excessive intake of vitamin D has led to serious kidney problems in the child. Doctors for a long time could not determine the cause of the disease, until it became clear that the girl was eating almost the only vitamins that her grandmother bought her. This is what caused the disease.
Among the negative effects of excessive intake of vitamin A are weakness, baldness, problems with appetite, brittle bones. Excess vitamin B causes serious disturbances in enzymatic processes.
To date, scientists know a fairly large number of vitamins. The main ones are vitamins A, B1, B2, C, PP, E, D, K. Vitamins B1, B2, C, PP can be synthesized artificially.
Consider each of the types of vitamins in more detail.
Vitamin A increases immunity, improves skin condition, regulates the mucous membranes, ensures normal functioning of the retina. This vitamin is fat-soluble, so for its assimilation, the intake of fats is mandatory. In its pure form, a person can get vitamin A from such products as fish oil, milk, egg yolk and butter.
Also, our body can get vitamin A from carotene, which is abundant in carrots, red pepper, sorrel, pumpkin, salad, spinach, tomatoes and apricots. The conversion of carotene to vitamin A is the liver. However, our body can not get all the necessary vitamin A from carotene, at least one third of the norm should come in ready-made form from the products listed above.
Vitamin A has the property of accumulating in the body and deposited in the kidneys and liver, so you can not exceed the daily norm. For schoolchildren, it is 1.5 mg. per day.
Vitamins of group B are vitamins B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, PP. Vitamin B1 is responsible for our efficiency, vitality and vitality. With its deficiency, the body may experience headache, weakness in the muscles, chronic fatigue. And if vitamin B1 does not enter the body at all, it can lead to paralysis of the muscles of the limbs and even to a lethal outcome as a result of paralysis of the respiratory muscles. This vitamin does not accumulate in the body and must act continuously.
You can get vitamin B1 from bread, bran, brewer's yeast. It is also found in large quantities in egg yolk, beef liver, walnuts and beans. For school children, the norm of this vitamin is 1.4 mg. per day.
Vitamin B2 is responsible for fat metabolism and oxidation of carbohydrates, and cellular respiration also depends on it. Its lack in the body has a bad effect on development, there is a decrease in body weight, inflammation of the mucous membranes. Eggs, milk, brewer's yeast, wheat bran, cabbage, spinach and tomatoes are rich in vitamin B2. The norm of this vitamin is 1.9 mg. per day.
Nicotinic acid, more commonly known as vitamin PP , is of great importance for our central nervous system. When there is a lack of it in the body, sleep disturbances, headaches, dizziness, memory impairment, depressed mood and irritability are possible. Complete lack of vitamin PP in the body leads to dementia, disruption of the digestive system, the appearance of ulcers and scars on the skin. In large quantities, vitamin PP is found in milk, eggs, yeast, bran, cereal grains, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, spinach, lettuce, oranges, lemons and grapes. The norm for younger schoolchildren is 15 mg. per day.
In case the body lacks vitamin C (ascorbic acid), there is a decrease in immunity, a drowsy sleep state, rapid fatigue, deterioration of the teeth and gums.
With prolonged deficiency of this vitamin a person falls ill with scurvy. With this disease, the violations described above are increased tenfold. On the gums, ulcers are formed, the teeth begin to stagger and drop out, immunity is greatly reduced, frequent fractures occur because of the increased brittleness of the bones. Vitamin C does not accumulate in the body, so its constant consumption is simply necessary.
For the child's body, vitamin D is extremely necessary. Without it, normal bone formation is impossible. Get the necessary amount of this vitamin, you can eat fish oil, egg yolks and butter. For school children per day, it is necessary to receive 500 units of this vitamin.
To provide your body with the necessary vitamins it is enough to eat fully and diversely, and in the autumn and winter season supplement the food with vitamin-containing preparations. Is it useful to use excess vitamins? To avoid overdose of vitamins it is recommended not to use additives constantly, but to do it in cycles of 3-4 weeks with interruptions.