Dr. Curtis McElroy

Category: Health

  • Is Taking Vitamins Necessary

    Why Is Adequate Vitamin Intake So Important

    Performing a plethora of roles to maintain good health and development, vitamins are essential nutrients that we can’t live without.
    Yet there are so many that perform wonders without our even actually being aware of it, until we don’t get sufficient amounts and problem occur.

    vitamins

    Vitamins are characterized by the following:

    • They’re found naturally in food, with varying amounts
    • They can’t be made by the body (save for vitamin D after sun exposure)
    • They are organic in their structure and can be broken down by air, heat or acid, making it more difficult for your body to absorb them since cooking and storage affects their chemical structure – even exposure to air.
    • They’re crucial for normal and healthy development and functions
    • When they become absent from the diet, it can cause certain deficiencies

    There are 13 essential vitamins which are divided into 2 categories:

    Water-soluble

    – B vitamins
    – Biotin (vitamin B7)
    – Folic acid (folate, vitamin B9)
    – Niacin (vitamin B3)
    – Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5
    – Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
    – Thiamin (vitamin B1)
    – Vitamin B6
    – Vitamin B12
    – Vitamin C

    These vitamins need to be replenished on a daily basis since they’re easily absorbed into the bloodstream as food is digested or supplements are dissolved. Present in the watery sections of the food you eat, water-soluble vitamins are continuously regulated via your kidneys. Any excess is flushed out with urine.

    Some of the roles these vitamins play are:

    – produce and release energy
    – boost immune system
    – maintain tissue health
    – build proteins and cells
    – Produce collagen present in skin cells, blood vessel walls and gums that aids in the process of healing wounds

    Fat-soluble

    – Vitamin A
    – Vitamin D
    – Vitamin E
    – Vitamin K

    These vitamins are quite difficult to figure out because we’re more likely to be deficient in these types of vitamins; yet taking them for prolonged periods of time, especially supplements, can be toxic and very harmful to your health. These vitamins aren’t as easily transported through the body as water-soluble vitamins.

    In fact, any excess is stored in the liver and fat tissues for up to 6 months. First, they’re absorbed through the intestinal wall, then they enter the lymph vessels before making their way into the bloodstream.

    Most fat-soluble vitamins need a protein carrier to facilitate their movement throughout the body.

    Fat -soluble vitamins are responsible for the following:

    – protect vision
    – build bones
    – protect the body against illnesses, diseases, and free radical damage
    – blood clotting
    – formation of healthy red blood cells
    – interact together favorably to enhance absorption

    Vitamin Deficiencies

    Unfortunately, nutrient deficiencies are extremely common. The main culprits are poor diet, digestive problems, or chronic stress.

    “Nutrient deficiencies alter bodily functions and processes at the most basic cellular level,” says lecturer at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health in Washington, DC, Tricia L. Psota, PhD, RDN. “These processes include water balance, enzyme function, nerve signaling, digestion, and metabolism.

    Resolving these deficiencies is important for optimal growth, development, and function.” They can also lead to diseases and chronic illnesses.

    A common example is the lack of vitamin D and calcium can cause osteoporosis, a condition characterized by brittle bones.

    People who are at most risk for nutritional deficiencies are:

    – the elderly
    – athletes who train intensively for long periods of time
    – those with low income
    – smokers
    – consumers of alcoholic beverages

    Some of the most common symptoms of vitamin deficiency are:

    – hair loss
    – oral health problems
    – muscle cramps in the calves and arches of the feet
    – muscle weakness
    – fatigue
    – shortness of breath
    – dizziness
    – irregular heartbeats
    – mental fogginess

    Every one of the 13 vitamins has a certain role but each also works in unison with the other 12 to lead to best possible physical condition.

    This is why it’s so important to eat a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, dairy, whole grains, beans and lentils, lean meat, and fish to make sure you’re getting all the essential nutrients your body needs to prevent deficiency, promote fat loss and enhance muscle gain.

    Supplements and multivitamins are a great way to make sure you’re getting the vitamins you need. Talk to your doctor to make sure you’re getting the right amount instead of getting too little and not getting the most out of your supplements or getting too much and increasing your risk for toxic reactions.

    A simple blood test is all you need to know whether or not you’re vitamin deficient.

  • Is A Low Carb Diet Safe For Kids?

    Is A Low Carb Diet Safe For Kids?

    The views on whether a low carb diet is safe for kids are mixed.

    Some people believe that kids benefit from low carb diets because they lower their wheat and sugar intake.

    They believe parents don’t need to be as strict about having a child in the healthy weight range because their insulin sensitivity is more sensitive than adults are so they can handle carbs more efficiently.

    The View That Low Carb Diets Are Safe

    For those who feel that kids are safe on a low fat diet, they need to think about which foods are beneficial for kids for things like their lunch boxes. They think that families of kids eating regular carb diets just put two slices of bread, some peanut butter, or salami together and that’s good enough for their child’s lunch. The wheat in the sandwich is 80 percent carbohydrates, which means they will soon be hungry again.

    People who feed their kids a low carb diet take away the bread in their child’s meal but keep the parts that are nutritious, such as the salad, mayonnaise, cheese, and meat. They feel that the child won’t be deficient in nutrients by giving up the carbs. For them, bread is a filler and not necessary in their child’s diet. They believe that eating a low carb diet high in good fats, proteins, and vegetables will more than compensate for the vitamins and fiber found in high carb diets.

    While everyone’s been told to eat whole grains, the scientific evidence indicates that when whole grain flour is turned into white flour, there is a reduction in diabetes, heart disease, and colon cancer. By eating more vegetables in a low carb/high fat diet, your child will get the benefit from this and that makes up for the loss of vitamin B and fiber that happens when they stop eating wheat products.

    Starting A Low Carb Diet

    Starting a low carb diet is not very difficult. The following tips are suggested when starting your child on a low carb diet:

    • Think about how many vegetables are in your kid’s diet. A good low carb diet still should contain plenty of carb-rich vegetables. The same is true for healthy fats. Just keep out anything made with sugar and flour, as they have no nutritional benefit.

    • Use cold meat as a wrap. Wrap a slice of roast beef or ham and put some vegetables or cheese inside. Roll them up as you would a wrap, and you have healthy low carb meal.

    • Start slowly. If you have a kid that is a fussy eater, he or she won’t want to go “low carb” right away. Change just one thing at a time, such as removing the bread first but keeping everything else the same.

    • Get a lunch box with small compartments in them. Instead of a lunch box, use a tackle box that has small compartments to put their low carb foods in them.

    • Think about what you would generally put into a sandwich and give your child that without the bread. Kids will enjoy picking through the sandwich fillers and grazing on low carb foods.

    Low carb diets are extremely popular. They use high fat, high protein foods while getting rid of the legumes, fruits, and grains that add to the carb count in high carb diets. Your teenagers might be particularly interested in low carb diets as they promise some sort of weight loss.

    The View That Low Carb Diets Are Bad

    Those that think that low carbs are bad for kids report that the wheat in carbohydrate-containing foods causes poor absorption of vitamins and leaky gut syndrome.

    Wheat contains gluten and amylopectin, which can cause allergies in kids. Bread and similar products, like wraps, are highly processed and provide little nutrition. Wheat has a high glycemic index that leads to a rapid influx of sugar into the child’s bloodstream.

    They believe that children need carbohydrates. Experts feel that about half of all the calories kids eat should come from carbohydrates. According to these beliefs, the body’s preferred energy source is carbohydrates in the form of yogurt, milk, vegetables, fruits, and grains.

    They don’t however believe that you should give kids the carbs found in baked goods, candy, and sugary beverages. Instead, they should eat healthy carbs, such as those found in fruits and vegetables. You don’t need bad carbs in order to stay healthy.

    Those who believe that low carbs are bad for you think that drastically lowering the carbs in your child’s diet may be bad for them. Cutting back on carbs can lead to several types of nutrient deficiencies, and is low in vitamin B and fiber.

    Additionally, when you lower the high carb foods in your child’s diet, there isn’t much left for them to eat. Kids load up on fat and protein to make up for the lack of carbohydrates. Low carbohydrate diets can lower a child’s energy level, which can be problematic for kids who are athletes.

  • Dealing With Depression When You Are A Man

    Signs Of Depression In Men And What to do About It

    Cultures around the world have long considered men to be permanently stoic and emotionless. Research has revealed that this misconception is often forced upon men at childhood, leaving them with very few tools to deal with their emotions. Recent studies have also shown that depression in men is far more common than previously known, and that it affects men from all ethnic, financial, and educational backgrounds. Due to societal norms, men have been found to be far more adept at hiding their emotional state, making diagnosis much more challenging. In the following article we’ll be looking at some of the signs of depression in men, and what can be done about them.

    Stress

    Men have been known to report stress rather than depression, either out of unawareness, or because it is more socially acceptable to report their negative experience as stress. This phenomena contributes heavily to the difficulty in determining if a man has depression.

    Sleep problems

    Problems with sleep patterns may emerge when a man has depression. In most normal cases, a person may feel sad for a few days, but in cases of major depression, symptoms appear and can last for weeks. Another one of the most common symptoms is loss of sleep or irregular sleep patterns.

    Stomachache or backache

    Sometimes depression can manifest itself in physical ways. One signal that the symptom is depression related, is that the symptom cannot be detected or treated in the usual ways. This is commonly true of depression based aches and pains.

    Difficulty Concentrating

    Studies have shown that cognitive function is heavily influenced by depression. It is common for the person with depression to have a hard time concentrating on even the most familiar tasks.

    What You Can Do

    Seek Professional Help

    Speaking with a professional that has experience with depression can help you to find solutions. A doctor may suggest medications or therapy to help you to sort out, or get to the root of what is causing the depression. Medications can cause side effects that could give you a new set of issues, so it’s import to weigh these options carefully with your doctor.

    Exercise

    It has been known for a long time that exercise can be a way to manage depression. Although it may be difficult, having a good workout can release endorphins that can chemically ease the feelings caused by depression.

Copyright @ 2017 DrCurtisMcElroy