Among the fat-soluble vitamins, Vitamin A is the first to be unveiled. It is a pale yellow primary alcohol that came from carotene. It usually affects the maintenance and formation of the skin, bones, teeth and mucous membrane as well as vision and reproduction.
Vitamin A is also called retinol and it is popularly known for helping the eyes adjust to light changes. This vitamin is mostly sourced from animal foods such as liver, fish liver oil, milk and other milk products, eggs and butter.
It is advisable that Vitamin A be obtained from the diet rather than from the supplements. It is because Vitamin A acquired from a varied diet provides the optimum potential of heath benefits that supplements cannot.
Vitamin A can also be found in various dark green and deep orange fruits and vegetables including carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, bok choy, turnip greens, mustard greens and romaine lettuce.
Liver is a very rich source of Vitamin A since it is chiefly stocked in the liver of animals and humans. There are also small amounts of this vitamin in most human tissues. this kind of Vitamin A is found in chemical forms dubbed as retinoids. The rest of the Vitamin A in the human and animal bodies is produced in the intestines from the beta-carotene and other carotenoids, which is abundant in many vegetables and fruits. The beta-carotene is the most active carotenoid but it is inefficiently sucked up and transformed to retinol compared to the Vitamin A that comes from animal sources. The top sources of beta-carotene include carrots, pumpkins, broccoli, apricots, spinach and collard greens, sweet potato and cantaloupe.
Vitamin A intake is unquestionably necessary to human health. If you didn't acquire the right amount of this vitamin, you will become A-deficient. This deficiency is called Hypovitaminosis A. Vitamin A deficiency can cause xerophthalmia which can lead to night blindness. Other symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency are skin dryness, susceptibility to bacterial invasion and dryness of the eyes caused by malfunctioning of the tear glands. However, sufficient amount of Vitamin A has so many health benefits.
Vitamin A is best known for promoting as well as maintaining healthy eyesight. This vitamin helps the eye's retina to function well. Vitamin A is also very significant for the veracity of the mucous membranes around the eyes.
Vitamin A is really helpful in inhibiting night blindness as well as in helping the eyes to adjust from bright light to darkness. Aside from that, eyedrops with Vitamin A are also effective in curing eye disorder specifically dry eye which is due to the tear glands' inability to secrete sufficient fluid.
Guards the body against infections like flu, colds and bronchitis. Vitamin A is also known as "the anti-infective vitamin". It plays an important role in guarding the body from infection. Vitamin A can be very valuable in fighting colds and other common infections by sustaining the healthy maintenance of the mucous membrane. This nutrient also keeps the body surfaces healthy to make them capable of attacking micro organisms. In case of chronic bronchitis, Vitamin A promotes curing of lung tissues that are damaged.
Also, Vitamin A encourages and improves many immune functions like antibody response and the activity of different white blood cells including phagocytes and T helper cells. This immune-enhancing function of Vitamin A helps heal the infected tissues of the body and boosts its resistance to infection.
Helps fight cancer. Aside from boosting the immune system, Vitamin A may also be of value in fighting breast and lung cancer as well as in escalating the rate of survival of those who are suffering from leukemia. This nutrient can also guard the body against the progression of a melanoma, a type of skin cancer that's usually malignant. Moreover, studies show that cancer patients encompassing high vitamin A intakes usally have good response to chemotherapy treatment.
Aids in normal pregnancy and fetal development. Due to its imperative role in cell development and differentiation, sufficient amount of Vitamin A helps in ensuring that the changes taking place in the cells and tissues during fetal growth normally happens.
Heals skin diseases like acne, rosacea, eczema as well as psoriasis. Studies proved that Vitamin A is necessary in achieving healthy skin
Protects the body against certain gastrointestinal problems. Vitamin A is helpful in protecting the lining of the digestive tract. Thus, it may relieve symptoms of ulcers and inflammatory bowel disease.
Promotes health of epithelial cells. This nutrient is necessary in forming healthy epithelial cells. These cells include the internal and external surfaces of the body and are located in the lungs, skin, inner ear, developing teeth, sex organs, gums, nose, sex organs, glands and their ducts, cervix and other body parts. Most epithelial cells generate mucus, which is needed to lubricate body surfaces and defend micro organisms that may attack the body.
The human body needs sufficient amount of Vitamin A daily so make sure to include Vitamin A-rich foods in your diet. If you're taking Vitamin A supplements, it must be taken with food. Some fat in your diet will improve absorption.
2008年3月4日星期二
2008年3月2日星期日
Halloween Activities for Young Children
Celebrate the annual Fright Night with these sixteen fun (and not so scary) ideas, especially for young children.
1. Try your hand at face painting, or allow your children to paint their own faces with washable face paints.
2. Make your own goodie bags. Set out some brown paper bags with the standard art supplies or embellish an old pillowcase with fabric paints. You can even spring for blank canvas baggies from your local discount store or craft store without spending a lot.
3. Tie dye some T shirts or socks using orange and black fabric dyes.
4. Make ghosts. Fold a piece of black construction paper in half and let your child squirt white paint inside. Squish the paint, let dry, then embellish the white ghost with paints, markers and other craft supplies.
5. Watch a Halloween movie. Make popcorn, cuddle up together in blankets, and take in some spooky cinematic sights. Harry Potter, Dracula, or Ghostbusters are great choices. For younger children, choose Heffalump Halloween, starring Winnie the Pooh or The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad by Disney Classics.
6. Eat creepy cuisine. Cut sandwiches or tortillas into Halloween shapes with cookie cutters. Create a ghoulish look with almost anything by mixing in a little green or red food coloring.
7. Play "Guess How Many Pumpkin Seeds." Each family member or party guest gets to take turns guessing how many pumpkin seeds are in a jar. The winner gets a prize.
8. Go apple bobbing. Fill a bucket or tub with water and apples and see how many apples each contestant can snag.
9. Make masks. Set out the art supplies and see who can make the scariest mask with a paper plate, construction paper, yarn, and markers or paints.
10. Create a family costume. Come up with a costume theme that the whole family can participate in. One year, we were all Star Wars characters. Maybe you will all be people from the Wild West or fuzzy forest animals.
11. Have a pumpkin seed spitting contest.
12. Roast pumpkin seeds. Clean the pumpkin seeds and toss them in just enough melted butter to lightly cover the seeds. (One tablespoon of butter is generally enough for the seeds from a medium sized pumpkin.) Salt the seeds, then spread them on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake at 250 degrees until golden brown, stirring occasionally.
13. Play Pin the Tail on the Black Cat (or Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin.) Any variation of Pin the Tail on the Donkey is fun for young kids.
14. Make a Scare Tape. Record you and your family members making spooky sounds. All you need is a tape recorder and a little imagination. Include footsteps, slamming doors, creepy howling werewolves, and crazy cackles. Play the tape from your front porch on Halloween.
15. Give each child an inexpensive disposable camera for the big night. This is a fun way to see what Halloween looks like from their perspective. I love to give my kids a blank journal and let them tell the story of memorable events, such as Halloween. This is a great tradition and really helps them to tell their personal stories, which they will cherish for many Halloweens to come.
16. Once Halloween is over, make sure to shop the post Halloween sales for fun additions to your dress up closet, which your young children are sure to enjoy year round.
Happy haunting!
1. Try your hand at face painting, or allow your children to paint their own faces with washable face paints.
2. Make your own goodie bags. Set out some brown paper bags with the standard art supplies or embellish an old pillowcase with fabric paints. You can even spring for blank canvas baggies from your local discount store or craft store without spending a lot.
3. Tie dye some T shirts or socks using orange and black fabric dyes.
4. Make ghosts. Fold a piece of black construction paper in half and let your child squirt white paint inside. Squish the paint, let dry, then embellish the white ghost with paints, markers and other craft supplies.
5. Watch a Halloween movie. Make popcorn, cuddle up together in blankets, and take in some spooky cinematic sights. Harry Potter, Dracula, or Ghostbusters are great choices. For younger children, choose Heffalump Halloween, starring Winnie the Pooh or The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad by Disney Classics.
6. Eat creepy cuisine. Cut sandwiches or tortillas into Halloween shapes with cookie cutters. Create a ghoulish look with almost anything by mixing in a little green or red food coloring.
7. Play "Guess How Many Pumpkin Seeds." Each family member or party guest gets to take turns guessing how many pumpkin seeds are in a jar. The winner gets a prize.
8. Go apple bobbing. Fill a bucket or tub with water and apples and see how many apples each contestant can snag.
9. Make masks. Set out the art supplies and see who can make the scariest mask with a paper plate, construction paper, yarn, and markers or paints.
10. Create a family costume. Come up with a costume theme that the whole family can participate in. One year, we were all Star Wars characters. Maybe you will all be people from the Wild West or fuzzy forest animals.
11. Have a pumpkin seed spitting contest.
12. Roast pumpkin seeds. Clean the pumpkin seeds and toss them in just enough melted butter to lightly cover the seeds. (One tablespoon of butter is generally enough for the seeds from a medium sized pumpkin.) Salt the seeds, then spread them on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake at 250 degrees until golden brown, stirring occasionally.
13. Play Pin the Tail on the Black Cat (or Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin.) Any variation of Pin the Tail on the Donkey is fun for young kids.
14. Make a Scare Tape. Record you and your family members making spooky sounds. All you need is a tape recorder and a little imagination. Include footsteps, slamming doors, creepy howling werewolves, and crazy cackles. Play the tape from your front porch on Halloween.
15. Give each child an inexpensive disposable camera for the big night. This is a fun way to see what Halloween looks like from their perspective. I love to give my kids a blank journal and let them tell the story of memorable events, such as Halloween. This is a great tradition and really helps them to tell their personal stories, which they will cherish for many Halloweens to come.
16. Once Halloween is over, make sure to shop the post Halloween sales for fun additions to your dress up closet, which your young children are sure to enjoy year round.
Happy haunting!
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