Vitamins

t angina (cardiovascular distress), for reasons not yet understood.
The B vitamin group is very important. B1 or thiamin found in meats, whole grains and nuts, serves in carbohydrate metabolism and production of ribose for RNA and DNA. B2 or Riboflavin, in liver, milk, cheese, meat and fortified grains, functions as a coenzyme to help cells use oxygen to get energy from food. B6 or pyroxidine, found in meats, shellfish, whole grains and vegetables, also serves as a coenzyme in protein metabolism. B12, found in the same foods and in milk products, serves as a coenzyme in nucleic acid synthesis and development of red blood cells. Deficiencies of the B group can cause anemia, skin problems and other diseases.
Other vitamins include niacin, folacin (folic acid), biotin and pantothenic acid, all of which serve as coenzymes to help synthesize fat, form vital chemicals in the life processes, or assist in energy metabolism for the body processes. Some typical symptoms of deficiency are fatigue, depression or anemia. Recently, it has been found that Vitamin K, a fat soluble substance, is essential in the blood-clotting process and it is hoped that it can be applied to treatment of hemophilia, wound or surgery recovery and other medical problems.
As a group, vitamins are often confused with the many hundreds of minerals that are also need for basic growth and maintenance functions of the body. Like vitamins, most minerals can also be found in foods, but shortages of minerals are also possible. There have also been unproven claims for vitamins in general, such as that supplements increase childrens IQ. Probably the greatest confusion exists about Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), a substance found in many vegetables and fruits, and needed for holding body cells together, h