Weight Loss and Chromium

Metabolic syndrome is a condition that affects many people who are overweight or obese. As you can expect, the syndrome causes the thyroid glands to behave sluggish and not metabolize properly. This condition can further complicate weight loss.

This is where chromium comes in. Although it is a trace mineral (meaning the body requires it in only small amounts), it is vital to proper metabolism of body fat. Of course, chromium should be used in conjunction with a proper lifestyle program, but a diet deficient in chromium will cause serious problems.

Not only does chromium help in metabolism, it aids in the process of reducing cholesterol, curb cravings, converting glucose to energy and maintaining blood sugar levels.
While a chromium supplement is a viable option, it is best consumed in its natural form such as tomatoes, potatoes, whole grain cereals, wheat germ, romaine lettuce and raw onions.

Vitamin B and Weight Loss

B vitamins play an important part in weight loss and as such, they should not be ignored. Out of the 13 essential vitamins required by the body, 8 of them are from the B-complex group. So it should be no surprise that they are important to you. However, their importance stretches into the weight loss arena such as metabolism and red blood cell synthesis as well as the production of energy.

• Vitamin B1: Also called Thiamine, this is a vitamin which is required by the body for proper metabolism of starch and sugars in order to convert them into energy. Vitamin B1 also plays a role in helping the heart as well as other muscles function properly.
• Vitamin B2: Also known as Riboflavin, this vitamin is responsible for helping the thyroid glands and is also responsible for metabolism. B2 provides the body with energy as well and when you exercise it is used up. However, nutritional yeast is a great way to substitute for what is lost.
• Vitamin B3: Also known as Niacin, this vitamin helps normal thyroid hormone production.
• Vitamin B5: Also known as Pyridoxine, this b vitamin is responsible for the maintenance of and generating of energy in the body.
• Vitamin B6: Also known as Pantothentic Acid, this b vitamin is responsible for playing an integral role in the metabolism of fats especially those which are unsaturated. It is also responsible for ensuring that the metabolic system runs smoothly.
• Vitamin B12: Also known as Cyanocobalamin, this is the most popular of the b vitamins and is responsible for DNA regulation and synthesis. It is one of the most important substances required by the body and although it is only needed in small amounts, without it the body will be sick and metabolism will not function right.
  

Choline Weight Loss

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Choline, a grouping of Vitamin B complex and an organic compound, that is water soluble nutrient.

It is generally considered that 424 – 550 mg of this micronutrient is considered to be an adequate daily intake for adults, according to the Food and Nutrition Board at the ‘Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.’ The body does produce Choline on its own (usually on the tongue in the morning), however for weight loss, it is a suggestion that Choline be added as a dietary supplement.

Choline can help with such things as lipid metabolism, but there is not enough proof that this micronutrient will help with eliminating body fat, or that ingesting large quantities of Choline will increase the rate at which the body will metabolize extra fat.

Vitamin C and Weight Loss

Who would have thought the day would come when researches are studying the effects of Vitamin C and weight loss? We know Vitamin C is great for boosting the immune system, but thanks to new research done at Arizona State University, nutrition scientists have found direct correspondence between Vitamin C and the body's capacity to burn energy. They have found that the oxidation of fat is linked to the amount of Vitamin C present.

The researchers found that that the more Vitamin C present in the body affects the rate at which fat is burned. The study suggested that the more citrus fruits and other foods high in Vitamin C that were consumed, was the more fat was burned. Those who consumed an adequate amount of Vitamin C oxidized 30% more fat while doing normal exercise then those who didn't.

This is not to say that Vitamin C is the only thing responsible for losing weight, far from it, rather it's showing the importance of Vitamin C as a vitamin which is responsible for speeding up metabolism.

This study sheds a lot of light on the issue as Vitamin C deficiency affects 15% of adults in the USA. More importantly this figure has increased where as 25 years ago, only 3-5% of American adults suffered from Vitamin C deficiency.

The recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C for adults is anywhere between 2,000-3,000mg. One of the things is it's hard to overdose on Vitamin C. The body will pass out any excess which is not used. When you are sick or need to boost your immune system, you can easily boost your intake to 9-12,00mg.

Vitamin A for Weight Loss

Vitamin A is one of the most important vitamins required by the body for operation. Like all other vitamins (except for Vitamin C), it is not necessary to take large amounts but minute amounts are essential and without them, serious problems can arise.

Vitamin A is needed by the retina of the eye for light-absorbing functions. It also is used in an oxidized form as retinoic acid and is an important hormone-like growth factor among kids and adolescents in the epithelial and other cells.

The daily intake of Vitamin A varies from age group. Among infants age 0-6 months its recommended that 400 μg/day. 7-12 months, the intake is upped to 500 μg/day. Children 1-3 years is recommended to take between 300-400 μg/day while 4-8 year old children increase their allowance to 400-500 μg/day. Males 9-13, 600 μg/day, 14-18 900 μg/day, and 19-70+ 900-1200 μg/day.

Among females 9-13 years, 600-900 μg/day, 14-18 years 700-1000 μg/day, 19-70+ 700-1500 μg/day. For those who are pregnant and under 19 years of age, 750-1100 with a max intake of 2800 μg/day. 19-50+ pregnant woman 770-1200 with a max intake of 3000 μg/day.

The sources of Vitamin A is wide and can be found in such things as the liver of pork, beef, turkey and fish. In the vegetable kingdom it can be found in cantaloupe, broccoli, sweet potato, kale, spinach, pumpkin and mango.

Deficiency in Vitamin A can lead to major problems especially blindness in children. Between 250,000 and 500,000 children in developing countries become blind each year due to deficiency in Vitamin A. The lack of consumption of yellow and green veggies can lead to Vitamin A deficiency.

Inositol Benefits for Weight Loss

Inositol is found in the cell membrane of the body as an organic compound. It has been classified by research as part of the B vitamins group. Good sources of inositol include cantaloupe, citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges and grapefruits, cabbage and legumes.

Benefits

The benefits of inositol are numerous as it has been proven to keep cholesterol levels normal and thought to be effective in lowering blood pressure. It has also been shown to be beneficial to diabetics and those with liver problems.

Inositol is believed to play an important role in maintaining brain order and deficiency in inositol can cause depression, anxiety and panic attacks. Inositol is also effective in transporting fat throughout the body and can be beneficial in fighting cancer.

In weight loss supplements, inositol is one of the most powerful ingredients available and works to stimulate metabolism as well as burn excess fat. It can also provide a very good weight loss supplement for those with sluggish metabolic rates.

Where to purchase

Inositol can be purchased at a variety of health food stores as well as online. It can also be found in many diet supplements as well as body building websites and formulas.

Best Weight Loss Vitamins for Women

It has been long known that male and female organisms have different reactions on the same things including foods, drinks, and vitamins. Thus best weight loss vitamins for women could be not that useful and effective for men. It's worth saying that weight loss process in general goes in different ways in men and women due to different structure of fat cells. Consequently scientists have developed separate groups of vitamins that promote weight loss process for men and women.

So, for women the most important vitamins and minerals for weight loss are: Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Choline (part of B-complex), Inositol (part of B-complex), and Vitamin C. Of course it's better to intake these vitamins naturally but taking them in pills will also do (their variety is huge online). Just don't forget to get your doctor's approval before you start drinking any of them.

To promote weight loss it's also important to get more vitamins and elements that are useful for better health in general such as echinacea (for stronger immune system), ginger, lycopene (to avoid heart diseases - can be found in tomatoes), etc.