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During my in-depth study of general nutrition,
I was also forced to learn a great deal about vitamins. What I learned
first excited me and later disturbed me. The exciting part was the
impact of vitamins on metabolism. This, of course, was of prime
interest to me since metabolism is such a key factor in weight loss.
The
human body relies on complex chemical reactions to keep all processes
running at an optimum level. Working as coenzymes, vitamins are
the catalysts that propel these chemical reactions. They actually
regulate and support the metabolic process. Vitamin deficiencies,
then, correlate with obesity because they are necessary for the
metabolism of macronutrients like carbohydrates and proteins. Even
more, vitamins are vital for the growth and repair of the body;
strong bones, healthy skin, eyesight, blood clotting, thinking ability
– nearly every aspect of our health.
But
the body cannot make many of these vitamins itself. Some are stored
(such as fat-soluble vitamins), while others (like water-soluble
vitamins) must constantly be replenished because they are excreted
through urine. Most of the vitamins we need are found naturally
in raw vegetables, fruits, and legumes. But in reality, raw vegetables
make up a scant part of the typical American diet today. |
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