vitamin power

Evidence is accumulating for a role of CoQ10 in the treatment of mitochondrial disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A number of case reports suggest a beneficial effect of supplemental CoQ in patients with known mitochondrial disorders. Perhaps the strongest evidence for a beneficial effect of CoQ supplements comes, however, from animal studies. Oral administration of CoQ10 produces dose-dependent neuroprotective effects against lesions produced by mitochondrial toxins. CoQ10 also protects against 1-methyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) toxicity in mice. Furthermore, CoQ10 supplementation exerts neuroprotective effects in transgenic mouse models of familial ALS and Parkinson's disease. The potential efficacy of CoQ10 in Parkinson's and Huntington's disease is currently being evaluated in human clinical trials.

Medical treatment has been shifted to being more prophylactic as a recent trend. Postgenomic research has unveiled the fact that nutritional intervention has been strongly associated with genetic expressions, which are responsible for a variety of biological functions. Based on these findings, the prophylactic effects of dietary supplement and nutrient have been investigated. Preventing or retarding the onset of diseases has become a more attractive and cost effective strategy in the medical arena. Among other approaches to prevent diseases, antioxidants, which are found in many phytochemicals, have received much attention. However, most natural antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and others are biologically unstable, poorly soluble in water, and poorly distributed to target sites. Because of these shortcomings further prophylactic applications of dietary supplements have stagnated. This is partially due to a lack of basic awareness of drug delivery system for dietary supplements and nutrient

This vitamin promotes the body's absorption of calcium, which is essential for the normal development and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones. It also helps maintain adequate blood levels of calcium and phosphorus, which are minerals necessary for many functions.

Suboptimal vitamin K status which is far more common than outright deficiency may contribute to the progression of osteoporosis and atherosclerosis; research in these areas is promising but preliminary. 4-hydroxy coumarins are vitamin K antagonists that interfere with reactivation of the vitamin and suppress production of mature Gla-proteins needed for coagulation. Some 4-hydroxy coumarins are medically important anticoagulants, others are used as rodenticides.

Eicosanoid synthesis: Eicosanoids are chemical messengers derived from 20-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids that play critical roles in immune and inflammatory responses. Both 20-carbon omega-6 fatty acids (arachidonic acid) and 20-carbon omega-3 fatty acids (EPA) can be found in cell membranes.