Posted on : June 21, 2008
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HTML clipboardIn order for a person to actually have a healthy well being, one must always
remember to have an adequate daily intake of the prescribed vitamins, minerals
and other nutrients that your body needs in order for it to stay healthy and
fit. Unfortunately, due to stress and the increasingly fast paced
environment that we``re often subjected to, it``s quite easy to neglect one``s
body, most importantly one``s health. It is actually alarming how a lot of
people just seem to not actually mind the damage that they``re bringing to their
bodies. However, obesity and heart failure is starting to cause a big dent on
the American population. It``s high time that we act on this problem right now.
Starting with the various vitamins and minerals that directly influence the
nervous system``s proper functioning and health as well as to keep note of the
importance of just taking it on moderate levels. The Vitamin B complex is
one of the most important vitamins that can have a great influence on a
person``s health as well as on one``s physical and mental performance concerning
the nervous system. It is a part of the group of nutrients which are responsible
for the creation of some of the most basic structures in the nervous system.
Vitamin B12, also referred to as cobalamin due to its cobalt content, has a
highly significant role in both the formation of the nervous system as well as
in the maintenance of its proper functions. It also helps in the formation of
the nerve cells themselves, the most basic of the nervous system structures.
A person lacking in vitamin B12 can actually suffer from irreversible spinal
cord degeneration when things get out of hand. Adults need 2.4 micrograms of
Vitamin B12 daily while pregnant and breastfeeding women should increase their
intake to between 2.6 and 2.8 micrograms daily. Children, depending on their age
and physical size, should have between .9 micrograms and 2.4 micrograms of
Vitamin B12 per day. The other B complex vitamins important to the nervous
system include B9 also referred to as folate or folic acid which in addition to
its role in the upkeep of the adult nervous system is also involved in the
production of neurotransmitters. Adults are actually required to have 400
micrograms of folic acid daily while pregnant women should increase their daily
intake to 600 micrograms however, breastfeeding women should only increase their
daily intake to 500 micrograms. Depending on size and weight, children should
take in between 150 micrograms and 300 micrograms of folic acid each day.
Among the minerals that serve to help enhance the functioning of the nervous
system is calcium. In addition to its other equally important health benefits,
calcium also has a role in keeping the nerves healthy as well as to ensure their
ability to communicate effectively. While magnesium is the mineral which can
help the body make use of calcium most efficiently, it has a very important role
in the upkeep of the nervous system. The lack of magnesium in the body can
actually contribute to nervousness and confusion, while a lack of potassium can
lead to nervous disorders. Proper nourishment greatly affects every aspect
of the body``s efficiency and function and in turn, has a positive effect on the
quality of one``s life. The body functions based on a delicate balance of system
from chemical reactions. The nutrients that you put in your body actually make
up a large part of these essential chemicals and it is highly important to have
a conscious effort in trying to trying to maintain the proper amount of certain
vitamins, minerals and nutrients in one``s body. Nutritional supplements are a
good way to help ensure one``s healthy well being, however, one must never rely
on these supplements to actually give you all the nutrients that your body
needs. A conscious effort to stay healthy is also being able to keep a
healthy, well balanced diet, a happy disposition and regular exercise. However,
if unsure of the best dietary supplements for you or if you are somewhat
overwhelmed by the countless dietary supplements that are available in the
market today, a consultation with a licensed nutritionist can actually help you
devise a personalized nutritional supplement plan that is best suited to your
individual dietary needs and health goals.