Infection, resistance vitamin

The first clues to the treatment of scurvy occurred in 1535—1536 when Jacques Cartier, on advice from Newfoundland Indians, fed his crew an extract from spmce tree needles to cure an epidemic. Various physicians were recommending the use of citms fmits to cure scurvy in the mid-sixteenth century. Two hundred years later, in 1753, it was proved by Dr. James Lind, in his famous clinical experiment, that scurvy was associated with diet and caused by lack of fresh vegetables. He also demonstrated that oranges and lemons were the most effective cure against this disease. In 1753, inM Treatise on the Scurvy[ Lind pubhshed his results and recommendations (7). Eorty-two years later, in 1795, the British Navy included lemon juice in seamen s diets, resulting in the familiar nickname "limeys" for British seamen. Evidence has shown that even with undefined scorbutic symptoms, vitamin C levels can be low, and can cause marked diminution in resistance to infections and slow healing of wounds. 

Hippophae rhamnoides L. Sha Ji (Sea buckthorn) (seed, fruit, leaf) Cryptoxanthin, harman, harmol, hemin, isorhamnetin, lycopene, serotonin, isorhamnetin-3-mono-beta-D-glucoside, polyphenols, fatty acids flavonoid, essential oils, tannins, quercitin, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotenoid.50-450 Improve resistance to infection, skin irritation and eruption, treat heart disease, oil for cosmetic use. 

N.A. Carotenoid, flavonoid, essential oil, fatty acids, tannins, quercitin, provitamin A, vitamins , complex, and E.102-139-140141 Improve resistance to infection, skin irritation and eruptions. Treat heart conditions, good source of vitamins C and E. 

Vitamin A is necessary for growth and reproduction, resistance to infection, maintenance and differentiation of epithelial tissues, stability and integrity of membrane structures, and the process of vision. In terms of the last function, vitamin A is a component of rhodopsin or visual purple, a photosensitive pigment in the eye that is needed for vision in dim light. An early mild clinical symptom of vitamin A deficiency is night blindness a severe deficiency of this fat-soluble vitamin results in xerophthalmia, an eye condition leading to blindness. 

A strikingly early symptom of vitamin A deficiency is night blindness. A variety of other symptoms include dry skin and hair, conjunctivitis of the eyes, retardation of growth, and low resistance to infection. The skin symptoms are particularly noticeable in the internal respiratory passages and alimentary canal lining. About 0.7 mg/day of vitamin A is required by an adult. The content of vitamin A in foods is often expressed in terms of international units 1.0 mg of retinol equals 33331.U. 

The principal physiological functions of tins vitamin include growth, production of visual purple, maintenance of skin and epithelial cells, resistance to infection, gluconeogenesis. mucopolysaccharide synthesis, bone development, maintenance of myelin and membranes, maintenance of color and peripheral vision, maintenance of adrenal cortex and steroid hormone synthesis, Specific vitamin A deficiency diseases include xerophthalmia, nyctalopia, hemeralopia, keratomalacia, and hyperkeratosis. 

It has been known for many years that vitamin A deficiency is associated with increased susceptibility to bacterial, parasitic, and viral infections. Decreased resistance to infections has been... 

Heavy users of drugs often liave erratic lifestyles that mtetfere with regular sleep, good nutrition, and healtliful habits of liygiene and exercise. In addition, the drugs they take may suppress appetite, rob the body of vitamins, and upset normal metabolism. All of these effects can lead to such chronic problems as malnutrition, anemia, and decreased resistance to infection For example, dietary deficiencies m the alcoholic greatly increase the liver s susceptibility to the toxicity of alcohol and contribute to the development of Cirrhosis ... 

It is a yellow, oily substance, which occurs in nature in butter fat and fish oils. Lack of Vitamin A in the diet causes a scaly condition of the eyes, and similar abnormality of the skin in general, together with a decreased resistance to infection of the eyes and skin. In addition there occurs a decreased ability to see at night, called night-blindness. There... 

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is essential in the development and maintenance of cells and tissues. It cannot be synthesized in the body and so is an essential requirement in the diet. Good food sources are vegetabies and citrus fruits. Deficiency eventually leads to scurvy but before that, there is a decreased resistance to infection, and other disorders are seen particularly with the elderly. Vitamin C supplements are rarely necessary with a normal diet. There have been claims that pharmacological doses help prevent colds, and it is incorporated into a number of cold remedies. 

Iron deficiency is the most common cause of resistance to erythropoietic therapy. Evaluation and treatment of iron deficiency should occur prior to initiation of erythropoietic therapy as previously discussed (see Figs. 44—1 and 44—2). Inflammation (localized or systemic infection, active inflammatory disease, or surgical trauma) is associated with defective iron utilization known as reticuloendothelial block. Reticuloendothelial block is characterized by a reduction in iron delivery from body stores to the bone marrow, and is generally refractory to iron therapy. Failure to respond to erythropoietic therapy requires evaluation of other factors causing resistance, such as infection, inflammation, chronic blood loss, aluminum toxicity, hemoglobinopathies, malnutrition, and hyperparathyroidism. Erythropoietic therapy may be continued in the infected or postoperative patient, although increased doses are often required to maintain or slow the rate of decline in Hgb/Hct. Deficiencies in folate and vitamin Bi2 should also be considered as potential causes of resistance to erythropoietic therapy, as both are essential for optimal erythropoiesis. Patients on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis should be routinely... 

Vitamin C raises the general resistance the body has a-gainst infections. Its deficiency in alcoholics has not yet been clearly correlated to their increased susceptibility for disease, however. 

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