Vitamins healing

In this period, the empirical healing of certain diseases by foods was estabUshed. Examples (3) were the treatment of night blindness (vitamin A deficiency) with hver ia many cultures over centuries, of beriberi (vitamin deficiency) by use of unpoHshed rice by the Japanese navy, of scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) by citms fmits ia the British navy or piae needle extracts by North American natives, and pellagra (niacia deficiency) by a dietary shift away from corn-based foods ia many countries. Other, nondietary empirical treatments iavolved, eg, exposure of children ia northern latitudes to sunlight to cute tickets (vitamin D deficiency) (4). 

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. 

Panthenol is frequently used in ointments and solutions for the treatment of burns, anal fissures, and inflammation of the conjunctiva. The vitamin has to be substituted in patients on total parenteral nutrition and in those who regularly undergo dialysis. Hypervitamin-osis has not been observed for doses up to 5 g/d (22). Furthermore, the administration of pantothenic acid leads to improved surgical wound healing due to its antiinflammatory properties. 

Bartlett MK, Jones CM, Ryan AE (1942) Vitamin C and wound healing II.. corbie acid content and tensile strength of healing wounds in human beings. N EngJ J Med 226 474-481... 

Complementary and alternative medicines A group of practices and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine, including alternative medical systems (e.g., homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine), mind-body interventions (e.g., meditation and mental healing), biologically-based therapies (e.g., dietary supplements, vitamins, herbs, and other natural products), manipulative body-based methods (e.g., acupuncture and massage), and energy therapies (e.g., therapeutic touch and bioelectromagnetic-based therapies). 

Spontaneous reports of osteoporosis, osteopenia, bone fractures, and delayed healing of bone fractures have been seen in the isotretinoin population. While causality to isotretinoin has not been established, an effect cannot be ruled out. Physicians should use caution when prescribing isotretinoin to patients with a genetic predisposition for age-related osteoporosis, a history of childhood osteoporosis conditions, osteomalacia, or other disorders of bone metabolism. This would include patients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and those who are on chronic drug therapy that causes drug-induced osteoporosis/osteomalacia and/or affects vitamin D metabolism, such as systemic corticosteroids and any anticonvulsants. 

The animals treated with 200, 400, and 800 lU A showed a healing effect of vitamin A on the cornified vaginal epithelium as early as 2 days after starting the experiment. In the smear of all concentrations, almost exclusively leukocytes — indicating a successful healing and mucosal regeneration — with only sporadic epithelial cells and squamous cells... 

Complementary and alternative medicine CAM. Forms of treatment that are used in addition to (complementary) or instead of (alternative) standard treatments. These practices are not considered standard medical approaches. CAM includes dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation. [NIH]... 

In vitamin C avitaminosis, or scurvy, the joints become painful and the gums bleed and deteriorate, resulting in tooth loss. Gangrene and infections may also occur, and wounds do not heal properly. These symptoms all result from impaired collagen synthesis and... 

Adverse effects include aspiration pneumonia, perianal pruritus, healing in perianal region may be delayed, unpleasant taste, the absorption of fat soluble vitamins may be affected. Long-term administration is not recommended. 

Deficiency symptoms In vitamin C deficiency scurvy develops. It is characterized by ecchymosis, petechiae, swollen and bleeding gums, subperiosteal haemorrhage, bones are painful to touch, impaired wound healing, anaemia, loosening of teeth and gingivitis. 

Shukla A, Rasik A, Patnaik M (1997) Depletion of reduced glutathione, ascorbic acid, vitamin E and antioxidant defense enzymes in healing cutaneous wounds. Free Radic Res 26(2) 93-101... 

N.A. Avena sativa L. Proteins, vitamin complex, saponin, carotenes.102 138 Antidepressant, heal skin disorders. 

N.A. Polygonatum multiflorum (L.) All. P. biflorum (Walt.) Elliott Saponins, flavonoids, vitamin A." A poultice to stimulate tissue repair. Treat tuberculosis, accelarate healing. 

The active form of vitamin C is ascorbate acid (Figure 28.8). The main function of ascorbate is as a reducing agent in several different reac lions. Vitamin C has a well-documented role as a coenzyme in hydroxy lation reactions, for example, hydroxylation of prolyl- and lysyl-residues of collagen (see p. 47). Vitamin C is, therefore, required for the mainte nance of normal connective tissue, as well as for wound healing. Vitamin C also facilitates the absorption of dietary jron from the intestine. 

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) functions as an antioxidant and as a cofactor for hydroxyla tion reactions in procollagen. A deficiency of vitamin C results in scurvy, a disease char acterized by sore, spongy gums, loose teeth, and poor wound healing. There is no known toxicity for this vitamin. 

A partial list of physiological functions til at have been determined to be affected by vitamin C deficiencies includes (1) absorption of iron (2) cold tolerance, maintenance of adrenal cortex (3) antioxidant (4) metabolism of tryptophan, phenylalanine, and tyrosine (5) body growth (6) wound healing (7) synthesis of polysaccharides and collagen (8) formation of cartilage, dentine, bone, and teeth and (9) maintenance of capillaries. 

I thiamine) and C (ascorbic acid) are partially destroyed by heal, while Bj, and Bn, are relatively heat-stable. Vitamin B iribollavin) is heat-stable but it is quickly destroyed by light. In spite of the varying sensitivity of the w ater-soluble vitamins toward heat, pasteurized milk is a good source of all the milk vitamins except C. 

Abstract The utility of confocal Raman microscopy to study biological events in skin is demonstrated with three examples, (i) monitoring the spatial and structural differences between native and cultured skin, (ii) tracking the permeation and biochemical transformation in skin of a Vitamin E derivative and (iii) tracking the spatial distribution of three major skin proteins (keratin, collagen, and elastin) during wound healing in an explant skin model. 

---