Vitamin Robbers? The term refers to anything that increases the need for certain nutrients or depletes the body's supplies of essential nutrients.
Principal Vitamin robber Basically the principal vitamin robber is stress-but it must be understood that stress covers a multitude of conditions that place an unusual demand on the body.
Some specific factors that might increase the certain nutrients.
Two well-known vitamin robbers are smoking and drinking. Studies have shown smokers have as much as a 40% reduction in Vitamin C compared to non-smokers. Other studies indicate that alcohol can interfere with the utilization of vitamins B1, B6, and folic acid, and sometimes B12, C, and certain essential minerals. In addition, excessive drinkers often have poor appetites which leads to deficient diets.
Certain medications can be considered as vitamin robbers, since they interfere with vitamin utilization. For example: oral contraceptives increase the need for Vitamin B6 and folic acid, and may also reduce the body's level of B1, B2, B12, C and E. Mineral oil, estrogen and antibiotics, along with caffeine, have also been "indicated" as vitamin robbers.
Dieting-a vitamin robber?
Not exactly a vitamin robber, but rather a possible cause of a vitamin and mineral deficient diet.
When total food intake is reduced, intake of vitamins and minerals is often automatically reduced as well. This could result in a shortage of essential nutrients unless vitamin and mineral supplements are added to the diets.
Pregnancy increases the need for vitamins and minerals.
Pregnant and nursing women have higher needs for certain vitamins and minerals. This is particularly true of folic acid, for which the U.S.
Recommended Daily Allowance tor pregnant or lactating women is 0.8 mg. The U.S. Federal Department of Agriculture also proposed higher amounts of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, calcium and magnesium for pregnant and lactating women. All other vitamins and minerals except Vitamin D have greater "upper limits" suggested tor these women.
We urge pregnant women and nursing mothers to follow the advice of their doctors.
Happy reading,
Evelyn
