Women’s Health Blog

Women’s Health Issues

How to Store Vitamins

Author: admin
07 22nd, 2010

There are two main types of vitamins, water soluble vitamins and fat soluble vitamins, and the way that the body does or does not store vitamin content taken from food depends on which type it is. The body cannot store water soluble vitamins and this means that a person needs to replenish their water soluble vitamin intake on a daily basis. The eight B vitamins and vitamin C are water soluble vitamins and the body cannot store vitamin content that is either of these.

It is not simply that the body cannot store vitamins that are water soluble but also the water soluble vitamins are easily destroyed by improper storage, handling, or cooking of foods that contain these vitamins. In particular, it is important not to overcook vegetables by boiling as the water soluble vitamins are in effect washed out of them but this lack of being able to store vitamins that are water soluble can be overcome by light cooking or steaming and by using the water that vegetable have been cooked in to form sauces and gravies. As the body cannot store vitamin C or the other water soluble vitamins it is essential to eat a balanced diet with at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables to ensure that enough vitamins are available for the body to use when necessary and a person does not suffer from a vitamin deficiency due to the bodys inability to store vitamin content.

On the other hand, the body can store vitamin content that is fat soluble. The body will store vitamin content in the fat cells so that it can be used when required and a person does not need to consume as many of these fat soluble vitamins on as frequent a basis as they do with water soluble vitamins. The fat cells store vitamin A, D, E, and K as these are all fat soluble vitamins.

It is also important to store vitamin supplements correctly to ensure that the beneficial qualities of these are not diminished. The best way to store vitamin supplements is in a container with a screw top lid and to keep the container in a dry place. When you store vitamin supplements it is also essential to check that they have not been kept longer than the expiration date. The vitamin content of supplements cannot be guaranteed if you store vitamin tablets past their use by date.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


Cooking with Oils

Author: admin
10 23rd, 2009

Everyone knows the foods to eat that improve health,
although how we cook the food can be just as important.
With there being so many oils and butter products
claiming to be the best, it can be quite difficult
to know which ones to use and which ones to avoid.

1. Canola oil
Canola oil is a popular oil, with many physicians
claiming that it has the ability to lower the risk
of heart disease. The oil is low in saturated fat,
high in monounsaturated fat, and offers the best
fatty acid composition when compared to other oils.

You can use canola oil in sauting, as a marinade
and even in low temperature stir frying. It has
a bland flavor, which makes it a great oil for foods
that contain many spices. Unlike other oils, this
one won’t interfere with the taste of your meal.

2. Olive oil
olive oil offers a very distinct flavor with plenty
of heart healthy ingedients. The oil is rich in
monounsaturated fat, helps to lower cholesterol
levels and reduce risk of cancer. It’s also rich
in antioxidants and has a very long storage life.

Even though it can be used in cooking, it’s the
healthiest when uncooked, such as with a salad or
dipping sauce. When you use it with cooking, you
should heat it on low to medium temperatures, making
sure to avoid high heat.

3. Butter
Butter is one food that has been around for many,
many years. Butter tastes good, and offers sources
of Vitamin A and other fat soluble vitamins such as
E, K, and even D. Butter is also made from natural
ingredients and not chemically or artificially
processed.

You can use butter with cooking, baking, or even as
a spread. You can also pair it with creamy sauces,
marinades, baked dishes, or even bread.

4. Margarine
Margarine was first introduced as an alternative to
high fat butter. When it was first created however,
it was loaded with trans fat, a substance that we
now know raises bad cholesterol.

As a cooking oil, margarine tastes good, it’s lower
in fat than most oils and butter, and it’s quite
easy to spread. It’s available in a variety of
different products and a good source of vitamin E.

When it comes to cooking with oils, there are
several at your disposal. There are many more than
what is mentioned here, although the ones above are
the most popular. Eating healthy involves cooking
healthy food – which is where your cooking oil really
takes center stage.

(word count 424)

PPPPP

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,