What Vitamins and Minerals Assist with Weight Loss?
Vitamins and minerals are essential to proper body function. The body cannot perform at an optimal level without the necessary substances fundamental to nutrition. The body’s weight related functions are also dependent on optimum vitamin intake. Since vitamins do not operate independently to support body function, it is not possible to name one vitamin accountable for weight control. It is the joint operation of several essential vitamins that help promote proper weight related performance.
The vitamins and minerals considered most important to weight loss are: Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Choline, Inositol, and Vitamin C.
• Vitamin B2 is also known as Riboflavin. Riboflavin is required for normal metabolism and thyroid function. Sources of Riboflavin are milk, almonds, eggs, leafy green vegetables, and hard cheese.
• Vitamin B3, or Niacin, ensures normal thyroid hormone production and assists in the process that properly regulates blood sugar. Niacin can be found in tuna, turkey, chicken, eggs, salmon, oats, barley, cheese, and brown rice.
• Vitamin B5 is Pantothenic Acid. Without this vitamin, our capacity to utilize fat is affected. Pantothenic Acid is part of the energy production and adrenal functions. Good sources of Pantothenic acid include green vegetables, whole grain bread, beans, eggs, molasses, oats, meat, poultry, and nuts.
• Vitamin B6 is also called Pyridoxine. Pyridoxine regulates metabolism and the production of thyroid hormone. Pyridoxine is contained in avocado, banana, eggs, mackerel, wheat bran, brown rice, poultry, beef, and molasses.
• Choline is part of the Vitamin B family. Choline is not actually a vitamin since it is produced in the liver. Choline is required for the liver to efficiently metabolize fat. Cauliflower, cucumber, peanuts, egg yolks, wheat germ, and beef liver are all sources of Choline
• Inositol is also part of the vitamin B complex and produced by the body. Insitol, together with Choline, aids fat metabolism. It is found in citrus fruits, wholegrains, nuts, eggs, and soy.
• Vitamin C ensures proper conversion of glucose to energy in the bodies cells. Brussel sprouts, lemons, oranges, strawberries, broccoli, green peppers, and kiwi are all sources of vitamin C.
