Make up sentences from underlined phrases.

Put questions to the text.

 

VITAMIN C (Ascorbic Acid)

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is required for tissue growth and repair, adrenal gland function, and healthy gums. It also aids in the production of anti-stress hormones and interferon, and is needed for the metabolism of folic acid, tyrosine, and phenylalanine. It protects against the harmful effects of pollution, helps to prevent cancer, protects against infection, and enhances (підвищувати) immunity. Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron. It also may reduce cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, and prevent atherosclerosis. Essential in the formation of collagen, vitamin C protects against blood clotting and bruising, and promotes the healing of wounds and burns.

New evidence indicates that vitamin C works synergistically (синергічно) with vitamin E – that is, when these vitamins work together, they have a greater effect than when they work separately. Vitamin E scavenges (очищувати) for dangerous free radicals in cell membranes, while vitamin C attacks free radicals in biologic fluids. These vitamins reinforce and extend each other's antioxidant activity.

Because the body cannot manufacture vitamin C, it must be obtained through the diet or in the form of supplements. Unfortunately, most of the vitamin C consumed in the diet is lost in the urine. When larger amounts of vitamin C are required due to serious illness, such as cancer, it is more effective to take vitamin C intravenously, under the advisement and supervision of a physician, than it is to take high doses orally.

Scurvy (цинга) is a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. It is characterized by poor wound healing, soft and spongy bleeding gums, edema, extreme weakness, and "pinpoint" hemorrhages under the skin. Fortunately, this condition is rare in Western societies. More common are signs of lesser degrees of deficiency, including gums that bleed when brushed; increased susceptibility (чутливість) to infection, especially colds and bronchial infections; joint pains; lack of energy; poor digestion; prolonged healing time; a tendency to bruise easily; and tooth loss.

Vitamin C is found in berries, citrus fruits, and green vegetables. Good sources include asparagus, avocados, beet greens, black currants, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, grapefruit, lemons, mangos, mustard greens, onions, oranges, papayas, green peas, sweet peppers, pineapple, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes.

 

1. Create nouns from the given verbs using suffix –tion:

to pollute – pollution

to absorb, to digest,to product,to prevent,to protect,to reduce, to form, to indicate,to inject.

2. Answer the following questions:

1. What is vitamin C required for? 2. What is the function of vitamin C? 3. What is specific in work of vitamin C? 4. What happens in case of vitamin C deficiency? 5. Speak on the main sources of vitamin C.

Make up a plan to the text and be ready to retell it.

 

VITAMIN B COMPLEX

The В vitamins help to maintain the health of the nerves, skin, eyes, hair, liver, and mouth, as well as healthy muscle tone in the gastrointestinal tract and proper brain function. B-complex vitamins are coenzymes involved in energy production, and may be useful for alleviating (зменшення) depression or anxiety. Adequate intake of the В vitamins is very important for elderly people because these nutrients are not as well absorbed as we age. There have even been cases of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease whose problems were later found to be due to a deficiency of vitamin B₁₂ plus the В complex. The В vitamins should always be taken together, but up to two to three times more of one В vitamin than another can be taken for a particular disorder. Although the В vitamins are a team, they will be discussed individually.

· Vitamin B₁ (Thiamine)

Thiamine enhances (покращує) circulation and assists in blood forma­tion, carbohydrate metabolism, and the production of hy­drochloric acid, which is important for proper digestion. Thiamine also optimizes cognitive activity and brain func­tion. It has a positive effect on energy, growth, normal ap­petite, and learning capacity, and is needed for muscle tone of the intestines, stomach, and heart.

Beriberi, a nervous system disease, is caused by a defi­ciency of thiamine. Other symp­toms that can result from thiamine deficiency include constipation, edema, enlarged liver, fatigue, forgetfulness, gastrointestinal disturbances, heart changes, irritability, la­bored breathing, loss of appetite, muscle atrophy, nervous­ness and others.

The richest food sources of thiamine include brown rice, fish, liver, peanuts, peas, pork, poul­try and whole grains.

· Vitamin B₂ (Riboflavin)

Riboflavin is necessary for red blood cell formation, anti­body production, cell respiration, and growth. It alleviates eye fatigue and is important in the prevention and treatment of cataracts. It aids in the metabolism of carbohy­drates, fats, and proteins. Together with vitamin A, it maintains and improves the mucous membranes in the digestive tract. Riboflavin also facilitates the use of oxygen by thetissues of the skin, nails, and hair; eliminates dandruff;and helps the absorption of iron and vitamin В₆ (pyridoxine).

Deficiency symptoms include cracks and sores at the corners of the mouth, eye disorders, inflammation of the mouth and tongue, and skin lesions (пошкодження). Other possible deficiency symptoms include dermatitis, hair loss, insomnia, poor digestion.

Vitamin B₂ is found in the following food products: cheese, fish, meat, milk, poultry, spinach, whole grains, and yogurt.

· Vitamin B₃ (Niacin, Niacinamide, Nicotinic Acid)

Vitamin В₃ is needed for proper circulation and healthy skin. It aids in the functioning of the nervous system; in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins; and in the production of hydrochloric acid for the digestive system. It is involved in the normal secretion of bile and stomach fluids, and in the synthesis of sex hormones. Niacin lowers cholesterol and improves circulation. It is helpful for schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, and is also a memory-enhancer.

Pellagra is a disease caused by niacin deficiency. Other symptoms of niacin deficiency include canker (виразка, стоматит) sores, depression, diarrhea, fatigue, headaches.

Niacin and niacinamide are found in beef liver, broccoli, carrots, cheese, corn flour, eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, and pork.

· Vitamin B₅ (Pantothenic Acid)

Known as “the anti-stress vitamin”, pantothenic acid plays a role in the production of the adrenal hormones and the formation of antibodies, aids in vitamin utilization, and helps to convert fats, carbohydrates, and proteins into energy. It is required by all cells in the body and is concentrated in the organs. It is also involved in the pro­duction of neurotransmitters.

A deficiency of pantothenic acid may cause fatigue, headache, nausea, and tingling in the hands.

The following foods contain pantothenic acid: beef, brewer’s yeast, eggs, fresh vegetables, kidney, legumes, liver, mushrooms, nuts, pork, saltwater fish, whole rye flour, and whole wheat.

· Vitamin B₆ (Pyridoxine)

Pyridoxine is involved in more bodily functions than almost any other single nutrient. It affects both physical and mental health. It is beneficial if you suffer from water retention, and is necessary for the production of hydro­chloric acid and the absorption of fats and protein.

It is needed for normal brain function and for the synthesis of the nucleic acids RNA and DNA.

Vitamin В₆ plays a role in cancer immunity and aids in the prevention of arteriosclerosis.

A deficiency of vitamin В₆ may be recognized by ane­mia, convulsions, headaches, nausea, flaky skin, a sore tongue, and vomiting.

All foods contain some vitamin В₆; but the highest amounts are in brewer's yeast, carrots, chicken, eggs, fish, meat, and peas.

· Vitamin B₁₂ (Cyanocobalamin)

Vitamin B₁₂ is needed to prevent anemia. It aids folic acid in regulating the formation of red blood cells, and helps in the utilization of iron. This vitamin is also required for proper digestion, absorption of foods, the synthesis of protein, and the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. It aids in cell formation and cellular longevity.

Deficiency can cause abnormal gait (хода), chronic fatigue, constipation, depression, digestive disorders, dizziness, drowsiness, enlargement of the liver, eye disorders.

The largest amounts of vitamin B₁₂ are found in brewer’s yeast, eggs, herring, kidney, liver, mackerel, milk and dairy products, and seafood.

 

Answer the following questions to the text:

1. Why are vitamins of group B very important for elderly people?

2. What is the function of vitamin B₁? What happens in case of its deficiency? 3. What food contains vitamin B₁? 3. What is vitamin B₂ necessary for? 4. What is the role of vitamin B₃ in our organism? What are its main sources? 5. What is the other name of vitamin B₅? What does the deficiency of vitamin B₅ cause? 6. What do we need vitamin B₆ for? 7. Speak on the function of vitamin B₁₂, its main sources.

 

FOLIC ACID

Considered a brain food, folic acid is needed for energy production and the formation of red blood cells. It also strengthens immunity by aiding in the proper formation and functioning of white blood cells. Because it functions as a coenzyme in DNA and RNA synthesis, it is important for healthy cell division and replication (репродукція). It is involved in protein metabolism, and has been used in the prevention and treatment of folic acid anemia. This nutrient may also help depression and anxiety. It may be effective in the treatment of uterine cervical dysplasia (дисплазія шийки матки).

Folic acid is very important in pregnancy (вагітність). It helps to regulate embryonic and fetal nerve cell formation, which is vital for normal development. Studies have shown that a daily intake of 400 micrograms of folic acid in early preg­nancy may prevent the vast majority of neural tube defects such as spina bifida (міжхребцева щілина) and anencephaly. It may also help to prevent premature (передчасний) birth. To be effective, this regimen must begin before conception (зачаття) and continue for at least the first three months of pregnancy; if a woman waits until she knows she is pregnant, it may be too late, because critical events in fetal development occur during the first six weeks of pregnancy— before most women know that they have conceived. This is why many experts recommend that every woman of child-bearing age take a folic acid supplement daily as a matter of course. Folic acid works best when combined with vitamin B₁₂ and vitamin C.

A sore, red tongue is one sign of folic acid deficiency. Other possible signs include anemia, apathy, digestive disturbances, fatigue, graying hair, growth impairment, insomnia, labored breathing, memory problems, para­noia, weakness, and birth defects in one's offspring. Folic acid deficiency maybe caused by inadequate consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables; consumption of only cooked or microwaved vegetables (cooking destroys folic acid); and malabsorption (порушення всмоктування) problems.

The following foods contain significant quantities of folic acid: barley, beef, bran (висівки), brewer's yeast, brown rice, cheese, chicken, dates (фініки), green leafy vegetables, lamb, legumes, lentils (чечевиця), liver, milk, mushrooms, oranges, split peas, pork, root vegetables, salmon, tuna, wheat germ, whole grains, and whole wheat.