| MCFA not only allow infants to absorb needed fats, but they improve the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and protein.7'8
Human milk fat has a unique fatty acid composition. The primary fat is saturated, comprising about 45-50 percent of the total fat content. The next most abundant fat is monounsaturated which makes up about 35 percent of the milk fat. Polyunsaturated fat comprises only 15-20 percent of the total. A significant portion of the saturated fat in human breast milk can be in the form of MCFA. Sadly, many mothers produce very little. |
Steven G. Pratt, M.D. and Kathy Matthews
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 SPINACH AND VITAMIN K
Spinach is a rich dietary source of vitamin K—a vitamin that unlike other fat-soluble vitamins is not stored by the body in appreciable amounts and must be replaced on a regular basis. We're discovering more each day about the importance of this vitamin, and it seems the more we learn, the more diverse and critical these functions are. (Here's yet another argument for the SuperFoods Rx approach: a wide range of nutrient-dense foods.) What we know so far: vitamin K is essential for the production of six of the proteins necessary for proper blood coagulation. |
The Life Extension Editorial Staff
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 In addition, bile emulsifies fats and fat-soluble vitamins in the intestine, improving their absorption. When the excretion of bile is inhibited (cholestasis), toxins stay in the liver longer and subject the liver to damage.
FREE-RADICAL DAMAGE AND LIPID PEROXIDATION
Oxidative damage from the production of free radicals has far-reaching consequences in the body. Lipid peroxidation is a term that describes fats that have been chemically damaged by oxygen free radicals. Cell membranes consist mainly of layers of phospholipids. |
David Brownstein
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 Bad" fats poison the cells of the body and cause nutrient deficiencies, particularly deficiencies of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. "Bad" fats are found in hydrogenated oils and trans fatty acids.
Fat is found in both animal and vegetables sources. Fat has a higher energy content than either proteins or carbohydrates. Every cell membrane in the body contains fat, and all steroidal hormones are produced from the fat-like substance cholesterol. Fat is necessary for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, including Vitamins A, D, E and K. |
The Life Extension Editorial Staff
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| Chronic mineral oil ingestion can result in malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins and minerals and is not recommended for continuous treatment.
• Fecal softeners or emollients (Docusate) promote water retention in the fecal mass, thus softening the stool. They are generally used to prevent straining and are most beneficial when the stool is hard. However, it may require 3 days before results are experienced. Stool softeners and emollient laxatives have limited use because of their resorption of water from the forming stool. |
Brenda Davis and Tom Barnard
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 Like Xenical, it can reduce the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and phytochemicals, very possibly doing more harm than good.
Laxatives
There are two main types of laxatives: bulking agents and stimulants. Both are commonly used in herbal weight loss formulas. Stimulants such as senna, cas-cara sagrada, and buckthorn work by irritating the system, often causing cramps and diarrhea. Bulking agents like ground flaxseed and psyllium, when consumed with sufficient water, increase feelings of fullness and help improve bowel function. |
The Life Extension Editorial Staff
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| Fats serve as carriers for the fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K. By aiding vitamin D absorption, fats keep calcium readily available to bones and teeth.
• Fats (omega-3 fatty acids) increase insulin sensitivity.
• Fats are mood enhancers, reducing levels of antagonism, rage, and despair. (Negative emotions transcend to impaired physical responses.)
According to data in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, trans fatty acids (often appearing in cookies, cakes, and processed foods) dramatically increase a woman's risk of developing diabetes. |
| It is secreted into the small intestine, where it emulsifies fats and fat-soluble vitamins and improves their absorption. Any interference with healthy bile flow can create a myriad of immediate digestive disorders, such as bloating.
Good bile flow is also essential for detoxification, which is one of the major tasks of the liver. The liver is constantly bombarded with toxic chemicals from the environment: the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe.
Bile serves as a carrier for these toxic substances, delivering them into the intestine for further elimination from the body. |
Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
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 Quality unprocessed fats are also necessary in the diet because they carry the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K to the body's tissues. Vitamin A, an important antioxidant, prevents night blindness; enhances immunity; guards against cancer, heart disease, and strokes; and is important for the maintenance of healthy skin, mucous membranes, hair, bones, and teeth. Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the intestinal tract and plays a significant role in growth in children, as well as in building strong bones and teeth. |
| Tests by Procter & Gamble show that no reduction in absorption of fat-soluble vitamins occurs when vitamins are added to compensate for lack of absorption caused by eating foods containing olestra. To address these concerns, the FDA approved olestra on condition that vitamins A, D, E, and K be added to olestra-containing foods and that Procter & Gamble continue studies on consumption and long-term effects of olestra. |
by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.
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| A, D, E, and K. Milk fat is extremely complex, as more than 400 different fatty acids and fatty acid derivatives are found in milk, including a relatively high proportion of short-chain and medium-chain saturated fatty-acids. Milk fat contains about 7 percent short-chain fatty acids (C4 to C8), 15 to 20 percent medium-chain fatty acids (CIO to C14), and 73 to 78 percent long-chain fatty acids (CI6 and higher). The composition of milk fat varies according to such factors as the breed of the cow and composition of the feed. |
Dr. Vern Cherewatenko and Paul Perry
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 Fat-soluble vitamins—A, D, E, and K—can be absorbed only in the presence of fat. fat-soluble vitamins enter the bloodstream via the intestinal wall. They are stored in fat storage sites in the body.
For the most part, the best way to maximize the nutritional potential of water-soluble vitamins is to eat as much of them as possible when they're fresh or frozen. Improper storage can lead to water-soluble vitamin loss. |
The Life Extension Editorial Staff
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| Recall that in foods, triglycerides carry the fat-soluble vitamins (including vitamin K, an extremely important nutrient in normal blood coagulation) (Whitney et al. 1998). In addition, some researchers believe that hypocholesterolemia weakens cerebral arterial walls, making breakage under pressure more likely (Hama 2001). (About 20% of all strokes result from cerebral hemorrhages.) Various studies indicate that very low levels of cholesterol may also increase the risk of death due to cancel, particulatly leukemia and lung cancer (Zyada et al. 1990; Telega et al. 2000). |
Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon
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 Calcium
Laxatives Mineral Oil Agoral Mikinol Neo-Cultol and others
Regular use of a mineral oil laxative interferes with proper absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins. A lack of vitamin D can affect calcium and phosphate balance, and bone loss may occur.
Fat-Soluble Vitamins Vitamin A Vitamin D Vitamin E Vitamin K
Phenolphthalein Ex-Lax Feen-a-mint Modane Tablets and others
Regular use of these laxatives may interfere with vitamin D and calcium metabolism, eventually weakening bones. |
Earl L. Mindell, RPh, PhD with Virginia Hopkins, MA
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| Antacids deplete calcium; aspirin depletes vitamin C and folic acid; diuretics deplete minerals (especially calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc); cholesterol-lowering drugs interfere with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, and E; corticosteroids such as prednisone deplete vitamin D, potassium, and some of the B vitamins; some cholesterol-lowering drugs deplete coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E; and synthetic hormone replacement therapy depletes magnesium, the B vitamins, and folic acid. |
| Lubricants may decrease the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, and E.
Surfactants (docusate; brand names include Dialose, Regutol, Colace, Disonate, DOK, DOS Softgel, Regulax, Dioeze, Correctol, Sulfalax Calcium, Diocto-K)
What Do They Do in the Body?
Surfactants help to mix fats with the contents of the colon, which makes stools softer and bowel movements easier.
What Are They Used For? Treatment of diarrhea, or in conditions such as anal fissure or hemorrhoids where passing firm stool is painful. |
David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG
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 Often lipids are found conjugated with proteins or carbohydrates, and the resulting substances are known as lipoproteins and lipopolysaccharides. The fat-soluble vitamins can also be classified as lipids. The material in this chapter focuses on representative lipids found in medicinal plants.
Important Functions of Lipids
Among many other functions, lipids serve as the basis of cell membranes and as a form of fuel storage. |
| Major structural components of all biological membranes
• Energy reserves and fuel for cellular activities
• Vitamins and hormones (lipids and lipid derivatives)
• Protective coatings with important immunological functions for cells
• Waterproof protective coverings in plants and some animals
• Blood-based carriers of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K
CLASSIFICATION OF LIPIDS
Any classification of lipids, whether by physical properties, chemistry, biological function, or occurrence, is arbitrary. |
Walter Last
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 In this case, even a diet plentiful in fat-soluble vitamins can still lead to deficiency symptoms and may not be corrected by high-potency supplements. While symptoms can mirror individual Hpfiripnrips a rnmmnn feature of fat malabsorption is dry skin and difficulty gaining weight.
This absorption difficulty can be overcome by using water-soluble vitamin E tablets, emulsions for vitamin A, and sunshine for vitamin D. In addition, rub vitamin A and E oil (from opened capsules) into your skin and squeeze the contents of a halibut oil capsule under the tongue for slow absorption overnight. |
Ralph W. Moss, Ph.D.
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 Vitamin E: A group of fat-soluble vitamins obtained from seed oils, wheat germ, etc. Deficiency causes infertility and kidney degeneration.
Vitamin K: fat-soluble vitamins required for synthesis in the liver of a substance required for blood clotting. Produced by many plants and microorganisms, including some normally found in the gut.
Vitamin: an organic substance that is not normally made by an animal but has to be obtained from the environment in tiny amounts. Lack of a vitamin generally results in a specific deficiency disease. |
Bruce Fife and Jon J. Kabara
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 But if we cut down on fats, we also cut out the essential fatty acids and the fat-soluble vitamins.
What if...what if there was a fat that had fewer calories than other fats and contributed no more to weight gain than protein or carbohydrate, and actually promoted better health, would you be interested? Sounds like a pipe dream doesn't it? It's not. There actually is a fat that can do this. That fat is found in coconut oil.
Replacing the fats you now eat with coconut oil may be the wisest decision you can make to lose excess body fat. We often think that the less fat we eat, the better. |
Dianne Onstad
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 Coconut oil also provides quick energy, improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose, relieves srress on the pancreas and enzyme systems of the body, improves calcium and magnesium absorption for the development of strong bones and teeth, aids in the absorption of minerals and fat-soluble vitamins, and supports thyroid function. |
Patrick Holford
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 Yet many of the most important nutrients for brain development, such as essential fats and fat-soluble vitamins and zinc, are commonly missing in the average twenty-first-century junk-food diet. These nutrients are also essential for digestive health. They have been replaced by high-sugar foods, highly processed fat, refined wheat, and dairy products.
ESSENTIAL FATS AND ADHD
Many children with ADHD have known symptoms of essential fatty acid deficiency, such as excessive thirst, dry skin, eczema, and asthma. |
| This is primarily because the presence of stomach acid helps many minerals to be absorbed and because the fat-soluble vitamins are carried by the fats or oils present in most meals. Nutrients do, however, compete for absorption. For example, if you want to absorb a large amount of a specific amino acid such as lysine (good for the arteries and for preventing herpes), more will be absorbed if you take it on an empty stomach or with nonprotein foods such as a piece of fruit. Similarly, a tiny mineral like selenium will be absorbed better on its own than as part of a multimineral. |
Bruce Fife and Jon J. Kabara
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| It is through the fats in our food we get the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K and beta-carotene). Researchers are showing that these nutrients protect us from a myriad of diseases including cancer and heart disease. Fat is required in our foods in order to obtain and absorb these nutrients. A low-fat diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies and increase the risk of numerous degenerative diseases. Some fats are considered essential because our bodies cannot make them from other nutrients. |
Brenda Davis and Tom Barnard
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| Studies indicate that there are some nutrients whose absorption is enhanced by moderate amounts of fat in the diet: fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamin E, and substances called carotenoids, which form vitamin A), some minerals, and phytochemicals. Maximizing the absorption of these protective dietary constituents is especially important for people with chronic diseases such as diabetes.
3. The overall nutritional value of the diet may be reduced when fat content is considered the highest priority in food selection. |
| The side effects of Xenical are diarrhea, poor absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and phytochemicals, anal leakage, and urgency. Many people simply cannot tolerate the gastric lipase inhibition necessary to benefit from the Xenical program, and in truth, if you are unable to restrict your intake of fat, the very loose stool can become quite unbearable.
Another popular prescription weight loss medication is sibutramine, or Meridia. This drug helps control appetite by increasing the levels of certain hormones in the brain (mainly serotonin) which control appetite and hunger. |
F. Batmanghelidj
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 Butter is a rich source of fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin E, lecithin, folic acid, and more. Butter is also a rich source of calcium and phosphorous. The body needs some fat in its daily diet. You cannot go fat-free and survive for long. The body is not able to manufacture certain fat components that are needed to make its insulating membranes. If you don't give the body what it needs, it will try to make the required element from the carbohydrate content in its daily diet. |
Walter Last
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| Vitamins
Find out what these essential nutrients do and if you have special requirements for any of them.
The fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K, are more difficult to absorb. Deficiencies can easily arise even with an adequate diet, although most "balanced" diets are deficient due to the cooking methods and use of refined foods. The most difficult problem is fat malabsorption, which is relatively common and mainly due to a reaction of the intestinal wall to gluten. |
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