Latest news with #Wernicke-Korsakoff
News18
16 hours ago
- Health
- News18
A to K of vitamins: what you need, where to get it
Agency: PTI Last Updated: Bristol (UK), Jul 23 (The Conversation) The late, great comedian Barry Humphries (of Dame Edna fame) once spoke whimsically about the health benefits of kale. Just one fistful, he joked, contained enough essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements to keep you in a sedentary position in the bathroom for two whole days. Apparently, it wasn't tasty enough to justify a second helping. In a world where 'superfoods" are relentlessly marketed for their supposed ability to deliver all the nutrients we need, it's worth asking: which vitamins really are essential? And aside from kale (which I actually rather like), what foods help us meet our daily needs? Vitamin A Let's start at the top. Vitamin A – also known as retinol – is found in foods like eggs, oily fish and dairy products. It plays a crucial role in keeping your skin and immune system healthy. But it's probably most famous for supporting vision. Vitamin A binds with light-sensitive pigments in the rod and cone cells of your retina, helping you to see, particularly in low light. A deficiency in vitamin A, though uncommon in wealthy countries, can lead to serious vision problems and even blindness. Another source of vitamin A is beta-carotene, found in colourful fruits and vegetables like carrots, peppers, spinach and pumpkin. Your body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, which is why we associate carrots with seeing in the dark. Vitamin B The B vitamins are a family of eight different nutrients, each with its own number and role. B1 (thiamin) helps the nervous system and aids digestion. People with chronic alcoholism are especially at risk of deficiency, which can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a serious neurological disorder that affects memory and movement. B2 (riboflavin) and B3 (niacin) support similar functions, while B9 (folate) and B12 (cobalamin) are essential for red blood cell production. A lack of either can lead to anaemia. Folate is especially important in early pregnancy, helping to prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida. That's why it's recommended for people who are pregnant or trying to conceive. You'll find B vitamins in everything from beans and legumes to meat, fish and dairy; a wide-ranging family of nutrients in a wide-ranging variety of foods. Vitamin C The go-to vitamin when we're under the weather, whether from a virus or a hangover, vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is known as the 'healing" vitamin for good reason. It promotes wound healing, supports tissue repair and helps maintain blood vessels and bones. A deficiency in vitamin C causes scurvy – a condition once common among sailors – with symptoms like fatigue, bruising, depression and gum disease. Fortunately, vitamin C is found in many different fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits. That's why 19th-century British sailors were given limes to prevent scurvy, earning them the nickname 'limeys". Vitamin D Vitamin D is essential for bones, teeth and muscles. It can be absorbed through diet, especially from oily fish, eggs and meat, but your body also makes it in the skin, thanks to sunlight. In the summer, most people get enough vitamin D from being outside. But in the winter months, diet and, if needed, supplementation become more important. Deficiency is more common, especially in areas with limited sun exposure. It can lead to soft, weakened bones and symptoms like bone pain, fractures and deformities – including the classic bow-legged appearance. In children, this condition is known as rickets; in adults, it's called osteomalacia. Vitamin E Often overlooked, vitamin E helps protect cells, supports vision and bolsters the immune system. You'll find it in nuts, seeds and plant oils and it's usually easy to get enough through a varied diet. Vitamin F (Sort of) Not actually a vitamin, 'vitamin F" is just a nickname for two omega fatty acids: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA). These essential fats support brain function, reduce inflammation, and help maintain healthy skin and cell membranes. Since they're technically not vitamins, we'll let them quietly bow out. Vitamin K No, you didn't miss vitamins G through J: they were renamed over the years. But vitamin K is real, and crucial for blood clotting. Deficiencies are more common in children, and can lead to bruising and bleeding that's hard to stop. Supplements are effective and given after birth. Most adults get enough through foods like leafy greens and grains. top videos View all And the winner is… All these vitamins are important – and all are found in a wide range of everyday foods. But which single food provides the widest variety? Kale, oily fish and eggs come in strong at second, third and fourth. But number one is: liver. Yes, liver. The stuff of childhood dread and overcooked school dinners. But it's also rich in vitamins A, B, D and K. So rich in Vitamin A, in fact, that it's advised to eat it only once a week to avoid vitamin A toxicity, and not at all if you're pregnant. Sometimes, you just can't win. (The Conversation) NSA NSA (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
This is what happens to the body if you mix and drink different types of alcohol
Alcohol consumption has long been a social norm across cultures, with countless varieties and combinations to choose from. But what happens when you mix different types of alcohol? The truth lies in understanding how the body processes alcohol and how variables such as the total amount consumed, frequency, and individual health conditions influence its effects. 'The idea that mixing alcohols is inherently harmful is a myth. What truly matters is the total volume consumed and the pace of drinking,' says Kanikka Malhotra, consultant dietician & diabetes educator. The body processes alcohol using enzymes such as alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, which convert ethanol into acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct. The effects of mixing alcohol are less about the combination itself and more about the total quantity consumed. Switching between types of alcohol can often mask the sense of overconsumption, leading to higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Here's how that affects our bodies. Mixing beverages like beer and spirits may encourage excessive consumption, overwhelming the liver's ability to metabolise alcohol. This leads to elevated BAC, impairing judgement, coordination, and reaction time, says Fiona Sampat, Clinical Dietitian at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, increasing urine output. Combined with inadequate hydration, this can cause severe dehydration, leading to headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, Malhotra said. According to Sampat, alcohol irritates the stomach lining, and mixing drinks may exacerbate gastric discomfort, causing nausea, acidity, and gastritis. As BAC rises, brain function slows, impacting mood, behaviour, and motor coordination. Malhotra says this raises the risk of accidents and poor decision-making. Overconsumption from mixed drinks increases the risk of alcohol poisoning, Sampat said, which is a life-threatening condition characterised by confusion, vomiting, and slowed breathing. Prolonged heavy drinking—whether mixing or not—stresses the liver. Chronic alcohol use can lead to conditions such as cirrhosis, fatty liver, and alcoholic hepatitis, according to Malhotra. Frequent alcohol use damages the stomach lining, hindering nutrient absorption and leading to chronic gastric discomfort and ulcers. Alcohol impairs brain function over time, causing memory loss, cognitive decline, and conditions like Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, linked to Vitamin B1 deficiency, says Sampat. Excessive alcohol consumption increases the likelihood of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease, whether mixed or consumed in large quantities of a single type. Certain individuals should completely abstain from mixing or even consuming alcohol. Other than pregnant women and individuals with chronic conditions like liver disease, heart problems, etc, those on medications should completely stay away from it. 'Alcohol can intensify the effects of some medications, leading to severe side effects or toxicity,' warns Sampat. While abstinence is the safest route, moderation and mindful drinking are crucial. Here are some tips: DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
