Nutrition Analysis
..., riboflavin also helps to store up the immune system by reinforcing antibody reserves, the body's first line of defense against infection. Along with iron, riboflavin is essential for producing the red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. In addition, the body uses extra riboflavin to keep tissue in good repair and speed healing of wounds, burns and other injuries. Riboflavin protects the nervous system. It may therefore have a role to play in treating nervous system conditions such as numbness and tingling, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and even anxiety, stress, and fatigue. Riboflavin may also combat migraines, experts speculate this is because migraine sufferers seem to have uncharacteristically low energy reserves in their brains, and riboflavin appears to boost these energy supplies. Maybe this is why I hardly ever get a headache; and I thought it was because I quit drinking caffeine. If one does not get enough riboflavin, the classic symptoms of too little riboflavin are cracking of the lips and at the corners of the mouth; increased sensitivity to light; and burning, tearing, and itching of the eyes. The elderly and alcoholics are often deficient in this and other B vitamins. Fortunately, there is no harmless effect of getting too much riboflavin. The body simply excretes excess amounts in the urine. Being a vegetarian, everyone is always telling me that I do not get enough protein. Everyone thinks the only way to eat enough protein is to eat meat. My printout shows that I actually went over in protein consumption, showing 183% of my goal percentage. I do not know what I could have eaten with that much protein in it, but I know peas and beans have an essential amount of protein in each serving. Another problem by not getting enough protein can be that a person may become anemic (have fewer red blood cells than they need). Or Protein deficiency may also show up as fluid retention (the big belly on a starving child pg 186) or hair loss and muscle wasting caused by the body's attempt to protect itself by digesting the proteins in its own muscle tissue. That is why victims of starvation are, literally, "skin and bones." Too much protein may be harmful to the kidneys. The kidneys filter the by-products that come from the breakdown of protein. These by-products can be toxic to the body. Eating a very high protein diet puts stress on the kidneys because they have to work much harder. In addition, since complete protein comes from mostly animal products, diets high in protein are also high in fat, cholesterol and saturated fat. To figure out how much protein I need, I divide my body weight (120 pounds) by 2.2 to get my weight in kilograms. Then I take this number and multiple it by .8. I need about 44 grams of protein a day. One important vitamin I am missing being a vegetarian is B-12. I only got 33% of my goal in my consumption of vitamin B-12, which causes the dropping of red blood cells that may cause anemia. I am also behind in the mineral zinc where I consumed 66% of my goal. Zinc is essential in the role of over 100 enzymatic functions in the human body. It is also essential to a normal growth and developmental rate, as well as in the development of both male and female reproductive organs. Zinc is involved in the functioning of insulin in the body and in the utilization of carbohydrate stores. Zinc also assist in healing through aiding wounds and burns and has a part in the healthy functioning of the prostate gland. Severe zinc deficiency often causes poor growth and may contribute to delayed sexual development or dwarfism. I noticed that I do not get enough fruits. The Recommended daily allowance for fruits is two to four servings a day, and I hardly ever eat fruit. I am always on the go and I find that when I buy fruits they just go bad sitting on my kitchen bar. Just the other day I bought two granny smith apples, and two pears. I tried pears, did not like them, and came back after two days, after forgetting about my apples and found the apples a little mushy. I do not like mushy fruits so it is hard to find a fruit really ripe and enjoyable to eat. However, I do love strawberries and grapes and I like bananas and watermelon when they are ripe. People whose diets are rich in fruits and vegetables are likely to have a lower risk of getting cancers of the colon, mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and lung, and may reduce their risk of prostate cancer. They are also less likely to get diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. A way for me to eat some more fruits may be to try some different types that I have not tried before and maybe instead, freeze fruits or buy them in a can. Another suggestion is adding strawberries, or bananas, etc on top ...