Is It Kosher?

Vitamins require supervision. Common problems: are stearates, gelatin, resinous glazes, meat, (liver extracts and bone meal), fish oil, and glycerine. If vitamins are medically prescribed, a rabbi should be consulted. Following is a listing of natural vitamins and their sources:

Vitamin D

Function: To enhance intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus.

Deficiency: Osteomalacia (softening of the bones in adults), rickets in children.

Sources: Sunshine, fish, liver, egg yolk, milk (most milk today is fortified with Vitamin D).

VITAMIN C

Function: Cellular respiration. Formation of collagen and other fibrous tissue. Metabolism of amino acids.

Deficiency: Scurvy, hemorrhaging, delayed healing, swelling, inflammation of the gums, emaciation, and swollen joints.

Sources: Citrus fruits, strawberries, cantaloupe, kale, brussel sprouts, cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes and bean sprouts.

NIACIN (B3)

Function: Assists in cellular respiration. Increases blood flow.

Deficiency: Pellagra, dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia.

Sources: Organ meats, fish, yeast, whole grains, dried peas, beans and nuts.

FOLATE

Function: Necessary for the synthesis of essential nucleic acids, DNA, RNA.

Deficiency: Possibly anemia and a decrease of blood platelets and white cells in the blood. Can cause drowsiness, indigestion, numbness in hands and feet, inflamed tongue.

Natural sources: Organ meats, dark green leafy vegetables, asparagus, lima, beans, yeast, whole grains, wheat germ, lentils, orange juice.

COBALAMIN (B12)

Function: Essential participant in nucleic acid synthesis, and is essential to the structure and function of the nervous system.

Deficiency: Can increase susceptibility to infections.

Sources: Organ meats, fish, milk.

BIOTIN

Function: Synthesis of protein and fatty acids and for the metabolism of carbohydrates.

Deficiency: Can cause severe dermatitis, inflamed and sore tongue, loss of appetite, nausea, depression, anemia, sensitivity of the skin, insomnia and increased blood levels of cholesterol.

Sources: Liver, egg yolk, peanuts, filberts, mushrooms, and cauliflower.

RIBOFLAVIN (B2)

Function: Cellular respiration, also metabolism of Vitamin C.

Deficiency: Over-consumption of carbohydrates.

Sources: Organ meats, fish, dairy products, eggs, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, legumes.

THIAMINE (B1)

Function: Part of the co-enzyme system that makes possible the carbohydrate metabolism.

Deficiency: Beriberi

Sources: Liver, heart, kidneys, yeast, lean meat, green leafy vegetables, whole grain cereals, nuts, berries and legumes.

PYRIDOXINE (B6)

Function: Co-enzyme for many biochemical reactions involving amino acids, helps menstrual regularity, premenstrual tension and acne. May help prevent heart attacks and birth defects.

Deficiency: Greasy, scaling dermatitis around eyes, ears, nose and mouth.

Sources: Liver, whole grain cereals, wheat germ, soybeans, yeast, peanuts, corn, blackstrap molasses.

VITAMIN A (RETINOL)

A. Important in eyes adjusting to darkness. Visual purple, the pigment in the retina for adjusting to darkness needs Vitamin A always.

B. Fights off infection.

C. Skin problems.

Sources of Vitamin A:

A. Pro Vit A (Carotene) is in yellow and orange pigments of many fruits and vegetables.

B. Preformed Vitamin A from animal sources from liver.

C. Can come from egg yolk, green leafy vegetables, deep yellow vegetables.

D. Some Vitamin A natural supplements are from fish liver oil.