Evening star., 1942-08-20

For our healths sake it is we'll to
BE- well acquainted with these vita
minis and know what they can do for
us. Each has its own value; we
need them all to help our bodies
grow or to keep them in good con-
dition. Very small amounts of
vitamins handle big jobs.
VITAMIN A could be called by a
war nickname-the "blackout vita
min" 1t is beneficial to the eyes,
is needed for normal eyesight in
dim light. When you have too little
vitamin A you may have what is
known as night blindness-that is,
YOU cannot adjust your eyes quickly
from bright lights to darkness. If
you have serious night blindness you
cannot see well toward the right or
left even in daylight.
Vitamin A is one of the vitamins
needed for growth, and for healthy
bones, nerves and teeth. This vita
min, and the other vitamins, too,
help protect you against infections.
1t is also important for good skin,
and good Innings to nose, mouth and
other body organs.
The VITAM1N B group is quite a
large family. B1, called thiamine,
can be nicknamed the morale vita
min" because it makes for steady
nerves . helps keep you cheerful.
Those getting, too little thiamine in
food often have poor appetites, slow
heart rate, constipation and tired
feeling.
Another B vitamin Is niacin, or
NICOTINE acid. This vitamin helps
nerves and digestion, and also
makes for healthy skin. In addi-
ton, pellagra can be prevented by
eating enough foods having B vita
min content-especially niacin.
Still another B vitamin is ribo-
fiavin, which is needed for health
and normal growth. II one gets too
little OF this vitamin, sores may de-
velop around the nose and mouth,
the eyes may be oversensitive to
light and become bloodshot Almost
any one can improve his health by
eating more foods containing B vita
minis.
VITAMIN C's scientific name is
ascorbic acid This vitamin makes
healthier tissues. particularly bones.
teeth and gums. and is we'll known
as the "scurvy fighter Foods con-
tanning vitamin C, such as orange
or tomato juice, are given babies to
keep them safe from this condition
help them to grow normally
VITAMIN D is a tw&way vitamin
-Ayou can get it from sunshine as
well as from foods. This vitamin
helps bones and teeth grow strong
and straight-that is why it is so
necessary for children to get a regu-
lar supply of 1t.
Human beings, as we'll as cows.
chickens and fish. manufacture vi
tamin A in their bodies. You can
store 1t in your body for future use.
too, and 1t Is best to get a good sup
ply every day so you have a re
serve" to draw on should you need it.
Bright colors yellow, green,
orange, sometimes red--are often
signals of vitamin A value which
you can get by eating ripe yellow
and green vegetables and some red
ones. such as tomatoes. You also
get 1t from liver, butter and eggs.
B vitamins come in many foods.
Some OF these foods contain only one
or two of the B group-others have
more. Among those having thiamine.
niacin and ribof1avin are: Whole
eggs, milk. lean beef and mutton,
liver, cabbage, collards. cowpeas,
kale, mustard greens, peanuts. dried
or green peas. spinach, soybeans, to-
matoes and turnip greens.
Vitamin c is found in citrus fruits
and several other fruits, tomatoes,
kidney, liver and many vegetables.
Canned tomatoes and citrus fruits
have about as much vitamin C as
fresh ones-so you can keep it on
the shelves. too. You cannot store
large amounts of vitamin c in your
body. so you have to get a supply
every day.
When sunlight meets the skin di-
rectly, vitamin D is formed And
YOU can get this vitamin from sew
eral foods. such as butter, cream,
whole eggs and egg yolks, whole
milk, some fish and flsh-liver oils.