Vitamins

Vitamins are an integral part of our lives. Vitamins have been proved to protect us from a number of different diseases. Many of the beneficial effects of vitamins (especially C, E and A) on our health have been linked to their antioxidant properties. These vitamins work in concert with each other. Vitamin A has many unique benefits but mostly is a very effective antioxidant. Vitamin A, also called retinol, helps your eyes adjust to light changes when you come in from outside and also helps keep your eyes, skin and mucous membranes moist. Vitamin A mostly comes from animal foods. But some plant-based foods supply beta-carotene, which your body then converts into Vitamin A. Vitamin A is very important for maintaining good vision. A vitamin A (retinol) deficiency can cause night blindness (even total blindness) and a greatly lowered resistance to infection.

Vitamin B12 has very important benefits because a deficiency can lead to serious health complications such as nerve damage, weak muscles, depression, memory problems, fatigue, anemia, and stunted growth in children. Other benefits include the formation and regeneration of red blood cells. Vitamin B1 works with other B vitamins to release the energy we get from food. Vitamin C antioxidant which helps to protect against free radicals, fight infection, boost iron absorption, and maintain healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and gums. Vitamin C has many benefits you may already be aware of including a pivotal role in the production of collagen, an ability to help the healing of wounds. Vitamin B6 also helps to maintain a healthy nervous system and produce mood-regulating serotonin. Also needed for the formation of haemoglobin in red blood cells and antibodies that help fight infection. Vitamin E is protects of cell membranes as well as maintaining healthy skin, immunity, nerves, muscles and red blood cells. Vitamin K has good benefits such as blood clotting and helping to strengthen bones and counter osteoporosis. Vitamin K also helps to build and maintain strong bones.

Vitamin B12 is required for the normal activity of nerve cells, and works with folate and vitamin B6 to lower blood levels of homocysteine, a chemical in the blood that is thought to contribute to heart disease.

Thiamin (B1) involved in the release of energy from carbohydrate. It is important for the brain and nerves, which use glucose for their energy needs. Folate involved in the formation of blood cells. Folate reduces the risk of Neural tube defects in babies.

Exercise 38. Find the words in the text that match the definitions below:

1. one of a group of natural substances in food that you need to be healthy;

2. helpful or useful;

3. qualities of something;

4. to change something slightly so that it works better, fits better, or is more suitable;

5. a thin sheet of tissue that covers some parts inside the body;

6. an amount of something that is ready to be used;

7. when you do not have enough of something;

8. the ability of your body to not be affected by illnesses;

9. to let something (e.g. a substance) flow out from somewhere;

10. a medical condition in which your blood does not contain enough red cells.

Exercise 39. Write 10 questions to the text covering the main points of the text. Your group-mates must be ready to answer them.

Exercise 40. These sentences all give very good advice, but they have been divided into separate halves. Match the half-sentences in column A with the half-sentences in column B to make twenty sentences which are correct, complete and true.

Good Advice:

If you do a lot of exercise … A balanced diet should … Medicines should … A patient in shock should … Not taking any exercise is … Reading in bad light can … The administration of drugs must … The patient should fast … A hard bed is good … You should have your main meal … Aids can be transmitted … Bad posture can … People with fair complexions … Surgical instruments must … For patients who have problems with sugar, … You should get into the habit of … Babies should … Vitamins help … You can obtain most vital amino acids … A tourniquet should …

… burn easily in the sun. … cause back pain. … you develop strong muscles. … swimming every morning before breakfast to help you keep fit. … be inoculated against diphtheria. … glucose is more easily digestible. … be kept out of the reach of children. …be kept warm and lying down. …at midday. … from midnight of the night before an operation. …to restore strength. … for someone with back problems. …be sterilized before use. … be supervised by a qualified doctor or nurse. …make the eyes ache. …provide the protein required by the body. … an unhealthy way of living. …be used to try and stop the flow of blood. … by using non-sterile needles. …from your daily diet.

Exercise 41. Fill in the gaps in the sentences with the words from the box.

ER family history flu external hives genetic fatal false negative fractured feverish heart attack growth germs HIV illness

1. I broke out in ___after I ate that potato casserole.

2. The doctor was concerned about my ___ of skin cancer.

3. The child was rushed into the ___ after he had a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting.

4. We had two ___ pregnancy tests, so we didn't know we were having a baby.

5. The doctor made a ___ error when he wrote the wrong prescription.

6. He is very___, and his temperature is near danger point.

7. People who have the ___ should not visit hospital patients.

8. Flowers are not allowed in the ward to avoid the risk of ___ being brought in.

9. The disease is part ___ and part environmental.

10. That ___ on your shoulder is starting to worry me.

11. People who smoke are at greater risk of having a ___.

12. ___ can be passed down from the mother to her fetus.

13. Her ___ went away when she started eating better.

14. Your wrist is ___ and needs a cast.

15. This cream is for ___ use only. Do not get it near your ears, eyes, or mouth.

SPEAKING

Exercise 45. Answer the following questions:

1. What do YOU do to prevent illnesses?

2. What do you think you should start doing to be healthier?

3. How old are/were your grandparents? What was their lifestyle like?

4. Read the following words and phrases connected to our modern way of life. Decide if you think each thing is healthy or unhealthy. Explain why. Then add your own ides to each group.

gyms fast food cycle paths living in cities soft drinks commuting to work/school by public transport surfing the internet

Healthy	Unhealthy

5. Some people believe that our modern lifestyle is very unhealthy. However, we tend to live longer than 100 years ago.

What do you think about this statement?

Prepare arguments to support your opinion, then discuss the issue with your group-mates, responding to their counterarguments, as well.

TIPS

• Listen carefully to what your speaking group-mate is saying, so you know what you need to react to.

• While you are listening, collect your ideas.

• Try to build on or respond to what your group-mate has said.

Remember that you do not have to agree with your group-mate(s)!

PART IV. A VISIT TO THE DOCTOR

Exercise 49. Read and translate the dialogue.

• Well, what’s the matter with you, Mr. Walker?

• You’d better ask me what is not the matter with me, doctor. I seem to be suffering from all the illnesses imaginable: insomnia, indigestion, constipation and pains in the stomach. To make things still worse, I’ve caught a cold, I’ve got a sore throat and I’m constantly sneezing and coughing. To crown it all, I had an accident the other day, hurt my right shoulder, leg and knee, and nearly broke my neck. If I take a long walk, I get short of breath. In fact I feel more dead than alive.

• I’m sorry to hear that. Anyhow, I hope things aren’t as bad as you imagine. Let me examine you. Your heart, chest and lungs seem to be all right. Now open your mouth and show me your tongue. Now breathe in deeply, through the nose… There doesn’t seem to be anything radically wrong with you, but it’s quite clear that you are run down, and if you don’t take care of yourself, you may have a nervous breakdown and have to go to hospital. I advise you, first of all, keep to a diet of salads and fruit, and very little meat. Keep off alcohol. If possible, give up smoking, at least for time. Have this tonic made up and take two tablespoonfuls three times a day before meals. If you do this, I can promise you full recovery within two or three months.

• And if I don’t, doctor?

• Then you’d better make your will, if you haven’t yet done so.

• I see. Well, thank you, doctor. I shall have to think it over and decide

Exercise 50. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian.

1. Я страждаю на безсоння. 2. Вона весь час чхає та кашляє. 3. У мене болить горло. 4. У довершення я застудився. 5. Я задихаюся. 6. З вашими легенями усе гаразд. 7. Вдихніть глибоко через ніс. 8. У вас може бути нервовий розлад. 9.Регулярно харчуйтеся та дотримуйтеся овочевої дієти.

10. По столовій ложці тричі на день. 11. Обіцяю повне одужання протягом трьох місяців. 12. Я обміркую це.

Exercise 51. Fill in the gaps with the necessary prepositions. Use your dictionary if necessary. Translate the sentences.

1. He was taken ___ hospital and operated ___ ___ appendicitis.

2. After I’ve had some injections of tonic I feel quite cured ___ all my ailments.

3. The child is ill ___ chicken pox. He’ll recover soon if no complications set ___.

4. Smallpox is a catching disease marked ___ fever and small red spots ___ the body and often leaves permanent marks.

5. I’ve been ___ sick leave for a fortnight already, but I don’t feel any better so far.

6. The doctor diagnosed the illness ___ tuberculosis (t.b.)

7. A doctor who performs operations is called a surgeon. Nowadays operations may be performed almost ___ any part ___ the body.

8. When people have pain ___ their teeth they go ___ a dentist to have holes in their teeth filled (stopped). When necessary they may have their teeth taken (pulled) ___.

9. People who are treated ___ health centres (policlinics) are called ___-patients, those who stay ___ hospital are called ___-patients.

Exercise 52. Work in pairs. Study the list of ADDITIONAL WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS. Using phrases and sentences from the list make up a dialogue “At the doctor’s”.

	ADDITIONAL WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS
	to feel one’s pulse
	to write out a prescription
	to go to a chemist’s (Br.)/drugstore (Am.)
	to follow the doctor’s instructions
	to catch a cold
	to have/get into an accident
	to consult/see a doctor
	to have a nervous break-down
	to be on a diet
	to feel sick and giddy
	to fill smb’s tooth
	to have one’s tooth filled
	to pull a tooth
	to have one’s tooth pulled out
	to be (to have one’s tooth, chest, heart, etc.) X-rayed
	to have an injection
	to have a heart attack
	to be on sick leave
	to make an appointment with a doctor
	to operate on smb.
	to be operated on for appendicitis
	Do you have any tablets for a headache?
	What is the matter/problem?
	What are your complaints?
	What do you complain of?
	My stomach is upset.
	I have diarrhea.
	I am constipated.
	I’ve lost my appetite.
	I have a stiff neck
	What diet should I follow?
	I fainted/I had a fainting spell.
	My pulse is irregular.
	I have arrhythmia.
	I have pain in the back of my head.
	I have pain in the small of my back.
	I feel light-headed.
	I have/suffer from insomnia.
	I have sore eyes./My eyes are irritated.
	I have shooting pains in my ear.
	My hearing has become worse.
	I have pains in my eyes and they are watering.
	I’ve been taking this medicine, but I am not getting better.
	What is your diagnosis?
	Is it serious?
	Are you allergic to any medicine?
	I am allergic to antibiotics.
	Take one pill three times a day after meals.
	Take one tablespoonful of this medicine two times a day before meals.
	I’ll make you an injection/I’ll give you a shot
	Be sure to follow my instructions
	You’ll recover soon.
	Can you recommend a good dentist to me?
	I want (to make) an appointment with the dentist.
	I have a broken tooth.
	It hurts to bite/to chew.
	My filling has fallen out.
	I don’t want to have the tooth pulled. Can you save it?
	I think I need a crown on my tooth.
	I have bleeding gums.
	I need false teeth/dentures.
	I get short of breath.
	go/come down with
	get over/get better/recover from
	suffer from
	die of/from