What are other nutrients?

When you hear the word “nutrient”, you probably think of vitamins and minerals, but there are other nutrients too. Dietary components such as fiber, water, and anti-oxidant chemicals are examples of nutrients that are not vitamins or minerals. While these components benefit health, some of them can also be contraindicated with certain medications, or under…

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Fats are built from component pieces known as fatty acids. The omega 3 fatty acids are a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids with some distinct properties. They are especially known for having anti-inflammatory effects, and for supporting the development and ongoing health of the nervous system and brain as well as cardiovascular health. There are…

Water: Is Alkaline Water A Miracle Or A Scam?

The internet has made it easy to promote products of questionable value that claim to provide health benefits.  It is prudent to verify the health claims before spending extra on these items.  Here is an example: What is the benefit of alkaline ionized water to health? There are no credible health benefits attributable to alkaline…

Water: Quality

Does Water Quality Matter? This is the second of 2 articles looking at the importance of water.  In the first article, I discussed the importance of quantity – ensuring that you’re drinking enough.  In this article, I’m going to look at the importance of water quality. In North America, we have access to an abundance of water…

Water: Quantity

You might not think of water as a nutrient, but it is. It is the essential ingredient that makes the life processes of our bodies possible. The Importance Of Water You know that going more than a few days without enough to drink can be fatal.  Do you know why?  We have trillions of cells in our…

What is a vitamin?

A vitamin is a substance that your body needs in order to be healthy but cannot synthesize for itself.  As a result, vitamins must be taken in from food, or sunlight, in the case of Vitamin D. Information About Vitamins

Vitamin B1

Thiamine, or Vitamin B1,  is a water-soluble vitamin found in the Vitamin B Complex. Vitamin B1 is essential for the normal growth, development and function of the nervous system.  Because it is a water-soluble vitamin, thiamine is not stored in our bodies in significant amounts and must be consumed regularly to avoid deficiency. Healthy men…

Vitamin B2

Riboflavin, also known as Vitamin B2, is frequently used in combination with other B vitamins as part of the Vitamin B Complex.  It is the vitamin that causes your urine to turn a brilliant yellow colour. Riboflavin’s main role in health is to act as an anti-oxidant enzyme in numerous metabolic reactions.  It is especially…

Vitamin B3

Niacin (Vitamin B3), or its other form – niacinamide,  is one of the water-soluble vitamins, usually included in the Vitamin B Complex. Its main roles in our bodies are to aid in the metabolism of fats and to stabilize blood sugar.  Niacin is used therapeutically to reduce high cholesterol levels. Healthy men and women need…

Vitamin B5

Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) is another of the water-soluble B Vitamins, and is widely found in foods from plants and animals including meat, vegetables, cereal grains, legumes, eggs, and milk. In our bodies, pantothenic acid is a major participant in the creation of a molecule known as Co-enzyme A.  Co-enzyme A is critical to many…