Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid or ascorbate, is a water-soluble anti-oxidant. One of its main functions in our bodies is to protect our cells from oxygen-based damage. Healthy adults need about 75 to 90 mg per day; pregnant and lactating women need more; children need less. Pediatric doses range from 15 mg to…
Category: Supplement Information
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. Most of your intake of Vitamin D, though, comes from skin exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D plays important roles in the regulation of certain minerals (calcium, phosphorus), in the maintenance of bone, in the regulation of blood sugar, blood pressure, inflammation and immune system responses. The amount of sun…
Vitamin E
What is commonly referred to as Vitamin E is actually a group of related, fat-soluble compounds found in many foods and as a man-made supplement. Vitamin E is one of the anti-oxidant vitamins (along with C and B3). It protects cells against oxidative damage. Because sufficient amounts of Vitamin E are easily obtained from foods,…
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a major role in the blood-clotting process. In fact, the “K” comes from the German “Koagulationsvitamin”, as it was called when the initial discovery was announced in a German scientific journal. In addition to its function in blood-clotting, Vitamin K is also involved in calcium-bonding processes in bone…
Zinc
Zinc is a metallic element that is needed in very small amounts for human health. Zinc regulates the activities of genes, supports blood sugar balance and metabolism, is important for the senses of taste and smell and has a key role in immune function. Healthy adults need around 10 mg of zinc per day; children…
Sulfur
Sulfur is a non-metallic mineral that exists as an odorless, yellow crystalline solid in its natural form. It is an essential component of the amino acids methionine, cystine, cysteine and taurine. It is also part of the molecular structure of two vitamins: thiamine and biotin, and participates in many reactions in our bodies as sulfides…
Sodium
Sodium is a metallic element. When it is combined with chloride to form sodium chloride, we refer to it as salt. Sodium plays important roles in the regulation of blood volume, blood pressure, pH, nerve and muscle function. The minimum requirement for sodium is 500 mg per day. The average North American intake is much…
Selenium
Selenium is a metallic element that acts as an essential trace mineral in human health. Selenium plays a key role in the production of thyroid hormones and acts as an anti-oxidant. It is incorporated into proteins by binding with certain amino acids to form compounds such as selenocysteine and selenomethionine. We need selenium in tiny…
Potassium
The mineral potassium is involved in many body functions including nerve signal transmission, muscle contractions, fluid balance, and various chemical reactions. An adequate level of potassium is thought to protect against high blood pressure and stroke. The daily requirement for adults is 40-80 mEq daily. It is easy to get that amount from your diet….
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is a non-metallic element that is essential for life. It is a component of DNA and cell membranes, and forms part of the molecule used to transport cellular energy. As the partner to calcium in calcium phosphate, phosphorus is also important for the health of bones and teeth. Low blood phosphate (hypophosphatemia) can result…