Health Vitamins and Minerals Guide

The mineral zinc is needed for more than 300 enzymes used by the body. These enzymes are responsible for such diverse functions as wound repair, fertility, protein synthesis, cellular reproduction, vision, immunity, and free radical protection.

Zinc gluconate lozenges shortens the duration of cold symptoms. Taking zinc gluconate lozenges has been reported to halve the number of days cold symptoms are present. (more…)

Vitamin-D deficiency rickets, a disorder that becomes apparent during infancy or childhood, is the result of insufficient amounts of vitamin D in the body. The vitamin deficiency may be caused by poor nutrition, a lack of exposure to the sun, or malabsorption syndromes in which the intestines do not adequately absorb nutrients from foods. Vitamin D is needed for the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus in the body, which, in turn affects how calcium is deposited in the bones; thus it is considered essential for proper bone development and growth. Major symptoms of vitamin D deficiency rickets include bone disease, restlessness, and slow growth. (more…)

Flaxseed is the most highly concentrated plant source of alpha linolenic acid, an omega 3 fatty acid similar to that found in salmon and other fatty fish therefore providing an alternative to vegetarians to get omega 3 fatty acids in their diet. Flaxseed has been shown in many studies to offer heart healthy benefits by lowering total and LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol). It may also help lower triglycerides and blood pressure as well as keep platelets from becoming sticky reducing the chance of a heart attack. (more…)

 The term vitamin E describes a family of eight antioxidants, four tocopherols, alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-, and four tocotrienols (also alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-). Alpha-tocopherol is the only form of vitamin E that is actively maintained in the human body and is therefore, the form of vitamin E found in the largest quantities in the blood and tissue (1). Because alpha-tocopherol is the form of vitamin E that appears to have the greatest nutritional significance, it will be the primary topic of the following discussion. It is also the only form that meets the latest Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin E. (more…)