Vitamins, Minerals, and Muscles.

The muscles of the body depend heavily on the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients we provide them for their health and performance. By being sure to consume the standard recommended daily intake levels of the nutrients our bodies need, we can help to keep our muscles strong and healthy, able to perform their important tasks.

Muscles do far more than help us to look good and lift things. The heart is the essential muscle of the body, as it runs the circulatory system. Our muscles help to keep our internal organs in place and to perform each and every movement we make, from chewing and swallowing to controlling our bladder to sitting, standing and walking. Healthy muscles are essential to our day-to-day lives. There are several vitamins and minerals that directly affect the health and performance of our muscles.

Potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus work together in seeing to it that the muscles are able to contract smoothly and effectively, as they should. This is, of course, essential to keeping the heart beating in a regular and efficient fashion. However, that is not the only place in the body that the ability to contract is important. Each muscle needs this ability.

Vitamin C is essential to the health and performance of muscles because it works with potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus in their muscle regulation tasks. Vitamin C is also necessary to the formation of collagen and elastin, which are important connective tissues of the body, forming the structure of muscles. Vitamin C also is responsible for the health of the blood vessels, which support the muscles need for oxygen and nutrients.

Naturally, as with most of the important processes and systems of the body, the vitamins that make up the powerful and essential Vitamin B complex have a role in the health and function of the muscles. In fact, deficiencies in the B vitamins can lead to all sorts of muscle problems, including a lack of coordination. The B vitamins are greatly responsible for the creation of the red blood cells that support the entire body.

Nutrition is an essential part in seeing to it that the muscles have what they need to function efficiently and to be strong. Exercise is also an important part of muscle health and strength, and should be a part of any health plan that is seeking to increase the health, strength and endurance of the muscles. However, before beginning any exercise program after a period of inattention to physical activity, it is a good idea to have a general physical and to increase your level of physical activity gradually.

Sometimes, at the rapid pace of today’s life, it can be difficult to obtain all of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that the body and its muscles need through diet alone. Nutritional supplements, when used with care and attention to standard dosage practice, can be an effective and reliable way to see to it that each and every day you are able to meet the standard recommended daily intake levels of nutrients you need for the health and well being of your body and your mind.

Vitamins, Minerals and Growth.

Each and every bodily process has its base in the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are consumed, and the process of growth is no exception. From the growth and development that takes place in the uterus to infants growing into children to children growing into adolescence and then adulthood, nutrition influences every level of growth. Improper nutrition not only can slow growth, but also can cause birth defects and malformed limbs, as well as a variety of other physical deformities.

The vitamins that make up the Vitamin B complex are truly an amazing group. Necessary to many physical and mental structures and functions of the body, including cognitive and emotional functioning, the Vitamin B complex is also essential to the proper growth of children. In particular, Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, due to its cobalt content, is an important part of normal growth in children. It also serves to build genetic material and to maintain the central nervous system. Children need .9 micrograms to 2.4 micrograms, depending on size and age. Folic acid, or Vitamin B9, is also essential to growth, especially in the uterus. Sufficient folic acid taken during the earliest parts of pregnancy can prevent serious birth defects, specifically neural tube defects of the sort that result in spinal bifida. It also serves to create and form DNA.

The mineral zinc is also essential to the normal growth of children, as is iodine, which is essential to the functioning of the thyroid, and thus influences body weight. In the developing nations, specifically where the soil that crops are grown in lack iodine and iodized salt is not common, retarded growth is all too common. Children, depending on age and size need 10mg to 15mg of zinc daily and 70 micrograms to 150 micrograms of iodine each day.

The quality of the growth of bones rests firmly upon the levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin K present in the body. These nutrients work together, each according to its specific capacities, complementing each other in the creation of the hard surfaces of the bones and teeth. Because the bones are constantly losing calcium, which needs to be continuously replaced, and the rapid growth that occurs from the development in the uterus right through adulthood, maintaining the levels of these nutrients is essential to normal growth.

It can sometimes be difficult to get children and adolescents to consume all the nutrients that are so essential to their growth and health. Nutritional supplements can be a safe and reliable means of seeing that children and adolescents reach the standard recommended daily intake levels of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients each and every day. However, because taking too much of certain vitamins and minerals can cause serious health problems, it is advisable to have the child’s primary health care provider serve as an active participant in devising a nutritional supplement plan that is specific to your child’s dietary needs. Always keep dietary supplements well out of reach of children to avoid any potentially harmful accidents.

Vitamin K and Health.

Vitamin K is among the less well known of the vitamins that are essential parts of a healthy diet. Vitamin K serves many important purposes in the body, and attention to ingesting the recommended daily intake levels is necessary to the overall health of the body. In addition to the benefits to physical health, Vitamin K has also been found to have cosmetic benefits as well.

One of the most important purposes that Vitamin K serves in the body is the control of blood clotting. In fact, it plays a significant role in the production of thrombin, which is one of the most important of the bodily substances related to blood clotting. Deficiencies can cause frequent nosebleeds and internal bleeding. A deficiency in Vitamin K is particularly serious for infants, especially those who are born prematurely, as it can contribute bleeding in the brain.

Vitamin K is also important to the health of the bones. It is involved both in their formation and in the repair of bones that are fractured or otherwise damaged. Recent studies have found that Vitamin K may help to prevent or at least decrease the severity of osteoporosis and other bone diseases that cause what is called slow bone loss.

There are a variety of other physical benefits attributed to Vitamin K. It is important to the proper growth and development of babies in the uterus. There are very specific birth defects that are associated with Vitamin K deficiency. These include flat nasal bridges, cupped ears, shortened fingers and underdevelopment of the nose, mouth and the middle area of the face.

However, with that said, it is important to remember that high levels of Vitamin K should be avoided during the last trimester of pregnancy because, as with all dietary supplements and medications, too much can be dangerous for the baby. You should always discuss each and every dietary supplement you take during your pregnancy with your healthcare provider, even if it is something you’ve been taking for years and is a substance you know well.

There are a variety of prescription medications that can interfere with absorption or the body’s ability to use Vitamin K. In fact, high doses of certain vitamins and minerals can do the same. It is important, then, to discuss your supplement plan with a licensed nutritionist and, if you are taking prescription medications, with your health care provider. Vitamin K is very important to the body and must not be neglected or used incorrectly.

The cosmetic uses of Vitamin K include success in treating those dark circles under the eyes. Because of its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, research has found Vitamin K to be useful in combating the visual signs of the aging of the skin.

Using dietary supplements that contain Vitamin K can be a safe and secure means of making sure that the body meets the daily intake requirements for this essential vitamin, provided that dosage instructions are followed carefully. This is especially important during pregnancy, for although Vitamin K plays a vital role in the normal growth and development of the baby during pregnancy, too much can be toxic.

Vitamin E Has An Important Role.

Vitamin E has long been known to have an important role in the all over health of the body. Some studies have associated sufficient intake levels with the prevention of many serious health problems, and research still continues to delve into the many effects of this important nutrient. One thing that researchers do know for sure, according to recent studies published by the United States Department of Agriculture, most people do not consume the daily requirement of this important vitamin.

Vitamin E protects Vitamin A in the body, allowing it to perform its essential functions. Furthermore, Vitamin E is also one of the anti-oxidants that serve to protect the cells of the body from the damaging free radicals, which are waste products from the making of energy. Uncontrolled free radicals are thought to contribute to a variety of serious diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Vitamin E is also thought to have a role in DNA repair and in the body’s natural immune system.

It is important to note here that vitamins, minerals and other nutrients play important roles in the body at the correct levels of intake, meaning that more is not always better. Mega-dosing is something that should always be discussed with a physician, not a salesperson. Supplements can play a vital role in making sure that the body receives the nutrients it needs to be healthy and strong, as well as in the protection of the body from the numerous diseases and health problems associated with the failure to consume the proper daily intake levels of important vitamins and minerals. But, like any other medicine, using supplements inappropriately can be dangerous.

As many people pay attention to reducing fats in their diets, they may unwittingly be reducing their daily intake of Vitamin E, as Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils and nuts, as it is in dark, leafy green vegetables. Maintaining optimum levels of health means that we must be honest with ourselves. We know that there are certain foods we should eat – such as fresh vegetables and fruits. But, often we do not, pressed by time or simple through a lack of desire, many of us simply do not consume near enough of these important foods. In these circumstances, supplements may be the best choice to ensure that the body gets what it needs to be strong and healthy.

There are many types of supplements on the market. Understanding what you are looking for will help you to make the best decision about which supplement is best for your individual dietary needs. Vitamin E supplements primarily come in two general types, natural and pharmaceutical. The natural is usually listed on the label as alpha-tocopheryl acetate D-form, while the man-made type is listed as D,L. The man-made version is half as effective as the natural compound.

Dietary supplements are powerful agents, valuable tools in guarding the health of the body and can offer significant protection against illness and disease. These powerful tools should be used with care and attention. Supplementing the diet with Vitamin E can play an important role in your daily health routine, when used correctly, at the levels most suited to your individual dietary and health needs.

Vitamin D And Your Health.

Vitamin D is a nutrient that works in partnership with several other vitamins and minerals to keep the body health and strong. However, it should be noted that of the essential vitamins, Vitamin D is among the most difficult to obtain the daily requirement through naturally occurring sources. Most of those concerned with making sure that they consume enough Vitamin D rely upon Vitamin D fortified foods and dietary supplements to achieve sufficient daily intake.

Especially important in bone heath and strength, Vitamin D helps to ensure calcium absorption. It can increase calcium absorption by 30% to 80%. Rickets and other diseases that cause the bones to be weak, misshapen or brittle are a great risk for those who consistently do not meet the daily intake requirements of Vitamin D. Recent scientific research has found that Vitamin D, in addition to being beneficial to the immune system, plays a significant role in cell growth and differentiation, meaning the cells take on the specialized characteristics necessary to perform tasks in specific parts of the body.

In order to have a sufficient intake of Vitamin D, adults older than 70 should have 600 International Units, or IU, per day and those from 51 years of age to 70 should have 400 IU each day. People from 14 years of age through to 50 years should have 200 IU daily, and children should also have a daily Vitamin D intake of 200 IU.

Sunlight plays a role in making Vitamin D useful for the body, and is one the more important natural ways of helping to obtain the daily intake requirement of this important nutrient. As lifestyles have changed through the years, people are not getting the same degree of sun exposure today as they have in the past. In addition, in certain geographic regions, sun exposure is reduced for a good part of the year due to winter weather conditions.

That means that there is a significant portion of the population that is at risk of failing to meet the daily requirement levels of Vitamin D. For example, those who live in the northeast, those who work inside, and those who may be older and have health problems that keep them inside more than they were when more active may suffer deficiencies. People who have a high melanin level, those with darker skin tones, may also not be getting enough Vitamin D, for the melanin that offers certain protections also interferes with Vitamin D production. For these groups especially, Vitamin D supplements should be seriously considered. Simple and safe, it is a good option. Breastfed babies also may suffer from Vitamin D deficiency. However, with the nearly immeasurable benefits of breastfeeding, a simple oral supplement prescribed by a health care professional is the very best option.

Vitamin D is a nutrient that is essential to bone strength and health. Changing lifestyles and geographic location, in addition to other natural factors, can make it difficult to obtain the most effective daily intake requirements for many people. Using a safe and simple dietary supplement containing Vitamin D can be an important part of maintaining your health.

Vitamin B5 and Health.

Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, serves the body in many ways. It is a member of the nutritionally elite group of eight vitamins known collectively as the Vitamin B complex. This powerful group of vitamins has a role nearly every major body system and process. The Vitamin B complex serves to keep both body and mind functioning and in good health.

Vitamin B5, like all of the vitamins that form the B complex, is essential to the body’s ability to use the food it takes in as fuel for its myriad of processes, great and small. It works in the regular maintenance and repair of all bodily tissues, from the cellular level up. This makes it an essential part of the body’s efforts to fight the physical damage that excessive stress contributes to.

Vitamin B5 serves many important functions in the nervous system, especially in terms of nerve function and health. Among the contributions that Vitamin B5 makes to the nervous system is the production of neurotransmitters, which are important to the ability of the nerves to communicate.

Because of its important role in the growth and health of the hair and necessity to healthy skin, it is used frequently in a variety of cosmetic products. Vitamin B5, acting as a cofactor to other members of the Vitamin B complex and other nutrients, has an important role in the functioning of the adrenal glands and also serves to promote normal growth of the body, due to its role in hormone production throughout the body.

Deficiency in Vitamin B5 can have a variety of negative consequences for the body and the mind. Physical symptoms include fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakened immune system, abdominal pain, neurological disorders, muscle weakness and cramps, increased insulin sensitivity, acne, digestive problems, and slow or retarded growth.

Mental symptoms of Vitamin B5 include depression, personality disorders and change, sleep disturbances, and insomnia, which generally makes most other deficiency symptoms feel much worse. In general, adults should have about 5mg of Vitamin B5 per day, with women increasing their daily intake to 6mg to 7mg while pregnant or breastfeeding. Children, depending on size and weight, should have about 2mg to 4mg of Vitamin B5 each day.

The importance of the Vitamin B complex to physical health and mental functioning cannot be overstated. For optimum performance of the body and the mind, including cognitive functions and emotional responses and stability, the standard recommended daily intake levels of these vitamins should be achieved every day. Because these are water-soluble vitamins, they are washed away daily with the urine and thus, the body’s supply of these essential nutrients must be renewed daily.

Nutritional supplements are a reliable and safe way to meet these important nutritional goals, provided that attention is given to the accepted limits of dosage. Too much of any nutrient can be toxic, and often can cause as much damage as having too little. The body is a delicately balanced system, and requires that balance to be maintained to function at its best.

Vitamin B3, Called Niacin, And Health.

Vitamin B3 is one of the vitamins that make up the nutritional powerhouse known as the Vitamin B complex. Vitamin B3 is also called niacin, nicotinic acid and niacinamide, and serves many vital purposes in the functioning of the body and the mind.

Vitamin B3 works with the other B vitamins to change food to energy. It also serves to regulate the appetite, as well as the digestive system. Its primary tasks within the digestive system relate to controlling the levels at which bile and other stomach fluids are secreted.

Among the other important contributions Vitamin B3 makes to the health of the body is the essential role it plays in the respiration of the cells, its role in keeping the nervous system healthy, and its relationship to the production of the hormones associated with reproduction. Vitamin B3 is also important to the health of the body’s biggest organ – the skin.

Vitamin B3 plays an important role in mental health, and recent research has made some intriguing connections between the use of Vitamin B3 supplements and the production of serotonin. By using the supplements, L-Tryptophan then doesn’t have to be spent by the body in the making of niacin, thus freeing the L-Tryptophan to be taken to the nervous system, where it is processed into 5-http, which leads to the production of serotonin, important for mood and feelings of well-being. Serotonin imbalance has been shown to be associated with anxiety and depression.

Vitamin B3 is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that it is washed out of the body via the urine and the body must renew its supply of this vital nutrient daily. Deficiencies of vitamin B3 can have serious health consequences for both the body and the mind.

Physical symptoms of a niacin deficiency can include muscular weakness and a lack of muscular control, particularly in the larger muscles masses, such as those found in the legs. Other physical symptoms are open sores on the skin and in the mouth, a swollen tongue and chronic bad breathe, loss of appetite, chronic diarrhea, joint pain, low blood sugar and headaches. It can also cause the disease pellagra, which presents with such symptoms as severe dermatitis, diarrhea and dementia. Mental symptoms of a serious can include depression, fatigue, and insomnia. The insomnia makes all of the other symptoms, physical and mental, that much harder to bear.

Dietary supplements are a safe and effective way to be sure that you meet the recommended daily requirements of B3 in your diet. However, it is important to use dietary supplements according to the standard dose levels, as taking too much can cause other health problems, some serious in nature. There are cases in which higher than standard does may be recommended, such as to combat symptoms that have been brought about by deficiencies. However, taking does higher than the standard levels should only be done when under the care of a qualified healthcare professional. Dietary supplements, like all medications, should always be kept out of the reach of children.

Vitamin B2 and Health.

Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, is a member of the group of eight vitamins that make up the nutritional powerhouse known as the Vitamin B complex. These vitamins are vital to the functioning of the body in almost every way, playing important roles in each of the bodily systems. In addition to their powerful influence on the physical health of the body, the Vitamin B complex is essential to mental functioning, including cognition and the stability of emotional response. Vitamin B2 has many roles in human health and functioning.

Vitamin B2 is an essential part of the fundamental workings of the blood. It serves in the production of red blood cells, the means by which oxygen, vital to every cell in the body, is transported through the circulatory system. It is also essential in the production of antibodies and the body’s absorption of iron. It serves the digestive system by helping the body to make use of the energy potential in carbohydrates. It serves to protect the health of the mucus membranes, especially those that act within the digestive process to keep the foods consumed moving smoothly through the digestive tract. It is a cofactor, or partner, in the metabolism of amino acids, fatty acids, and certain proteins.

Because it plays a role in the regulation of the activity of the thyroid, it is important to normal growth and development, as well as to the reproductive system. Vitamin B2 serves as a cofactor to Vitamin B6, which could not be active within the body without Vitamin B2, in many processes and also helps in making niacin useful to the body. It also has a role in adrenal gland function. It is important to tissue repair in the body, and helps to keep the skin healthy, as well as the hair and the fingernails and toenails. It is essential to good vision, and may play a role in the prevention of cataracts.

Deficiency in Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, can cause a variety of physical and mental symptoms. Among these are skin disorders that range from simple dermatitis to open sores on the internal and external parts of the mouth, inflammation of the inner mouth and tongue, hair loss, slow or retarded growth, vision problems, itching, burning and watering of eyes, digestive difficulties, tremors, and oily skin. Mental symptoms include dizziness, slowed mental processes, and insomnia, which can serve to make any and all of the other symptoms much feel worse. Children, depending on size and weight, need between .6mg to .9mg of Vitamin B2 per day. Adult males generally need about 1.3mg daily of Vitamin B2. Adult females require 1.1mg daily, and should increase the daily dosage to 1.5mg if pregnant or breastfeeding.

The Vitamin B complex nutrients are essential to the functioning and health of the body and the mind, and it is important to avoid deficiencies. Nutritional supplements serve as a safe and effective means of guaranteeing that your body has the Vitamin B2 that it needs each and every day.

Vitamin B1 In The Body And The Brain.

Vitamin B1, also called thiamine, is one of the eight vitamins that make up the powerful Vitamin B complex. Like all of the B vitamins, this nutrient plays a great role in the health of the body and the health of the mind. Care should be taken to maintain the recommended daily intake levels of this essential nutrient, as the results of deficiencies can be devastating in nature.

Vitamin B1 serves many purposes in the body. It is an essential part of converting carbohydrates to energy, and necessary to the proper functioning of the nervous system, the heart and the musculature system of the body. Thiamine is very important to the brain, particularly in terms of emotional health and well being, as well as being useful for focus and concentration.

There are a variety of physical conditions and diseases associated with deficiencies in Vitamin B1. Symptoms include pain, numbness and tingling in the extremities, muscle weakness and a lack of physical coordination, particularly in the larger muscle masses that make up the leg muscles. A deficiency in thiamine can cause enlargement of the heart, which can itself lead to congestive heart failure, and lung congestion. A severe deficiency in Vitamin B1 can lead to nerve damage, brain damage and even death. Mental symptoms associated with a serious lack of Vitamin B include fatigue, psychosis, and confusion.

These are a few serious diseases specifically associated with a deficiency of Vitamin B1, including the notorious beriberi disease. There are also two specific types of brain damage associated with severely low levels of Vitamin B1. One, Korsakoff syndrome, results in confusion and short term memory loss. Another, Wernicke’s Disease has symptoms that include vision disturbances and irregularities, an unsteady walk, and mental confusion.

Despite the obvious importance of Vitamin B1 to many of the body’s important functions, a great deal of people regularly fail to meet the recommended daily intake levels. Alcoholics are particularly vulnerable to being deficient in Vitamin B1, because alcohol ruins the B vitamins. Illnesses that force bodily fluids from the body, such as chronic diarrhea, can deplete the body’s levels of thiamine, because it is a water-soluble vitamin and the body needs to have its supply renewed every day. There are also rare conditions that interfere with the body’s ability to use Vitamin B1 properly.

Dietary supplements are an affordable, safe and effective way to consistently meet the recommended daily intake levels of Vitamin B1. It is especially important, however, when taking supplements to use them with care and attention, because taking too much Vitamin B1 can cause adverse side effects and even serious health problems. As with all substances, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. While there are certain health situations that do call for higher than average doses of this powerful B vitamin, high dosages should only be taken while under the direct care of a qualified health care professional. Like any other medication or dietary supplement, Vitamin B1 supplements should always be kept well out of the reach of children.

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies and Depression and Other Mental Disorders.

When we think of the benefits of being sure that our daily consumption of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients reaches recommended daily intake levels, we usually think in terms of the physical health of the body. However, it is important to be aware of the fact that deficiencies in the daily intake of vitamins and minerals can negatively impact our mental processes as well. Recent research has indicated that such deficiencies can even contribute to one of the most common mental disorders of all -- depression.

The Vitamin B complex is incredibly important to our mental well-being and functioning. Indeed, even relatively small deficiencies can have an adverse effect. Serious deficiencies can contribute to serious mental illnesses. In terms of mental health alone, the importance of making sure that that the daily diet meets the recommended daily intake levels of the Vitamin B complex cannot be overstated.

As an interesting aside, those with alcohol problems – often abused in an attempt to self-medicate for depression and the abuse of which often contributes to depression – are often suffering from Vitamin B complex deficiencies. That is because alcohol destroys Vitamin B in its various forms.

A lack of thiamine can lead to a lack of energy. This, in turn, can lead to deep fatigue, anxiety, depression and even to suicidal thoughts. It can bring on insomnia, which can exasperate each and every one of those symptoms. Serious deficiency in niacin has been clinically associated with such mental symptoms as cognitive slowness in regard to the processing of information, dementia, anxiety and psychosis. Vitamin B5 has been found to play a role in the formation of hormones and other brain chemical processes that are related to mood. Deficiency can lead to feelings of stress and certain types of clinically diagnosed depression. Vitamin B6 is essential to the production of serotonin and dopamine. Long-term deficiencies in Vitamin B12 can lead to such mental disorders as serious mood swings, mania, paranoia, dementia, and even hallucinations.

Vitamin C also is important in the prevention or easing of depression. It is important to note that many common medications, both over the counter and prescription, can rob the body of Vitamin C, leading some doctors to recommend partnering such medications with Vitamin C supplements.

Deficiencies in a number of minerals have been associated with depression and other mental disorders. Among these are magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, and manganese. Some of these combine with other nutrients that are important in the formation and release of serotonin and other compounds directly related to mood. Other mental symptoms associated with deficiencies in these essential minerals include paranoia, confusion, anxiety, depression, fatigue and tearfulness.

The brain, and thus our mental processes, is ruled by the chemical interactions that take place within it. These chemicals are delicately balanced, and nutrition plays an integral role both in the formation of these essential chemicals and the maintenance of their balance. On every level of mental mood and functioning, it is absolutely necessary that we make sure to achieve the recommended daily intake levels of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Dietary supplements, when used according to recommended dosages, are a safe means of seeing to it that our minds perform at peak levels.

Trace Mineral Elements and Your Health.

Trace elements are those minerals that, although essential to the processes of the body, are necessary in very small or trace amounts, unlike other minerals such as calcium, potassium and sodium, which are among what are called macro-minerals, as we need much larger amounts of these. While the standard recommended intake level of macro-minerals is usually more than 100mg per day, the standard recommended daily intake level of trace minerals is much lower.

Minerals are essential to the functioning of the body. Literally thousands of enzymes depend upon individual minerals and combinations of various minerals to perform their tasks. Enzymes are essential to most biological processes, ranging from digesting food to converting it to a form cells can use to the creation of the very substances that hold the body together.

Perhaps the most well known of the trace element minerals is iron, which came to be recognized as such by Claude Bernard in the 1850’s. Iron plays many roles in the body, as it is an essential component of many enzymes, which perform tasks ranging from transporting oxygen throughout the body to storing energy and making it available to the body. For adult men, the standard recommended daily intake level of iron is 10 mg, and for women it is 15mg.

Zinc came to be recognized by the scientific community as an essential nutrient around the turn of the 20th century. Zinc, like all minerals, is a fundamental part of many enzymes responsible for a variety of bodily functions, including those involved different types of metabolism processes. Zinc is especially important to the growth of children, sexual maturation, wound healing, and the sense of taste. It also has antioxidant properties. The standard recommended daily intake level for adult males is 15mg, and for adult females it is 12mg.

Selenium was universally accepted as an essential nutrient in the 1950’s and came to be known as having antioxidant properties in 1973, due to its importance in enzyme processes that bring free radicals under control. In partnership with Vitamin E, it serves as a powerful antioxidant, with many studies associating selenium with a reduced incidence of a variety of different cancers, as well as helping to prevent heart disease. The standard recommended daily intake level for adult males is 70mg, and for adult females it is 55mg.

Iodine is another important trace mineral. It has an essential function to the body, in that it serves to regulate the thyroid, which controls many of the body functions via hormone production. Adults need a mere 150 micrograms daily. Without it, however, serious health consequences can occur.

Other essential trace elements include chromium, which is necessary to many important functions within the body, such as sugar metabolism and the regulation of blood sugar levels, as well as for the transportation of amino acids. Copper and manganese are two more that have essential roles in important antioxidant enzymes. There are several more trace elements that, although required in minute amounts, serve the body in many important ways. One of most common ways these minerals are ingested is through plants that have been grown in soil that contains these elements. However, as soil quality varies, so too does mineral content.

Dietary supplements, when taken with care and attention to standard dosage recommendations, can be a reliable and effective means of ensuring that you are receiving the right amount of these essential trace element minerals.

The Antioxidant Vitamins.

The antioxidant vitamins perform many essential tasks within the body. In recent years, a great deal of research has been done concerning the abilities of the antioxidant vitamins to prevent certain diseases, ranging from cancer to heart ailments. Many studies have shown promising results, and researchers continue their efforts at determining all of the ways that these powerful antioxidant vitamins protect our health and well being.

One of the many important tasks that antioxidant vitamins perform is that of bringing free radicals under control. A free radical is an unstable molecule, operating within the much larger context of a cell. What makes it unstable is that it is lacking an electron. Electrons are a part of the system that enables chemical reactions within the body. Chemical and electrical actions and reactions are the base of all operations of the body.

The free radical lacks an electron because it is the result of the splitting of a structure weakened by either one of the body’s natural metabolizing processes or by some external contaminant, such as pollution or cigarette smoke. The free radical attacks other molecules, seeking its missing part, which leads to its molecule victim becoming a free radical as well. When enough free radicals accumulate with a cell, the cell can be damaged, or worse.

Antioxidant vitamins have the power to bring these free radicals under control. They do this by meeting the free radicals’ most basic needs, by giving them the electrons they need to be stable. Thus, the antioxidant vitamins remove the free radicals’ motive for aggression and crime -- their motive to attack other molecules to steal their electrons, thereby creating still more free radicals -- and bring an end to the free radical crime wave that threatened the very existence of their world and restore social order and peace to their world, the cell, and perhaps even to their universe, the body.

The primary antioxidant vitamins are Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A. They do not become free radical themselves when they give an electron to the unstable molecule, because they have the special capacity to remain stable with or without the electron. It is through this interaction with the free radicals that the antioxidant vitamins are able to assist in the prevention of damage to tissues and cells that could lead to disease.

Numerous studies have found that the antioxidant vitamins may offer protection against a variety of cancers. Other studies have associated antioxidant vitamins with helping to lower blood pressure. Controlling free radicals, as the antioxidant vitamins do, is thought to be an important part of defending the body and the mind against the effects of aging. In addition to continuous studies concerning antioxidant vitamins potential in preventing cancers, heart disease, and diabetes related conditions, researchers are also paying close attention to the possibilities antioxidant vitamins may hold for Alzheimer's disease.

Dietary supplements offer a safe and convenient means of meeting the suggested daily intake requirements of these powerful antioxidant vitamins, provided that the standard dosage recommendations are followed. The chemical balance that allows the body to operate at peak performance can be seriously disrupted by taking too much of any supplement. A licensed nutritionist or your health care provider can best advise you on the dosage most suitable to your individual dietary needs and health goals.

The Antioxidant Minerals.

Because the antioxidant vitamins tend to get most of the press and publicity, many people are unaware that there are also important antioxidant minerals that are essential to the body’s continuous battle against free radicals and the damage they do. Making sure that the proper nutrients are consumed daily is a necessary part of helping the body to be able to keep free radical damage as low as possible.

A mineral, vitamin or other nutrient is deemed antioxidant if it, on its own or as an essential part of a group of substances, it serves to bring free radicals under control. Free radicals are unstable molecules that generally come from both environmental contaminants and some of the body’s natural processes. There are certain minerals that are an integral part of managing the free radical population within the body.

Selenium has come to be recognized as one of the most important of these minerals, though each does play an important role in free radical management. Selenium is an essential component of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, and this substance is one that is able to stabilize the free radical.

Since the universal acceptance of the mineral selenium, a trace element, as an essential nutrient during the 1950’s, researchers have been studying the ways that it affects health. In 1973, researchers confirmed the antioxidant properties of the mineral selenium, and since then, numerous studies have demonstrated that it may play a significant role in the prevention of certain types of cancers. However, it should be noted that excessively high levels of selenium can cause serious health problems – as can deficiencies of selenium – and some studies have found excessively high levels of selenium to be associated with other types of cancer. The body is a delicate balance of a variety of chemicals and substances, and optimum performance requires thought and planning.

The minerals zinc and copper form part of another of the body’s important antioxidant enzymes. This enzyme, called superoxide dismutase, is present in the body in two forms. The first form is found almost everywhere in the body, and it needs zinc and copper to function.

The second form of this important antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase is found specifically in the mitochondria, which is the part of the cell responsible for changing the energy that comes from the various nutrients into a form that can be used by the cells. In this second form of the enzyme superoxide dismutase, it is the mineral zinc and the mineral manganese that are essential to the antioxidant enzyme’s ability to function properly.

Making sure that the body has all of the minerals, vitamins and other nutrients it needs each day is very important for both day-to-day and long-term health and well-being. Dietary supplements are a safe and effective means of seeing that the body does have all of the nutrients it needs for all of its systems to work at peak performance levels, especially those that maintain daily health and those that protect health over the long-term. However, nutritional supplements are powerful agents, and must be used within the established dosage guidelines to be beneficial to the health. Used in this fashion, dietary supplements can serve as a valuable part of any health routine.

Sodium As An Essential Nutrient.

Sodium, in its many forms and compounds, is an element that reaches far into the universe, being a component of the stars, as well as serving as an essential nutrient for the human body. Although it was not isolated in a pure form until 1807, by Sir Humphrey Davy, it was deliberately used in connection with human health for centuries. In Europe, for example, during the medieval era, sodium was used as part of a headache remedy. With all the negative press concerning sodium intake we witness today, it is easy to forget that sodium is indeed an essential nutrient, necessary to the health and functioning of the body.

Sodium has an important role in the circulatory system. The body needs it to regulate the blood pressure, as well as the volume of the blood itself. It also serves to protect from dangerous blood clotting in the blood vessels. This occurs in relation to its actions in the balancing of the fluids in the body, working with potassium and chloride in these processes. Another aspect of sodium’s function in the body that makes it important to both the circulatory system and the muscular system is its participation in the processes that serve to help the muscles contract smoothly and regularly, meaning that it helps to regulate heartbeat, and the ways in which it serves nerve function, helping the nerves to be able to communicate effectively.

Sodium, like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, is an electrolyte, and controls the electrical charges that travel from cell to cell, part of the cellular communication process. Without sodium to help the brain and nerves communicate, the basic five senses through which you experience the outside world would not function properly. It helps in the removal of cellular waste products.

Sodium also has an important role in the digestive system, particularly in the metabolism of food to useful and accessible energy for the bodily processes. It helps prevent the digestive acids from burning the stomach lining. It works closely with potassium in some processes, making the balance between these two minerals very important in the body. Sodium is essential to the functioning of the pancreas, spleen and liver. It helps to keep the joints flexible and limber.

While sodium deficiency in the long-term sense is rare, there are times in which deficiency can occur, particularly during illnesses that include bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. In these types of situations, the essential balance of all of the electrolytes is threatened, and must be treated rapidly. This is especially important in infants and children. Chronic diarrhea is well known as a particularly virulent killer of children and the elderly in the poverty centers of the developing nations.
The body is a delicately balanced system of complex chemical reactions that depend heavily on the nutrients that are consumed daily to function properly. Nutritional supplements can serve as a safe and effective means of seeing that the body has the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that it needs to support the many essential and complex chemical reactions and interactions that are the foundation of each and every one of the bodily systems.

Selenium And Health.

In recent years, the value of the trace mineral selenium to overall health and well being has come to light. Numerous important health benefits have come to be associated with maintaining sufficient levels of selenium in the body, and recent research indicates that this mineral can play an important role in protecting the body from serious disease and illness.

Selenium is especially important in the body’s ongoing battle against free radical damage. In the body, selenium is the source of selenoproteins, which are essential anti-oxidant enzymes and are important to protecting the cells from the damage that unchecked free radicals can do. Some research has associated free radicals with certain types of heart disease and cancers.

In addition to their important role in the control of free radical damage, selenoproteins also serve to strengthen the body’s natural immune system and also helps to produce anti-bodies. Selenium has also been found be involved in helping to keep the thyroid functioning at peak levels. The thyroid is responsible for many aspects of health, including the body’s metabolism. Some studies indicate that selenium can be useful in the treatment of acne and still other research indicates that it may be useful in repairing chromosome damage. It is thought to counteract heavy metals and other contaminants that find their way into the body, as well as to help in the prevention of unwanted and dangerous blood clots.

Deficiency in selenium can have a variety of significant health consequences. Indeed, researchers have found three debilitating diseases that are directly related to serious selenium deficiency. These include Myxedematous Endemic Cretinism, which leaves the victim severely and irreversibly mentally retarded, Keshan Disease, which leaves selenium deficient children with an enlarged heart that often does not function properly, and Kashin-Beck Disease, which causes osteoarthropathy.

The amount of selenium provided by plant sources depends a good deal on the quality of the soil the plants were grown in. Thus, poor soil will yield plants that may not provide the expected levels of this important mineral. That means that those who follow a vegetarian diet, particularly a vegan diet, which uses no animal products whatsoever, must be especially vigilant in making sure that they consume enough selenium in their daily diets. A dietary supplement that contains selenium is a safe and sure means of seeing to it that the diet is not lacking in this important nutrient.

Selenium is a trace mineral, which means that the body needs relatively small amounts of it. In the same way that too little can cause serious health problems, taking too much selenium can also cause health problems. Large amounts can be toxic, and selenium supplements, like any other dietary supplement or medication should be kept well out of the reach of children at all times.

Dietary supplements have an important role in overall health and well being, but they must be treated with the respect that their powerful properties demand. Always take supplements according to the accepted dosage recommendations, unless you have specific and personalized alternative dosage instructions from a qualified health care provider.

Potassium and Health.

Potassium is a mineral that serves a variety of purposes within the body. Despite its importance to so many of the body’s functions and systems, most people do not consume the standard recommended daily levels of this essential mineral. This is unfortunate, as long-term deficiency can contribute to and even directly cause a variety of health problems.

One of the important functions of potassium is to help regulate the fluid levels of the body. It also has a role in blood pressure, helps to keep the heart working properly, and is important to the nervous system. Potassium works to promote the proper functioning of the tissue that makes up the nervous system. It also serves to enhance muscle control, and the growth and health of cells, particularly through its importance in waste product removal. It also is necessary to the kidneys in their waste removal tasks. Potassium is also important to mental function, as well as to physical processes. It helps to promote efficient cognitive functioning by playing a significant role in getting oxygen to the brain.

Failing to meet the standard recommended daily intake levels can lead to a variety of negative consequences for both physical well being and mental health. Physical symptoms can include muscular cramps and twitching, muscular weakness, even actual muscle damage, poor reflexes, fatigue, fragile bones, irregular heartbeat and other cardiovascular irregularities, kidney failure, lung failure, and cardiac arrest. Mental symptoms can include nervous disorders of various types, anorexia, insomnia, a slowdown of cognitive processes, and depression.

There are certain health situations that can make a person more susceptible to suffering from a deficiency of potassium. These include alcoholism, health conditions requiring the use of certain types of diuretics, periods of high stress, and illnesses or conditions that result in extended periods of diarrhea and vomiting. Some situations of our own making can contribute to potassium deficiency, such as excessive caffeine use, a diet made up of mostly processed foods, and a diet that includes excessive amounts of salt.

Our bodies are intricate systems in which there is a delicate chemical balance that keeps everything functioning as it should. Disruptions to the system are going to have consequences, with some being more severe than others. Some of these consequences can take the form of disease or irreversible damage. Prevention is always better than trying to cure illness or repair damage. One of the most important parts of prevention is good nutrition, making sure that you regularly consume the standard recommended daily intake levels of the vitamins, mineral and other nutrients your body needs.

Nutritional supplements offer an efficient and reliable means of meeting daily dietary needs. Because the balance of nutrients is so important to achieving the optimum standards of performance and health, you may want to consider setting up a consultation with either a licensed nutritionist or your health care provider to create a personalized supplement plan, one that will be best suited to your individual dietary need and health goals.

Phosphorus and Health.

Phosphorus was isolated as a specific and separate element in 1669, by a German alchemist named Hennig Brand, and is found in all living cells. An integral part of life and health, this mineral element is essential to the structure and function of much of the body.

The mineral phosphorus is best known as a nutrient for its role in the creation of bones and teeth. It helps the body to absorb and make use of calcium, and with the mineral magnesium, Vitamin D and Vitamin C, it serves in the formation of the hard surfaces of the bones and teeth.

It also has a role in the working of the body’s muscular system and thus, is important to the beating of the heart. It is specifically associated with the smooth and regular contraction of the body’s muscles, as well as with the health of the nerves and their ability to communicate. In addition to being an important facet in the nerves of the body, phosphorus also is essential to the correct formation of cell membranes and the proper creation of genetic material.

Phosphorus works with the vitamins that make up powerful group known as the Vitamin B complex in the transformation of nutrients to energy. In fact, thiamin, or Vitamin B1, cannot be used by the body without the presence of phosphorus, which means that this mineral also has a role in the health of the digestive system, as well as in that of the nervous system. It also serves in the regulation of kidney function and helps to keep the body’s PH levels where they should be. Iodine and zinc, which both play an important role in the maturation and function of the reproductive system need phosphorus in order to be properly utilized by the body.

Because of its role in the health and functioning of so many of the body’s most important systems, a deficiency in phosphorus can have a broad range of negative effects on the health of mind and body. Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency include retarded growth in children, poor formation of teeth and bones which can lead to bone pain and fragility, joint stiffness and pain, irregular breathing patterns, weight problems, weakness and numbness of limbs. Mental symptoms include anxiety, fearfulness, irritability and anorexia.

Dedicated attention to proper nutrition is one of the most important things you can do for the overall health and well being of your mind and body. The functioning of the body and the mind, including cognitive function and emotional stability, is based upon numerous chemical reactions and interaction in the body. These chemicals depend a great deal on the nutrients you consume, and the balance of these many chemicals and substances is very delicate. Optimum performance of body and mind depends on this balance being maintained.

Nutritional supplements can provide a safe and reliable means of ensuring that this delicate balance is maintained and that the body has the nutrients it needs to carryout the many complex chemical functions that result in the health and proper functioning of the body and the mind.

Manganese and Health.

Manganese is a metallic mineral that was discovered by a 17th century German chemist named Johann Glauber, though it was not isolated in a pure form until 1774, by Johan Gahn. It was Gahn’s associate, a Swedish chemist, Carl Scheele, who first determined that manganese was an element. Manganese, as a trace mineral element, is found in all forms of life. It is essential to the health and functioning of the human body and mind in many ways.

In terms of physical health, the mineral manganese is important to almost all of the body’s major systems. It works in the digestive system, which is responsible for breaking down foods through digestion and transforming them into a form that the body can use. Primary functions in the digestive system include acting as a cofactor in many of the enzymes responsible for releasing the energy in food, making it accessible to both body and mind to fuel the essential and nonessential functions. Thiamin, or Vitamin B1 cannot be metabolized without the presence of this essential mineral. The skeletal system requires manganese for the building of strong and healthy bones. Without it, the skeleton may not develop properly. Manganese also serves the nervous system and brain, which send messages to the muscles and thus, the mineral supports good muscular reflexes. It also serves the reproductive system, having an important role in the production of sex hormones and sperm.

Manganese has vital antioxidant properties, working as a cofactor in the production of the body’s most important antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Antioxidants perform a task that is essential to the body, the control of or stabilization of free radicals, which are responsible for a great deal of damage within the body. Free radicals are destabilized by their lack of an electron, and in seeking to stabilize themselves, they attack other molecules in an effort to take what they need from them, which results in those molecules becoming destabilized as well. If a cell accumulates enough free radicals, cellular damage can occur, which can lead to tissue damage as the free radicals roam, increasing their population.

Manganese is necessary for the brain to function properly. It serves to support memory and emotional stability, as well as the nerves themselves. Researchers are studying the relationship between epilepsy and other seizure disorders and the influence manganese levels may have on seizure activity and severity. This mineral is also being investigated for its potentials in the treatment of severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia.

Deficiencies in manganese can contribute to convulsions, confusion, tremors, dizziness, paralysis, deafness and blindness in infants, adult hearing loss, digestive disorders, ataxia, bone malformation, general weakness, infertility, irregular pulse, and pancreatic damage.

Nutritional supplements offer a reliable and safe means of seeing to it that the diet contains adequate amounts of this essential trace mineral, provided supplement dosage remains within the standard recommended daily intake levels. Too much of any nutrient can do physical harm to the body and thus, it is essential to be knowledgeable about the nutritional needs of your body and the supplement you are considering for use.

Magnesium and Health.

Magnesium is a mineral that serves many vital purposes in the body. There are more than 300 biochemical processes in the human body that require magnesium. From the heart to the bones, some of the body’s most fundamental systems and structures depend on this important mineral. Both day-to-day and long-term health and well being require sufficient intake of magnesium.

Magnesium is important to bone health and structure. Indeed, fully half of the magnesium in the body is found in the bones. One important contribution magnesium makes to the bones is to assist in the production of the hormone calcitonin, which increases the level of calcium in the bones. Magnesium also controls the acidity of the blood, which is beneficial to bones, as high acid levels can weaken bone structure.

Magnesium plays a role in controlling the neuromuscular activities of the heart and helps to keep the heartbeat regular. It also helps to keep blood pressure levels within the normal range. For these reasons, researchers have been investigating the ways that magnesium could affect heart disease treatment and prevention.

There is also interest in magnesium in relation to diabetes. That is because magnesium is necessary for insulin secretion and function, and plays a role in controlling blood sugar. It serves to assist in turning blood sugar into energy, as well.

Working in partnership with a variety of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, magnesium serves a wide range of purposes. It is essential to the health and functioning of the body’s neurological system and muscular system, serving – among other purposes – to enable the contraction of muscles and nerves.

It is important to maintain adequate levels of magnesium in the body, as serious help problems can result from deficiencies of this essential mineral. Adult males need about 350mg of magnesium per day, with adult women requiring 280mg daily, with an increase of up to 420mg per day while pregnant or breastfeeding. Children, depending on size and weight, need between 130mg to 240mg per day.

Deficiency in magnesium can cause a variety of symptoms of varying severity. These include significant calcium loss, heart spasms, irregular heartbeat, nervousness, confusion, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, muscle contractions and spasms, fatigue, and feelings of weakness, both in general and in the muscles.

Consuming the standard recommended daily intake levels of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients is essential to good health and the proper functioning of the body and its many systems. Unfortunately, most people do not achieve this through diet alone. Using nutritional supplements to make up the difference between what you should eat and what you really do eat is an effective and safe option, provided that you do so with the understanding that the standard recommended dosage should be used, unless advised otherwise by your personal health care provider. The body’s systems are based upon a delicate balance of chemicals, and too much can often be as harmful as too little. A licensed nutritionist can help you to make a supplement plan best suited to your individual dietary needs and health goals.

Iron And Health.

Iron is a mineral that is essential to the health and functioning of the body. Deficiencies in iron can have serious consequences for overall health and energy levels. While iron is, of course, important for both sexes, it is of particular importance to women, due to certain biological and reproductive factors. However, world wide, many people do not meet the minimum suggested daily intake of iron, resulting in a variety of health problems that range from the mild, which simply increasing the daily iron intake could remedy, to the severe, which often require more complex treatments, but could have been avoided by sufficient daily iron consumption.

Iron serves several purposes within the body. One of the most important functions of iron is its role is oxygenating the blood. Another essential action of iron is energy metabolism. It is a factor of the neurodevelopment of babies as they grow and develop in the uterus. Iron serves to promote the important functioning of the body’s immune system, particularly in the production of the white blood cells essential to fighting infection and disease. The body needs iron in order to make proper use of the B vitamins.

Women, because of their role in reproduction, need to be especially sure that their iron levels are sufficient during pregnancy, as the health growth and development of their babies depends on it. Because of blood loss during menstruation, most women need to take a little extra precaution during that time period to make sure their iron levels stay at recommended levels.

Iron deficiencies can cause a variety of health problems. Anemia is by far the most common, and results in weakness, fatigue and – to the detriment especially of school children – an inability to concentrate properly. Oxygen is one of the most important life giving forces of the body, and due to the essential role of iron in seeing to it that oxygen reaches all parts of the body, via the blood, general feelings of health and well-being rely on proper iron levels.

Dietary supplements that include iron as well as iron enriched foods play an important role world wide in achieving the recommended daily iron requirements. However, like any other dietary supplement or medicine, iron supplements must be used properly to be effective and to avoid inducing other serious health problems.

An overdose of iron in small children can be fatal. Always keep iron supplements and vitamins that contain iron well out of the reach of children. A reminder for parents who wisely make use of a daily multivitamin and iron supplement for their children – if you are using those brightly colored, cartoon character types, always be sure to stress to your children that those are powerful medicines, not candy. That way, if – and mistakes do happen once in a while – the bottle is accidentally left down and the child does find it, they are less likely to overdose themselves with it and more likely to call it to your attention that you left it in their reach.

Iron is an essential nutrient for some of the body’s most vital functions. For many years, dietary supplements have been a safe and trusted means of making sure to meet the recommended daily iron intake levels. When used properly, iron supplements are a good choice for helping to keep the body strong and healthy.

Iodine and Health.

Initially discovered as a new element in 1811 by Barnard Courtois, knowledge of this substance has come to include the host of benefits it brings to the body as an essential nutrient. For many years, getting enough iodine in the diet naturally was difficult in many geographic regions, and remains so for an unfortunately high percentage of the world’s population in the developing nations. With the introduction of iodized salt, meeting the daily iodine requirement became nearly effortless and inexpensive in the industrialized nations. In these nations iodine deficiency is now rare. As developing nations are able to make the shift to iodized salt, their rates of iodine deficiency and the diseases associated with it have also begun to decrease.

One of the main ways that iodine affects the body and health is through its interactions with the thyroid gland. Approximately 80% of the iodine found in the body is located in the thyroid. With the help of iodine, the thyroid is able to produce its hormones, thyroxine and triodothyronine. These hormones play a major part in regulating processes relating to growth and development of the body, and influence the maturation of the reproductive system.

Because of its influence on the thyroid’s activities, iodine plays a great role in the basic metabolism processes and levels in the body. It helps to see to it that the body efficiently burns calories, preventing excess calories from being stored as more fat than the body needs. It has a role in maintaining the energy level of the body and in helping the skin, teeth, nails and hair to he strong and healthy. Iodine also helps to destroy toxins throughout the body, and helps the body to use both calcium and silicone.

A deficiency in iodine can negatively affect the health and functioning of the body and mind in many ways, some of which are more serious than others. The symptoms of iodine deficiency that affect the mind range from feelings of frustration and anxiety to depression to mental retardation stemming from an IQ point decrease of up to 15 points to the severe mental retardation relating to such diseases as cretinism, which includes serious physical malformations. According to the World Health Organization, iodine deficiency is among the leading causes of mental retardation worldwide. Physical symptoms of iodine deficiency can include dry, scaly skin, fatigue, constipation, unusual weight gain, impaired thyroid operation, goiters, decreased fertility, increased rate of stillbirth, and growth abnormalities ranging in severity.

It is truly shameful that people suffer such horrific affects from a deficiency that could be resolved with mere pennies per person. Iodized salt is so inexpensive, and if could be spread throughout the poverty centers of the developing nations, the needless suffering of millions could be alleviated. Infants need to have 40 micrograms to 50 micrograms per day if iodine, children from 1 to 3 years of age need 70 micrograms daily, ages 4 to 6 require 90 micrograms per day, ages 7 to 10 need 120 micrograms daily, and children aver 11 should have 150 micrograms per day. Pregnant women need 175 micrograms of iodine daily and breastfeeding women should have 200 micrograms daily. A mere quarter of a teaspoon of iodized salt contains 95 micrograms of iodine.

Important Vitamin Partnerships.

Vitamins are an essential part of the function and health of the body. While many vitamins serve individual purposes, the more common way for vitamins to function is as cofactors to, or in partnership with, other vitamins, minerals, nutrients or other substances, such as enzymes. Some of the most important processes in the body are the result of Vitamins partnering with each other to achieve certain affects, processes or functions.

Two of the most essential and most powerful vitamin partnerships are the group of eight vitamins that make up the nutritional powerhouse that is collectively known as the Vitamin B complex and the group of three vitamins that are known as the antioxidant vitamins. In addition to these, there are variety of other combinations of vitamins that serve essential purposes within the body, preserving health and enhancing function.

The vitamins that make up the Vitamin B complex include Vitamin B1, also called thiamin, Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, Vitamin B3, also referred to as niacin, Vitamin B5, also called pantothenic acid, Vitamin B6, also known as pryidoxine, Vitamin B9, also referred to as folate or folic acid, Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, due to its cobalt content, and biotin, which is less commonly referred to as Vitamin H.

The degree to which the Vitamin B complex affects bodily function and health, as well as the function and health of the mind, in terms of cognitive processes and emotional balance and stability, is nothing short of amazing. The Vitamin B complex is at work in and essential to every major system of the body and is a part of almost every important function.

The group of vitamins that is known as the antioxidant group is made up of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin A, each powerful agents on their own, serving individual essential purposes in the body. When they combine their strengths, acting as antioxidants, they serve to rid the body of the cell and tissue damaging free radicals that have been associated with a variety of degenerative processes and diseases, including the effects of the basic aging process and the declining abilities of the mind. Some studies have suggested connections between free radicals and such infirmities as heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

Free radicals are destabilized molecules, created when a weakened molecule splits and leaves the free radical without one of the electrons it needs. Weakened molecules can result from the body’s natural metabolic processes, such as some of those that include oxygen, as well as from environmental contaminants, such as pollution. The free radical attacks other molecules in the effort to take the electron that it is missing. This damages the attacked molecule, making it a free radical too. When enough free radicals emerge in a cell, it can cause cellular damage, which, as more free radicals continue to be produces, can cause tissue damage. Antioxidants bring these free radicals under control by giving them the electron that they need, bringing to an end their aggressive behavior against other molecules.

Nutritional supplements can ensure that your body has enough of the nutrients it needs to support these important partnerships. Attention to nutrition is one of the most important things you can do for the overall health of mind and body.

Important Mineral Partnerships For Health.

Minerals are essential nutrients that serve the body in many ways. Many minerals are active in their own right, serving individual purposes within the body. However, the much more common way of working for minerals is partnership. They act as cofactor in many complex substances and processes. Many minerals complement each other, serving as cofactor to each other in the body’s most essential processes.

The skeletal system benefits from the partnership of various minerals, as do the teeth. Calcium and phosphorus, the two minerals that are present in the highest amounts in the body, are the key mineral players in the hard surfaces of bones and teeth, with the mineral magnesium serving to help the body metabolize the calcium and the phosphorus. The mineral manganese serves a purpose in this process as well and the mineral zinc is needed to metabolize phosphorus. This group of minerals also combine to protect the health of the nerves and to enhance the ability of the nerves to communicate, as well as ensures the ability of the muscles in the body to contract smoothly and regularly, contributing to, among other things, a regular heartbeat.

The mineral iron is responsible for the production of hemoglobin in the blood, which is what the red blood cells store the oxygen in as they travel the body, supplying the cells and tissues with the oxygen that is vital to their survival. But, without the mineral copper, the body would be unable to absorb and use the iron. A deficiency in copper results in an anemia that is similar to that caused by a deficiency of iron.

Minerals serve as cofactors in a variety of chemical combinations in the body that are essential processes of everything from food digestion to oxygenation of the body’s cells. The entire functioning of the body is built upon chemical and electrical reactions. These depend primarily upon the nutrition we consume, which serves as fuel and, once broken down to its basic elements, the chemicals needed to complete the various interactions. The balance of the complex system is delicate, but must be maintained to ensure health and peak performance.

The amount of mineral available in food and water can vary from region to region. That is because the amount of minerals found in plants depends on the quality of the soil, the type and amount of mineral deposits in the soil. Growing the same crops in the same place year after year can deplete the minerals in the soil. Topsoil erosion also can reduce the minerals available in soil.

Nutritional supplements can serve as an effective and safe means of ensuring that each day the body achieves the standard recommended daily intake levels of the minerals it need to perform the essential operations of the body. Because the balance of nutrients in the body is so important, it is a good idea to engage in a consultation with a licensed nutritionist who will be able to help you to devise a mineral supplement plan that is best suited to your individual dietary needs.

Copper and Your Health.

Copper is a trace element mineral that serves a wide variety of purposes within the body, both on its own and as a cofactor, meaning it is an essential part of chemical processes that involve other vitamins, minerals, other nutrients or other substances. Although the body requires a comparatively tiny amount of copper per day, even that little bit is essential to optimum health and performance.

Copper came to be recognized as in the 1870’s as a basic part of our blood. This mineral is called an elemental because it is a metal. In terms of concentration, it is the third greatest metal present in our bodies. Copper is present throughout the body, and serves many purposes that influence physical and mental health and function. In addition to the influence it has independently, it acts as a cofactor, or partner, in many enzymes and processes, affecting a wide variety of bodily functions and systems.

Copper works with Vitamin C in the production of collagen and elastin, which are connective tissues that, quite literally, hold the body together. In addition to this aspect of wound healing, copper also has a role in the first step to wound healing – blood clotting. It also partners with iron in the making of red blood cells, which serve the essential purpose of bringing oxygen throughout the body, as well as helps the body to absorb and use iron. It is helps to make bones, working with calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, Vitamin D and Vitamin C.

Melanin, the substance that gives skin and hair their color, requires copper for its production. Copper has a role in the production of hormones that come from the thyroid, and thus is important to the body’s rate of metabolism, which in turn affects body weight. Body weight affects the start of puberty and the onset of sexual maturity. Copper has a role in the nervous system, as well. It is necessary in the creation of the myelin sheath, which protects nerves and enhances their communication. The connective tissues and nerves in the brain require copper for both structure and function. Copper also serves as a cofactor in the production of the body’s important antioxidant enzymes, making a significant contribution to the control of damaging free radicals.

Copper has a role in each of the body’s major systems and processes. As a trace element, the body requires just a tiny bit of copper daily. Adults should have just 1.5mg to 3mg per day. It is important to note that too much copper can be toxic to the body’s system. The body’s systems are basic are regulated by chemical reactions, and the chemicals in the body are a delicately balanced group.

Nutritional supplements can offer a safe and reliable means of making sure that the body receives all the nutrients that it needs daily. However, when using supplements, it is important to be aware of the upper levels of tolerance, and to make sure that your dietary supplement dosages fall within that range, staying well below toxic points and maintaining the system’s healthful balance.

Be Sure To Get Your Calcium.

We’ve heard it from the days of childhood – calcium is good for the teeth and bones. While it is true that calcium is absolutely necessary to the health and strength of bones and teeth, this essential mineral also serves several other important purposes in the body. Yet, many people routinely fail to consume enough calcium in their daily diets.

In addition to the benefits to teeth and bones, calcium plays a role in helping the blood to clot when it needs to, helping the nerves and muscles to perform their tasks, and the maintenance of cell membranes. It is also important to the prevention of debilitating bone diseases, such as osteoporosis.

Despite the importance of consuming adequate amounts of calcium daily, some studies have found that as much as 75% of people in the United States do not have a sufficient daily intake of calcium. Those following strict vegetarian diets, especially vegan, must be particularly careful concerning calcium intake levels.

Fortunately, there are several varieties of calcium supplements on the market. Adults need between 1000 mgs and 1300 mgs of calcium per day, and should not supplement beyond 2500 mgs, as that can cause other health problems. Your health care professional can help you to choose the amount that you need daily, as preexisting conditions, such as bone loss or damage due to previous deficiencies, can make a difference in how much you should be taking daily.

Some types of calcium supplements are absorbed more easily by the body than others. However, some may be preferable for other reasons. The most common calcium supplements include calcium citrate, calcium carbonate, oyster shell or bone meal based calcium supplements, coral calcium, and calcium gluconate and calcium lactate based supplements.

In choosing your supplement, you should be aware of how to read the label to ensure that you are getting the amount of calcium that you think you are. Elemental calcium is the term used for the calcium that your body will be able to absorb. Some supplements have this and other types of calcium, but it is only the elemental calcium that can count towards your daily intake. Calcium is absorbed best in acidic circumstances, which is why many supplements are recommended for use after meals, when the stomach acids are at higher levels.

Current research has found that calcium citrate is the most efficient of the supplements, meaning that the body absorbs it easily. However, although it is absorbed easier and can be taken at any time of day, whether or not there is food in the stomach, this type often contains less of the elemental calcium, and thus more pills daily will be needed. Calcium carbonate is the most common over the counter calcium supplement and should be taken after meals, because of the increased stomach acid. These, however, should be watched for sodium content.

Calcium is essential for good health and supplements are an excellent way to ensure that you are not among the many people who regularly do not consume the amount of calcium needed daily. There are a variety of factors to be taken into account when choosing a calcium supplement. A little research and consultation with a nutritional specialist can help you to choose the best calcium supplement for your individual needs.

Your own attitude makes the difference!

In life there is a huge variety of things that you can’t control, no matter what! Nevertheless, you should never let those things, regardless of how bad they are, defeat you. Remember that, no matter how bad the situation gets, you’re the one who decides how to react to it and how much it can affect you.

It is essential to always meditate on the positive aspects of any occurrence. In other words, try identifying the good parts in everything. Even though it might sound extremely hard or very foolish at the beginning, seeking the good aspects in the worst situation of all will help you exercise your way of thinking and, in no time, you’ll find yourself meditating in an incredibly constructive and positive manner.

The question is how to find the power to analyze everything in a good light, when things can’t get worse than they already are. The answer is to detach yourself from the facts. Remember that most things in this life are temporary and you have to move on, no matter what. Also, if you train yourself to smile a lot and be polite to the people around you, you might discover that, in fact, this actually represents an efficient medicine against bad thoughts and a healthy attitude towards life can sometimes play a crucial role.

Nevertheless, remember to seek out the lesson you should learn after a disgraceful occurrence. Have a learning attitude towards whatever happened and try to convince yourself that all is for your own interest – after all everything bad that happens to you can only make you wiser, stronger and contributes to your self-improvement, if you know how to turn the situation in your favor.

When there is an extremely difficult problem to solve and no solution seems to fit in, remember to change the perspective from which you’re analyzing the data. Getting awfully scared and not being able to think clearly, will definitely not lead you to resolving the issue. On the other hand, if you meditate and try to observe the situation form another perspective, which is, if not better, at least less harmful, you might soon identify a way to solve the problem.

If your worries are related to your future, strive to impose to yourself that you can reach the goal, no matter what! You have to have a winner’s attitude in order to defeat the problems. This is why, you also have to remember that, in a certain way, the others share the same attitude that you have for yourself. Consequently, if you’re nervous, afraid you might fail, unconvinced with your actions, etc. people around you will perceive you exactly as you perceive yourself. Not in vain do they say that what others think about ourselves, is in fact, the reflection of our actions, which is actually the reflection of our attitudes.

The good thing about attitudes is that one can change or educate them and it has been proven that a good attitude toward everything around us is more efficient than any other drug. It’s free and it can only produce good results, so have an open attitude about it!

Yoga Therapy for Eating Disorders.

Over 10 million women and a million men are affected by different forms of eating disorders in the United States alone. Most of them are teens and the common illnesses are represented by anorexia and bulimia. The physical factors related to these illnesses have only been recently acknowledged as only mental factors were previously thought to be responsible for these conditions. Eating disorders are triggered by a complexity of facto