Vitamin & Mineral Info
Need some help understanding the basics. Hopefully this section of the website should do the job.
Acidophilus
The 'friendly' bacteria called acidophilus help to create a healthy environment within the gastrointestinal tract. Taking acidophilus may combat digestive disorders, control vaginal yeast infections and help the body ...
Amino AcidsAmino acids are the buildings blocks used to make proteins. There are about 80 amino acids in nature, but the human body needs only 20 of these for metabolism and ...
Calcium
Renowned for preventing - or at least minimising - the devastating effects of osteoporosis, calcium is now thought to lower high blood pressure and prevent colon cancer. Unfortunately, this ...
Carotenoids
The pigments that give some fruits and vegetables their rich red, orange and yellow colours are called carotenoids. These natural compounds are also potent disease fighters. If your diet ...
Chromium
The second best-selling mineral supplement after calcium, chromium has been hyped as a fat burner, a muscle builder, a treatment for diabetes and a weapon against heart disease. Though ...
Coenzyme Q10
Touted as a wonder supplement, coenzyme Q10 is said to enhance stamina, aid weight loss, combat cancer and AIDS, and even stave off ageing.
Copper
Essential in preventing cardiovascular disease, maintaining good skin and hair colour and promoting fertility, copper is the third most abundant trace mineral in the body. Even so, some experts ...
Dong QuaiFound in many herbal 'women's supplements', dong quai, or angelica, is a tonic traditionally used in Asia to boost the function of the female reproduction system. Its popularity is ...
Echinacea
Long used by Native Americans and consequently some early American settlers and doctors, echinacea fell out of favour with the advent of modern antibiotics. But it's fast regaining popularity ...
Essential Fatty Acids (Fish Oil)
Scientists noticed a curiously low incidence of heart disease among Greenland Eskimos, despite their high-fat diet. The reason? They were eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Later ...
Evening Primrose OilNative Americans have long valued the evening primrose plant for its healing powers. Today, research focuses on the therapeutic effect of the oil obtained from its seeds, which contain ...
Flaxseed
A rich source of healing oil, flaxseed has been cultivated for more than 7000 years. Among the oil's most important uses are the prevention and treatment of cancer, heart ...
Ginger
From ancient India and China to Greece and Rome, ginger was revered as both a medicinal and a culinary spice. Medieval Europeans traced this herb to the Garden of ...
Ginkgo Biloba
This popular herbal medicine, derived from one of the oldest species of tree on earth, is widely marketed as a memory booster. Ginkgo biloba does help with age-related memory ...
Ginseng
A hugely popular herb all around the world, ginseng is added to everything from fruit juices to vitamin supplements. Even though most of these in fact contain little ginseng, ...
Glucosamine
This promising arthritis fighter helps to build cartilage - which provides cushioning at the tips of the bones - and protects and strengthens the joints as it relieves pain and stiffness. Although your body produces some glucosamine, a supplement is more effective.
Grape Seed ExtractWith antioxidant properties many times more powerful than those of vitamin C or vitamin E, grape seed extract is a heart-smart and cancer-smart botanical. It also has the power ...
Green Tea
According to legend, around 2700 BC a Chinese emperor sat under a tea shrub and a few leaves fell into his cup of hot water. Presto! Green tea ...
Hawthorn
If your doctor confirms that you have any form of heart disease, you'll want to know all about hawthorn. This herb, historicallyused both as a diuretic and as a ...
IodineMany people associate iodine with the topical antiseptic their mother swabbed on their childhood scrapes and bruises. But the real value of this trace mineral lies in the role ...
IronA surprising number of Australians and New Zealanders get too little iron - and few realise that lack of this vital mineral can make them weak, unable to concentrate and ...
Lecithin & CholineThese closely related nutrients are essential to the functioning of every cell in your body. They're particularly important for the liver and nerves. No wonder so many nutritionists ...
Magnesium
Although little heralded, magnesium may be one of the most important minerals for good health. Studies suggest that, besides enhancing some 300 enzyme-related processes in the body, magnesium may ...
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)MSM, short for methylsulfonylmethane, is an organic form of sulfur readily absorbed and utilised by our bodies. MSM
is composed of 34% bio-available sulfur, making it the richest source
of organic sulfur available. MSM is a safe, natural, assimilable food,
which assists the body in maintaining adequate sulfur stores.
MSM may support the body in regulating insulin production, improving
skin smoothness and elasticity, regulating environmental and allergic
sensitivities, enhancing bowel function and liver detoxification, and
enhancing respiratory function.
Our bodies require the element
sulfur for many of its functions. Sulfur is a component of the proteins
necessary for the formation of skin, hair, nails and muscle. Sulfur is
also a component of bones, teeth and collagen (connective tissue).
Pau D'Arco
Rumoured to have been prescribed by the Incasto treat serious ailments, the herb pau d'arco has recently been investigated as a remedy for infectious diseases and cancer. Though its ...
PeppermintFor centuries this powerfully aromatic herb has provided relief for indigestion, colds and headaches. Today, medicinal peppermint is most prized for its ability to soothe the digestive tract, easing indigestion, ...
PhosphorusIf you compiled a list of nutrients the body could not live without, phosphorus could certanly be near the top. Although its main function is building strong bones and ...
Potassium
You're probably careful not to each too much sodium (salt), especially if you're watching your blood pressure. But you might want to focus your efforts on getting more potassium; ...
Probiotics
Our bodies contain billions of bacteria - and we need every single
one! So much emphasis is placed on looking after your body externally,
but what about your insides?
How can you make sure your digestive system has good the bacteria it needs?
Psyllium
These tiny seeds and their husks are so rich in fibre that they've been prescribed for constipation and a wide range of other digestive ailments for more than 500 years. ...
SeleniumAlthough researchers didn't discover the importance of this trace mineral until 1979, selenium quickly gained prominence as a potentially powerful cancer fighter. Many experts now believe it could prove to ...
St John's WortThe ancient Greeks and Romans believed that this herb could deter evil spirits. Today, St John's wort has found new and widespread popularity as a natural antidepressant - a ...
Vitamin AOne of the first vitamins to be discovered, this essential nutrient keeps your eyesight keen, your skin healthy and your immune system strong. It follows that an extra dose ...
Vitamin B1 - Thiamine
Known as B1, this B group Vitamin is so important that, because it is removed during the milling of most grains, the law in Australia requires that it be added ...
Vitamin B2 - RiboflavinResearch into Riboflavin, or B2 as it is also known, is showing that this member of the B complex has potential in combating many conditions, including migraines, cateracts and healing ...
Vitamin B3 - NiacinNiacin is Vitamin B3, one of the water soluble B-complex vitamins. One of Niacin's unique properties is its ability to help you naturally relax and get to sleep more rapidly ...
Vitamin B6 - PyridoxineVitamin B6, or pyridoxine as it is also known, performs a wide variety of functions in your body and is essential for your good health. For example, Vitamin B6 is ...
Vitamin B9 - Folic Acid
Getting enough of this B-Vitamin could prevent many thousands of deaths a year from cardiovascular disease. It could also virtually halve the number of babies born with birth defects. Yet ...
Vitamin B12Although this vitamin is plentiful in most people's diets, after the age of 50 some people are less able to absorb it from food. Supplements are usually recommended, because ...
Vitamin C
This vitamin is probably better known and more widely used than any other nutritional supplement. But even if you think you're familiar with vitamin C, read on. You may be surprised to discover exactly how versatile and health-enhancing this nutrient truly is.
Vitamin D
Called the sunshine vitamin (because your body can make some Vitamin D with enough sunlight), vitamin D is essential for bone health and may slow the progression of arthritis. ...
Vitamin E
A superstar nutrient with antioxidant capability, vitamin E offers a multitude of preventive benefits, including protection against heart disease, cancer and a broad range of other disorders. Working at ...
Vitamin KDoctors have long used vitamin K, which promotes blood clotting, to help heal incisions in surgical patients and to prevent bleeding problems in newborns. This vitamin also helps to ...
Wild YamMisconceptions about the active ingredients in wild yam have led to much marketing hype. The herb has been hailed as a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy for menopause. ...
Zinc
It may be last in the alphabetical list but Zinc is a crucial nutrient for health.
In fact it has a role in all human living cells.
Zinc is involved in many biochemical reactions. It is required for the building of all new tissues, for normal immune responses, nerve function, reproduction and as part of the army of protective antioxidants.