Selenium
Introduction Until the late 1950s, selenium was thought to be toxic. Although it can indeed be toxic at high doses, it is now recognized as an important nutritional trace mineral. Selenium plays important roles in detoxification and antioxidant defense mechanisms in the body. Dosage Info Dosage Range Doses used safely in clinical trials range from […]
Silicon
Introduction Even though silicon is the most abundant mineral on earth, scientists didn’t discover it was essential for the body until very recently. The largest concentrations of silicon are found in the skin and cartilage, but it also occurs in other tissues and organs. The best food sources of silicon are rice, bran and brown […]
Sodium
Introduction Sodium is one of the body’s three major electrolytes (the other two being potassium and chloride). Electrolytes are involved in intracellular osmosis, which means that they control the flow of body fluids into and out of tissues and cells. Most Americans consume too much sodium, from 10 to 35 times more than the recommended […]
Coenzyme Q10 (CO-Q10)
Introduction Coenzyme Q10 is an important, vitamin-like compound that is present throughout the body. While there are 10 other coenzyme Q compounds present in nature, coenzyme Q10 is the only one present in humans. Although coenzyme Q10 is widely used throughout Europe and Asia, its value is just beginning to be recognized in the United […]
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
Introduction DHEA has been heavily publicized for its potential use as an anti-aging agent. It is a hormone that functions as a precursor for the production of more than 50 other hormones in the body. It is estimated that from 30 to 50 percent of testosterone in men and about 75 percent of estrogen in […]
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)
Introduction Often referred to as the brain’s natural calming agent, GABA is an amino acid found in high concentrations throughout the central nervous system. It is involved in a complex relationship in the brain that inhibits neurotransmitter activity, thus suppressing certain kinds of brain activity. GABA is not found in significant amounts in foods. It […]
Glucosamine
Introduction Glucosamine is a precursor for substances that provide the foundation for many of the body’s tissues including tendons, ligaments, cartilage, collagen, and more. What’s more, glucosamine supports the health of tissues that make up many of the body’s organs. Glucosamine does not occur in foods. Supplemental sources of glucosamine are derived from the processed […]
Glutathione
Introduction Glutathione is a key component of two antioxidants present in the body. It also plays an important role in the removal of toxins. Physicians recommend the use of a glutathione formulation that is labeled “GSH” on supplement packaging as GSH glutathione is the only active form of the supplement. Foods containing glutathione include avocado, […]
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Introduction Lactobacillus acidophilus is a beneficial bacteria that primarily resides in the small intestine. Researchers think that maintaining a healthy “colony” of acidophilus is crucial for maintaining overall health. Small amounts of L. acidophilus occur in cultured food products such as yogurt and acidophilus milk. However, in order to be effective, many doctors suggest that […]
L-Carnitine
Introduction L-carnitine is an amino acid that is made in the human body. For this reason, L-carnitine is usually not considered to be an essential nutrient. However, premature infants and some adults cannot make L-carnitine in sufficient amounts, which necessitates supplementation. L-carnitine is only found in animal food sources such as meat, poultry, and dairy […]