Vitamin K
Introduction In 1935 a scientist in Copenhagen observed that newly hatched chickens receiving a diet containing all of the known essential nutrients were developing a bleeding disorder. He soon discovered that the chicks were deficient in a nutrient that is crucial for normal blood clotting. He called this nutrient vitamin K. Today, vitamin K deficiency […]
Biotin
Introduction Biotin is one of the more recently discovered water-soluble B vitamins. Since 1942, it has been studied for its role in the production of many enzymes. Biotin is also known as the vitamin that produces healthy hair and helps prevent graying. Biotin is found abundantly in many plant and animal foods. Bacteria in the […]
Folic Acid
Introduction Folic acid is a member of the water-soluble B vitamin group. Isolated in 1946 from spinach leaves, its name comes from folium, the Latin word for leaf. In the body, folic acid is converted to a more biologically active form. Folic acid occurs in a wide variety of foods. Best sources include dark green […]
Inositol
Introduction Inositol is a compound that has been known about for a long time, but it wasn’t until 1940 that scientists first realized that it was an essential nutrient. In fact, this sugar-like substance is one of the water-soluble B vitamins. In humans, it’s found in the liver, kidney, skeletal system and heart muscle. It […]
Vitamin A
Introduction This vital nutrient wasn’t even known about until 1913, when scientists discovered it could prevent night blindness. Then, in 1932 it was discovered that beta-carotene, also known as pro-vitamin A, was the precursor to vitamin A. When we consume beta-carotene, vitamin A is produced naturally by enzymes in the digestive tract that break beta-carotene […]
Phosphorus
Introduction Phosphorus participates in more biological processes than any other mineral in the body. Following calcium, it is the second most abundant mineral in the human body. Approximately 80 percent of phosphorus is present in the skeleton while the other 20 percent plays a role in the metabolism of every cell in the body. Animal […]
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
Introduction DHA is a member of the omega-3 group of fatty acids. DHA is also one of the most abundant fatty acids in the brain. In the fetus and young infants, DHA is essential for proper growth and development of the brain, (1) , (2) nervous system, and the retina of the eye. Because DHA […]
Dimethylglycine (DMG)
Introduction Dimethylglycine (DMG) is a substance that is found in the cells of all plants and animals. In the human body, it participates in the formation of important amino acids, vitamins, and neurotransmitters. While DMG can be found in the outer coating of rice and in all seed products, it is produced naturally in the […]
Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA)
Introduction GLA is derived from linoleic acid, also known as omega-6 fatty acid, which is present in many common vegetable oils like safflower and sunflower. GLA is the precursor for many important prostaglandins, which are hormone-like substances that may affect blood thickness, skin and joint health, cholesterol levels, dilation and constriction of blood vessels, inflammation, […]
Vitamin C
Introduction Vitamin C corrects the world’s oldest known nutritional deficiency, the disease scurvy. It was first isolated by Albert Szent Gyorgyi in 1928. Today, scientists know that humans are one of the few species that cannot manufacture vitamin C in the body. Humans must depend on diet or nutritional supplements as the source of this […]