Vitamin D Benefits and Information
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that the body can make from a precursor in the skin. With the help of cholesterol, the body uses sunlight to convert this Vitamin D precursor into active Vitamin D. Because of the unique way that Vitamin D can be synthesized, people who spend adequate time in the sun do not need to obtain this nutrient from foods. There are two forms of Vitamin D, one made by plants (ergocalciferol or Vitamin D2) and...
Thiamin, Vitamin B1 Benefits and Side Effects!
Vitamin B1, also known as thiamin, was first isolated as a coenzyme that plays an important role in energy metabolism. Like the other B vitamins, vitamin B1 helps to support the nervous system in addition to its role in releasing energy from nutrients in food. Vitamin B1 is also thought to help regulate appetite. Vitamin B1 deficiency is seen among people who are malnourished as well as people who abuse alcohol. In addition, people on...
Reishi Mushrooms: Immune Boosting + Health Benefits
The reishi mushroom is well known in Chinese medicine as the “king of herbs.” Mushrooms are the fruit and reproductive body of fungi, which grow out of networks called mycelium. Thread-like networks of reishi mushrooms grow under the ground around logs and organic waste. Waste material is a rich source of nutrients for these mushrooms, which have a unique ability to reduce the volume of decayed matter in the environment by using it...
Wild Yam / Mexican Wild Yam Benefits and Side Effects
Wild yam extract is derived from the root of a plant that grows in vines in wooded areas of the eastern United States. A related plant, the Mexican yam, is also used as an herbal remedy, and another species of medicinal wild yam is native to China. It is believed by some that wild yam can stimulate the ovaries to produce a balance of progesterone and estrogen, making it a popular alternative to synthetic hormones for women who...
Turmeric For Your Health : A Potent Natural Anti-Inflammatory
Turmeric is a strong, bitter-tasting spice that is very popular in India as a seasoning for cooking. Turmeric is commonly used in curries and is ground from the dried root of Curcuma longa, a plant in the ginger family that is native to Southeast Asia. Turmeric has been used for thousands of years as a dye, a flavoring and a medicinal herb. In India, it has been used traditionally as a remedy for stomach and liver ailments, as well as...
An Introduction to Zinc and its Benefits
Zinc is an essential trace mineral found throughout the body, often in conjunction with protein. Zinc is transported in the blood via the protein albumin, so low albumin levels often mean poor absorption of zinc as well. Zinc is a cofactor used to activate dozens of enzymes in every organ in the body. Bones, the prostate gland in men, and the eyes have the highest concentrations of zinc, but about 60% of total zinc in the body is...
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