Some vitamins are toxic when taken in the very large amounts known as megadoses. It’s nearly impossible for your diet to provide an overdose of vitamins D, E, K, C, and all the Bs. [more…]
Magnesium may be the most commonly deficient mineral in human nutrition, even though dietary sources of this nutrient abound. Because it is the calming or anti-stress mineral, it’s very important to many [more…]
Minerals are an essential part of a healthy diet. These inorganic nutrients occur naturally in nonliving things, such as rocks and metal ores. You get essential minerals by including plants in your diet [more…]
Nutritional Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) are broad enough to prevent vitamin deficiencies and avoid the side effects associated with large doses of some vitamins. If your diet doesn’t meet these [more…]
Minerals are essential in human nutrition because they aid in a variety of the body’s functions. Your body does not manufacture any minerals, so you must get these nutrients from your diet and from nutritional [more…]
Calcium is a critical mineral nutrient. You must include calcium in your diet because your body can’t manufacture it. Calcium is essential for the formation and maintenance of bones and teeth. [more…]
Phenylalanine — an essential amino acid— is readily available in most food sources, particularly high in meats and milk products, with lower levels found in oats and wheat germ. To make use of phenylalanine [more…]
The Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) and Adequate Intakes (AIs) for minerals and trace elements are generous allowances. They recommend enough of these nutrients in your diet to prevent deficiency [more…]
It’s easy to get B vitamins in your diet. These water-soluble nutrients include thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), folate, B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, and [more…]
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that promotes absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Most people associate the nutrient calcium with healthy bones and teeth, but no matter how much calcium you have in [more…]
Eating for two means that you’re the sole source of nutrients for your growing fetus. If you don’t get the vitamins you need in your diet, neither will your baby. The Recommended Daily Allowances [more…]
Vitamins in your diet regulate you bodily functions. They prevent nutritional deficiency diseases, promote healing, and encourage good health. Vitamins are essential for building body tissues ,such as [more…]
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. You need a miniscule amount in your diet. About 300 mcg (from the diet and additional supplements) is the optimum daily intake of vitamin K. Supplements are used for [more…]
Taurine is one of the most important, useful, and safest amino acid supplements. Your body can produce this nutrient from cysteine with the help of vitamin B-6. Dietary sources of taurine are fish and [more…]
One of the essential sulfur-containing amino acids, the nutrient methionine is important for many bodily functions, including immune cell production and proper nerve function. Dietray methionine is a potent [more…]
The nutrient tryptophan is an essential amino acid well known for its ability to affect the levels of the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Tryptophan is important in helping your body create vitamin B-3 and [more…]
Food delivers higher quality vitamins and nutrients than supplements do. The following table gives you the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for adult men and women [more…]
Potassium is an essential nutrient contained mainly within cells. You need at least 2 grams (or 2,000 mg) of potassium a day, which is fairly easy to obtain from your diet. Potassium helps to balance and [more…]
Phosphorus is an essential macromineral, meaning to be healthy you must include this nutrient in your diet. Dietary sources include almost all foods. Phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral nutrient [more…]
Vitamin A is essential in a healthy diet. This crucial fat-soluble vitamin was the first vitamin to be officially named, so it became vitamin A. Your body needs a steady supply of A to maintain healthy [more…]
If your diet provides enough mineral nutrients to meet the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs), you’re in pretty good shape. A restrictive diet, the circumstances of your reproductive life, and just [more…]
Lysine is an essential amino acid. Lysine occurs abundantly in fish and poultry, dairy, wheat germ, and other legumes, and in smaller amounts in grains and peanuts. You may need extra lysine if you eat [more…]
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is an important nutrient found in many fresh fruits and vegetables. It is essential to a healthy diet. Vitamin C breaks down readily when foods are heated or when they sit [more…]
Even though the FDA can’t require manufacturers of dietary and nutritional supplements to submit safety and effectiveness data, a respected name on the label offers some assurance of a quality product. [more…]
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin essential to a healthy diet. This important antioxidant nutrient protects cells and tissues from damage by free radicals generated by chemicals and oxidized fats. [more…]