Essential Functions of Nutrients
December 2, 2021
VITAMINS
Vitamin A: Helps formation and maintenance of health teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucous membranes, and skin. Promotes good vision and is required for reproduction and lactation. Beta-carotene is a vitamin A precursor with protective antioxidant properties. Other carotens also provide antioxidant protection.
Vitamin C: Promotes healthy teeth and gums, helps absorption of iron, and maintenance of normal connective tissue. Also supports wound healing, immune defenses, and adrenal function
Vitamin D3: Promotes absorption of calcium, which is essential for normal development of healthy teeth and bones. Helps maintain adequate blood levels of calcium and phosphorus.
Vitamin E (tocopherol): A key cell-protective antioxidant. Also helps in formation of red blood cells and use of vitamin K. Prevents lipid peroxidation.
Vitamin K: Needed for blood coagulation and maintaining strong bones
Thiamine (B1): Helps convert carbohydrates into energy. Essential for heart function, healthy nerve cells, and the brain.
Riboflavin B2): Works with other B vitamins to release energy from carbohydrates, and is important for growth, red blood cell production, healthy skin, hair, and nails.
Niacin: Release caloric energy from food. Supports mental function, hormone formation, and cholesterol metabolism.
Niacinamide: A non-flushing form of niacin that is especially helpful for glucose metabolism.
Vitamin B12: Aids formation of red blood cells and maintenance of the brain and central nervous system. Promotes normal homocysteine metabolism
Vitamin B6: Required for protein and amino acid metabolism. Helps formation of red blood cells and maintainance of normal brain function. Assists in synthesis of antibodies for immune system. Helps maintain fluid balance.
Pantothenic Acid: Essential for metabolism of food and synthesis of adrenal hormones and cholesterol. Helps promote wound healing and healthy skin.
Biotin: Essential for metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates, synthesis of hormones and cholesterol, and healthy skin and hair.
Folate: Works with vitamin B 12 in production of red blood cells. Needed for DNA synthesis, which controls heredity as well as tissue growth and repair and cell function. Promotes normal homocysteine metabolism.
MINERALS AND TRACE ELEMENTS
Calcium: Needed for bone and teeth formation, muscle contraction, and heart and nervous system function.
Iron: Transports oxygen to tissues and supports energy metabolism
Iodine: Maintains thyroid function and assists in energy production
Magnesium: Supports energy production. Crucial for heart, muscle, and nervous system function.
Zinc: A key mineral for immune function, tissue repair, and antioxidant defenses.
Selenium: Provides antioxidant protection for the heart and immune system
Copper: Needed for iron utilization, collagen formation, and antioxidant action
Manganese: Assists glucose metabolism, energy production, and cartilage formation
Chromium: Supports blood sugar balance, cholesterol metabolism, and energy production
Molybdenum: Used for nucleic acid and sulfur metabolism
Potassium: Helps maintain body water balance. Needed for nerve function and muscle contraction.
Boron: Assists calcium and bone metabolism
OTHER NUTIRENTS
Citrus Bioflavonoids: Words with vitamin C to support connective tissue and capillary health
Choline: Transports fat through liver and blood. Assists nerve transmission and brain function.
Inositol: Supports cell membrane structure, nervous system function, and fat metabolism
Para-Aminobenzoic Acid: Assists production of interferon and blood platelet function.