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Soy Protein Isolate is aspartame free, cholesterol free, ranks #1 in protein digestibility, naturally contains Lecithin, contains all of the essential amino acids our bodies require for optimal function, and contains the most bioactive component of soy protein...Isoflavones. Isoflavones are currently being intensely researched as to the possible positive effects on heart disease, menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, and breast and prostate cancers.

Although soyfoods are widely recognized for their nutritional qualities, interest in soyfoods has risen recently because scientists have discovered that a soy component called isoflavones appears to reduce the risk of cancer. More research needs to be done to determine exactly how isoflavones work, but it appears that as little as one serving of soyfoods a day may be enough to obtain the benefits of this anticancer phytochemical.





Soy protein exerts several anti-atherogenic effects. First, it decreases LDL-cholesterol levels significantly .Second, it tends to increase HDL-cholesterol levels ; this is rather unique since most dietary interventions such as oat bran intake or decreased saturated fat intake significantly decrease HDL-cholesterol levels. Third, soy isoflavones, plant chemicals unique to soybeans, have antioxidant properties which protect LDL from oxidation . Fourth, soy isoflavones have favorable effects on blood vessel function.

(source:Indiana Soybean Board)



Although soyfoods are widely recognized for their nutritional qualities, interest in soyfoods has risen recently because scientists have discovered that a soy component called isoflavones appears to reduce the risk of cancer. More research needs to be done to determine exactly how isoflavones work, but it appears that as little as one serving of soyfoods a day may be enough to obtain the benefits of this anticancer phytochemical.



Traditional soy products such as tofu, tempeh, and soy milk are very high in protein. Tempeh has the highest percentage of protein of the traditional soy products providing approximately 22 grams of protein for each 4 ounce (113 gram) serving. Tofu provides approximately 9 grams of protein for a similar small serving size. The Recommended Dietary Allowance of protein for adult males (aged 25-50) is appoximately 63 grams and 50 grams for adult females (aged 25-50). Soy products can provide a significant portion of one's daily protein needs.



It is important to keep in mind, however, that the balance of amino acids (protein building blocks) in soy is not the same as meat. Because soy foods does not have an ideal balance of amino acids, some experts recommend taking in a little extra soy foods and/or combining soy products or legumes with a whole grain dish at meals where other protein (e.g., eggs, fish) is not eaten. The amino acids in whole grains combine well with amino acids in soy and legumes to make a more ideal balance of amino acids. If a person's diet is reasonably-balanced, however, there is usually no need to be concerned about getting enough protein.

Source:http://www.soyinfo.com/



Vegetarians and health enthusiasts have known for years that foods rich in soy protein offer a good alternative to meat, poultry, and other animal-based products. As consumers have pursued healthier lifestyles in recent years, consumption of soy foods has risen steadily, bolstered by scientific studies showing health benefits from these products. Last October, the Food and Drug Administration gave food manufacturers permission to put labels on products high in soy protein indicating that these foods may help lower heart disease risk.



As with health claims for oat bran and other foods before it, this health claim provides consumers with solid scientific information about the benefits of soy protein and helps them make informed choices to create a "heart healthy" diet. Health claims encourage food manufacturers to make more healthful products. With soy, food manufacturers have responded with a cornucopia of soy-based wares.



No sooner had FDA proposed the health claim regulation, however, than concerns arose about certain components in soy products, particularly isoflavones. Resulting questions have engulfed the regulation in controversy.



This came as no surprise to Elizabeth A. Yetley, Ph.D., lead scientist for nutrition at FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition . "Every dietary health claim that has ever been published has had controversy," she says, "even the relationship of saturated fat to a healthy diet."



While the controversy may seem confusing to the consumer giving it casual consideration, a careful review of the science behind the rule reveals a strict divide between what FDA allows as a health claim based on solid scientific research and related issues that go well beyond the approved statements about health benefits of soy protein.

Source:http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2000/300_soy.html

Hydrolyzed Collagen (Type 1 and Type III) is an incredible multi function product for tendons, ligaments, skin, hair, nails, bones, teeth, energy and fat loss! Collagen is the primary connective tissue protein in your body. The word Collagen is derived from kolla the Greek word for glue. As we age, every year we lose 1% of our collagen content, collagen we need to keep us looking young as well as keeping us healthy and strong. Collagen is the most abundant protein found in our body. Additionally, more then 90% of the collagen found in our body consist of Collagen Type I and III,

Whey protein is a mixture of globular proteins isolated from whey, the liquid material created as a by-product of cheese production. Some preclinical studies in rodents have suggested that whey protein may influence glutathione production and possess anti-inflammatory or anti-cancer properties; however, human data are lacking. The effects of whey protein on human health are of great interest and this protein mixture is being investigated as a way of reducing disease risk, or as a supplementary treatment for several diseases. Whey protein is commonly marketed and ingested as a dietary supplement, and various health claims have been attributed to it in the alternative medicine community. Although whey proteins are responsible for some milk allergies, the major allergens in milk are the caseins.

Sodium Caseinate

Sodium Caseinate is a modified protein extracted from milk. It has no odor or taste and is used as a thickening and whitening agent in dairy products. The protein component utilizes emulsification, water absorption, gelling, and stabilization properties. It is used in dairy non-creamers to act as a creamy, white dairy substitute without the lactose that people who are lactose-intolerant cannot digest. Because of its large difference between the “milk derivative” that is sodium caseinate and real cream or milk, it is considered non-dairy. There is controversy whether sodium caseinate still has all the nutritional benefits that milk has because it is non-dairy. It is also a source of free glutamic acid. See monosodium glutamate (MSG).

"CASEIN, AMMONIUM CASEINATE, CALCIUM CASEINATE, POTASSIUM CASEINATE, SODIUM CASEINATE - FOOD RESOURCE - OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY." Food Science, Cultural Foods, Glossary, Training, Education Food Resource [http://food.oregonstate.edu/], Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. Web. 16 May 2011. .

"Food Additives ~ CSPI’s Food Safety." Center for Science in the Public Interest. Web. 16 May 2011. .

"Products Page." Casein & Caseinates/Prestige Proteins -- Your One Stop Global Source for Casein & Caseinates. Web. 16 May 2011. .

"Vegetarians in Paradise/ Non-dairy Creamers/ Non Dairy Coffee Creamers/Sodium Caseinate." Vegetarians in Paradise Vegetarian/Vegan Los Angeles Internet Magazine. 1 Jan. 2003. Web. 16 May 2011. .

Proteins (also known as polypeptides) are organic compounds made of amino acids arranged in a linear chain. The amino acids in a polymer chain are joined together by the peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of adjacent amino acid residues. The sequence of amino acids in a protein is defined by the sequence of a gene, which is encoded in the genetic code.[1] In general, the genetic code specifies 20 standard amino acids, however in certain organisms the genetic code can include selenocysteine — and in certain archaea — pyrrolysine. Shortly after or even during synthesis, the residues in a protein are often chemically modified by post-translational modification, which alter the physical and chemical properties, folding, stability, activity, and ultimately, the function of the proteins. Proteins can also work together to achieve a particular function, and they often associate to form stable complexes.[2]



Like other biological macromolecules such as polysaccharides and nucleic acids, proteins are essential parts of organisms and participate in virtually every process within cells. Many proteins are enzymes that catalyze biochemical reactions and are vital to metabolism. Proteins also have structural or mechanical functions, such as actin and myosin in muscle and the proteins in the cytoskeleton, which form a system of scaffolding that maintains cell shape. Other proteins are important in cell signaling, immune responses, cell adhesion, and the cell cycle. Proteins are also necessary in animals' diets, since animals cannot synthesize all the amino acids they need and must obtain essential amino acids from food. Through the process of digestion, animals break down ingested protein into free amino acids that are then used in metabolism.



Proteins were first described and named by the Swedish chemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius in 1838. However, the central role of proteins in living organisms was not fully appreciated until 1926, when James B. Sumner showed that the enzyme urease was a protein.[3] The first protein to be sequenced was insulin, by Frederick Sanger, who won the Nobel Prize for this achievement in 1958. The first protein structures to be solved were hemoglobin and myoglobin, by Max Perutz and Sir John Cowdery Kendrew, respectively, in 1958.[4][5] The three-dimensional structures of both proteins were first determined by x-ray diffraction analysis; Perutz and Kendrew shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for these discoveries. Proteins may be purified from other cellular components using a variety of techniques such as ultracentrifugation, precipitation, electrophoresis, and chromatography; the advent of genetic engineering has made possible a number of methods to facilitate purification. Methods commonly used to study protein structure and function include immunohistochemistry, site-directed mutagenesis, and mass spectrometry.

In nature, glycerin forms the backbone of fat and oil molecules. The body uses it as a source of energy or as a starting material in making more-complex molecules..



In its common liquid form, glycerol is nonpoisonous, colorless, odorless and sweet tasting and has a high viscosity. Glycerine is an important component of fat and vegoil molecules and phospholipids

Serves as humectant, solvent and sweetener, may help preserve foods.

Solvent for flavors (such as vanilla) and food coloring.

Humectant and softening agent in candy, cakes and casings for meats and cheeses.

Manufacture of mono- and di-glycerides for use as emulsifiers.

Used in manufacture of polyglycerol esters going into shortenings and margarine.

Used as filler in low-fat food products (i.e., cookies).

FDA declared that polydextrose can be called fiber. Poly-what? Polydextrose is made from glucose, sorbitol (a sugar alcohol), and citric acid. It's what puts the fiber in Fruity Pebbles (not actual pebbles). Polydextrose received FDA approval because it mimics some attributes of dietary fiber: it isn't absorbed in the small intestine, and it increases stool weight. Polydextrose mainly bulks up foods so they're not as high in calories. However, there's no research to prove that polydextrose is as beneficial as the fiber found in whole foods.



See our Blog: http://blog.foodfacts.com/index.php/2009/11/23/food-companies-are-jumping-on-the-fiber-bandwagon/#more-1196

FDA declared that polydextrose can be called fiber. Poly-what? Polydextrose is made from glucose, sorbitol (a sugar alcohol), and citric acid. It's what puts the fiber in Fruity Pebbles (not actual pebbles). Polydextrose received FDA approval because it mimics some attributes of dietary fiber: it isn't absorbed in the small intestine, and it increases stool weight. Polydextrose mainly bulks up foods so they're not as high in calories. However, there's no research to prove that polydextrose is as beneficial as the fiber found in whole foods.



See our Blog: http://blog.foodfacts.com/index.php/2009/11/23/food-companies-are-jumping-on-the-fiber-bandwagon/#more-1196

Inulin is a natural dietary fiber present in common fruits and vegetables like artichokes, asparagus, onions, garlic, raisins and bananas. It's a prebiotic-which means scientifically proven to increase the activity of live active cultures (beneficial bacteria) and help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the digestive tract. Inulin has also been proven to be a good source of soluble dietary fiber and is well suited for diabetics because it does not increase the glucose level or insulin level in the blood. And, recent research has shown that inulin significantly increases the absorption of calcium.

Butter is a dairy product made by churning fresh or fermented cream or milk. Butter is used as a spread and a condiment, as well as in cooking applications such as baking, sauce making, and frying. As a result, butter is consumed daily in many parts of the world. Butter consists of butterfat surrounding minuscule droplets consisting mostly of water and milk proteins. The most common form of butter is made from cows' milk, but can also be made from the milk of other mammals, including sheep, goats, buffalo, and yaks. Salt, flavorings, or preservatives are sometimes added to butter. Rendering butter produces clarified butter or ghee, which is almost entirely butterfat.Butter is the most complex food with 150 chemical comounds of fats, protien, sugars,etc.



When refrigerated, butter remains a solid, but softens to a spreadable consistency at room temperature, and melts to a thin liquid consistency at 32–35 °C (90–95 °F). Butter generally has a pale yellow color, but varies from deep yellow to nearly white. The color of the butter depends on the animal's feed and is sometimes manipulated with food colorings, most commonly annatto or carotene.



The term "butter" is used in the names of products made from puréed nuts or peanuts, such as peanut butter. It is also used in the names of fruit products, such as apple butter. Other fats solid at room temperature are also known as "butters"; examples include cocoa butter and shea butter. In general use, the term "butter", unqualified, almost always refers to the dairy product. The word butter, in the English language, derives (via Germanic languages) from the Latin butyrum, borrowed from the Greek boutyron. This may have been a construction meaning "cow-cheese" (bous "ox, cow" + tyros "cheese"), or the word may have been borrowed from another language, possibly Scythian.[1] The root word persists in the name butyric acid, a compound found in rancid butter and dairy products.



Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butter

Simply put, this is dehydrated skimmed milk



Skimmed milk is milk from which the cream has been removed



Skim milk contains more calcium than whole milk.

Most of the calcium in milk is not contained in the fat that is removed when 'skimming' the milk. But rather in the water content of the milk. Removing the part of the milk with a lower percentage of calcium, increases the relative percentage of calcium in the remaining milk.

Soy lecithin is a mixture of fatty substances that are derived from the processing of soybeans. Lecithin is separated from soybean oil by the addition of water and centrifugation (rapid spinning) and purified for use as a food additive. Its chemical name is phosphatidylcholine, which identifies its major components of choline, phosphoric acid, glycerin, and fatty acids. Lecithin is used widely in foods as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and antioxidant.



Studies show most soy-allergic individual can safely eat products containing soy lecithin without experiencing any allergic reactions.



Although soyfoods are widely recognized for their nutritional qualities, interest in soyfoods has risen recently because scientists have discovered that a soy component called isoflavones appears to reduce the risk of cancer. More research needs to be done to determine exactly how isoflavones work, but it appears that as little as one serving of soyfoods a day may be enough to obtain the benefits of this anticancer phytochemical.



Traditional soy products such as tofu, tempeh, and soy milk are very high in protein. Tempeh has the highest percentage of protein of the traditional soy products providing approximately 22 grams of protein for each 4 ounce (113 gram) serving. Tofu provides approximately 9 grams of protein for a similar small serving size. The Recommended Dietary Allowance of protein for adult males (aged 25-50) is appoximately 63 grams and 50 grams for adult females (aged 25-50). Soy products can provide a significant portion of one's daily protein needs.



It is important to keep in mind, however, that the balance of amino acids (protein building blocks) in soy is not the same as meat. Because soy foods does not have an ideal balance of amino acids, some experts recommend taking in a little extra soy foods and/or combining soy products or legumes with a whole grain dish at meals where other protein (e.g., eggs, fish) is not eaten. The amino acids in whole grains combine well with amino acids in soy and legumes to make a more ideal balance of amino acids. If a person's diet is reasonably-balanced, however, there is usually no need to be concerned about getting enough protein.

Source:http://www.soyinfo.com/



Vegetarians and health enthusiasts have known for years that foods rich in soy protein offer a good alternative to meat, poultry, and other animal-based products. As consumers have pursued healthier lifestyles in recent years, consumption of soy foods has risen steadily, bolstered by scientific studies showing health benefits from these products. Last October, the Food and Drug Administration gave food manufacturers permission to put labels on products high in soy protein indicating that these foods may help lower heart disease risk.



As with health claims for oat bran and other foods before it, this health claim provides consumers with solid scientific information about the benefits of soy protein and helps them make informed choices to create a "heart healthy" diet. Health claims encourage food manufacturers to make more healthful products. With soy, food manufacturers have responded with a cornucopia of soy-based wares. (See "The Soy Health Claim.")



No sooner had FDA proposed the health claim regulation, however, than concerns arose about certain components in soy products, particularly isoflavones. Resulting questions have engulfed the regulation in controversy.



This came as no surprise to Elizabeth A. Yetley, Ph.D., lead scientist for nutrition at FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition . "Every dietary health claim that has ever been published has had controversy," she says, "even the relationship of saturated fat to a healthy diet."



While the controversy may seem confusing to the consumer giving it casual consideration, a careful review of the science behind the rule reveals a strict divide between what FDA allows as a health claim based on solid scientific research and related issues that go well beyond the approved statements about health benefits of soy protein.

Source:http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2000/300_soy.html

Salt is one of the most ubiquitous food ingredients around. Those who think of salt only as something used to perk up flavor might wonder what could possibly give this ingredient the level of importance it has gained through the ages. In reality, there is much more to this crystalline cube than first meets the eye.



Besides enhancing taste, salt has several other functions in food products. It acts as an antimicrobial or microbiological control agent. It contributes to certain chemical reactions that create a wide variety of food characteristics.



Sometimes the terms "salt" and "sodium" are used interchangeably, but technically this is not correct. "Salt" is sodium chloride. By weight, it is 40 percent sodium and 60 percent chloride.

Most foods and tap water contain sodium and chloride. Sodium is an essential nutrient, a mineral that the body cannot manufacture itself.

Because of sodium's importance to your body, the excretory and nervous systems guard against under-consumption of salt, which is a threat to your body's nerves and muscles. Other ions such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium are also very important. Concentrations of these ions are held in narrow ranges by the kidney.



The association between eating salt and the risk of blood pressure increasing is difficult to quantify. Some people are sensitive to changes in salt intake whereas others can adjust so that blood pressure does not rise at all.



Americans typically consume 4,000-8,000 mg each day, well above their daily needs. A goal for moderation for all adults, (including pregnancy and lactation) is approximately 2,400 mg of sodium per day.

Dictionaries describe the term "plain-vanilla" as something "simple, plain or ordinary." Few statements could be further from the truth-for there is definitely nothing ordinary about the seductively aromatic vanilla bean. This long, thin pod is the fruit of a luminous celadon-colored orchid (vanilla planifolia), which, of over 20,000 orchid varieties, is the only one that bears anything edible. Native to tropical America, the vanilla bean was cultivated and processed by the Aztecs, who used it to flavor a cocoa-based drink.

a common leavening agent used in baked goods. Used for fireproofing, in baking powder, and as an antirheumaticalso used as a fire retardant and in fertilizers.

The palm fruit develops in dense bunches weighing 10 kilograms (kg) or more and containing more than a thousand individual fruits similar in size to a small plum. Palm oil is obtained from the flesh of the fruit and probably formed part of the food supply of the indigenous populations long before recorded history. It may also have been traded overland, since archaeological evidence indicates that palm oil was most likely available in ancient Egypt. The orange oil taken from the pulp of the fruit of the African palm. It's extremely high in saturated fat (over 75%) and has a distinctive flavor that is popular in West African and South American cooking. Palm-kernel oil, is a different oil extracted from the nut or kernel of palms. It's a yellowish color and has a pleasantly mild flavor. Palm-kernel oil is used in the making of margarine and some cosmetics. It's mostly listed on labels simply as "palm oil."

Alkalis counterbalance and neutralize ACIDS. In cooking, the most common alkali used is bicarbonate of soda, commonly known as BAKING SODA.

Cocoa beans are grown in pods on the cacao tree. The cacao tree is a tropical plant, meaning it thrives in the zones just north and south of the equator: the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Like coffee beans and wine grapes, cocoa beans are cultivated all around the world under widely ranging conditions,and that gives regional cocoas their distinctive characters and flavors. Stories on the health benefits of consuming cocoa products have increasingly made the news following the discovery that they are an excellent source of catechins, which are polyphenols of the flavanol group, and which are believed to protect against heart disease, cancer, and various other medical conditions. Urging consumers to increase their chocolate intake for "Health Reasons" leaves nutritional research less than credible, particularly when diabetes and obesity have become an out-of-control problem in Western societies

Soy Protein Isolate is aspartame free, cholesterol free, ranks #1 in protein digestibility, naturally contains Lecithin, contains all of the essential amino acids our bodies require for optimal function, and contains the most bioactive component of soy protein...Isoflavones. Isoflavones are currently being intensely researched as to the possible positive effects on heart disease, menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, and breast and prostate cancers.

Although soyfoods are widely recognized for their nutritional qualities, interest in soyfoods has risen recently because scientists have discovered that a soy component called isoflavones appears to reduce the risk of cancer. More research needs to be done to determine exactly how isoflavones work, but it appears that as little as one serving of soyfoods a day may be enough to obtain the benefits of this anticancer phytochemical.





Soy protein exerts several anti-atherogenic effects. First, it decreases LDL-cholesterol levels significantly .Second, it tends to increase HDL-cholesterol levels ; this is rather unique since most dietary interventions such as oat bran intake or decreased saturated fat intake significantly decrease HDL-cholesterol levels. Third, soy isoflavones, plant chemicals unique to soybeans, have antioxidant properties which protect LDL from oxidation . Fourth, soy isoflavones have favorable effects on blood vessel function.

(source:Indiana Soybean Board)



Although soyfoods are widely recognized for their nutritional qualities, interest in soyfoods has risen recently because scientists have discovered that a soy component called isoflavones appears to reduce the risk of cancer. More research needs to be done to determine exactly how isoflavones work, but it appears that as little as one serving of soyfoods a day may be enough to obtain the benefits of this anticancer phytochemical.



Traditional soy products such as tofu, tempeh, and soy milk are very high in protein. Tempeh has the highest percentage of protein of the traditional soy products providing approximately 22 grams of protein for each 4 ounce (113 gram) serving. Tofu provides approximately 9 grams of protein for a similar small serving size. The Recommended Dietary Allowance of protein for adult males (aged 25-50) is appoximately 63 grams and 50 grams for adult females (aged 25-50). Soy products can provide a significant portion of one's daily protein needs.



It is important to keep in mind, however, that the balance of amino acids (protein building blocks) in soy is not the same as meat. Because soy foods does not have an ideal balance of amino acids, some experts recommend taking in a little extra soy foods and/or combining soy products or legumes with a whole grain dish at meals where other protein (e.g., eggs, fish) is not eaten. The amino acids in whole grains combine well with amino acids in soy and legumes to make a more ideal balance of amino acids. If a person's diet is reasonably-balanced, however, there is usually no need to be concerned about getting enough protein.

Source:http://www.soyinfo.com/



Vegetarians and health enthusiasts have known for years that foods rich in soy protein offer a good alternative to meat, poultry, and other animal-based products. As consumers have pursued healthier lifestyles in recent years, consumption of soy foods has risen steadily, bolstered by scientific studies showing health benefits from these products. Last October, the Food and Drug Administration gave food manufacturers permission to put labels on products high in soy protein indicating that these foods may help lower heart disease risk.



As with health claims for oat bran and other foods before it, this health claim provides consumers with solid scientific information about the benefits of soy protein and helps them make informed choices to create a "heart healthy" diet. Health claims encourage food manufacturers to make more healthful products. With soy, food manufacturers have responded with a cornucopia of soy-based wares.



No sooner had FDA proposed the health claim regulation, however, than concerns arose about certain components in soy products, particularly isoflavones. Resulting questions have engulfed the regulation in controversy.



This came as no surprise to Elizabeth A. Yetley, Ph.D., lead scientist for nutrition at FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition . "Every dietary health claim that has ever been published has had controversy," she says, "even the relationship of saturated fat to a healthy diet."



While the controversy may seem confusing to the consumer giving it casual consideration, a careful review of the science behind the rule reveals a strict divide between what FDA allows as a health claim based on solid scientific research and related issues that go well beyond the approved statements about health benefits of soy protein.

Source:http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2000/300_soy.html

Naturally occuring calcium / calcium carrier



Calcium deficiency is a major problem in the United States. 60% of children under 5 and 40% of children 6 - 11 consume less than their RDA. Of teens, 65% of boys and up to 85% of girls consume less than the recommended amounts. On average, women of all age groups fall far short. These deficiencies, especially in young women, are particularly disturbing because bone built during this time must carry them through the rest of their lives.



Calcium is A mineral essential in building and maintaining bones and teeth, as well as in providing efficient muscle contraction and blood clotting. Calcium is found in dairy products, leafy green vegetables (such as spinach, turnip greens and broccoli), sardines and canned salmon with bones and rhubarb. Calcium-fortified orange juice is an excellent source.



Deficiency Symptoms include; Loss of bone, and inadequate bone formation that lead to osteoporosis and Vitamin D deficiency. Studies are underway prove possible links between calcium and blood preasure (hypertension), and colon cancer.



Toxicity Symptoms: No adverse effects up to 2,400 mg per day for health adults. Generally not well-absorbed higher than 2,400 mg per day. Very high levels may inhibit the absorbtion of other minerals, particularly iron and zinc, and cause constipation.

Alkalis counterbalance and neutralize ACIDS. In cooking, the most common alkali used is bicarbonate of soda, commonly known as BAKING SODA.

Cocoa beans are grown in pods on the cacao tree. The cacao tree is a tropical plant, meaning it thrives in the zones just north and south of the equator: the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Like coffee beans and wine grapes, cocoa beans are cultivated all around the world under widely ranging conditions,and that gives regional cocoas their distinctive characters and flavors. Stories on the health benefits of consuming cocoa products have increasingly made the news following the discovery that they are an excellent source of catechins, which are polyphenols of the flavanol group, and which are believed to protect against heart disease, cancer, and various other medical conditions. Urging consumers to increase their chocolate intake for "Health Reasons" leaves nutritional research less than credible, particularly when diabetes and obesity have become an out-of-control problem in Western societies

Approved in the United States in April 1998, sucralose (a synthetic chemical) can be used in soft drinks, baked goods, ice cream, sweetener packets, and other products. It previously had been used in Canada, Europe, and elsewhere. Sucralose is safer than saccharin and cyclamate and doesn’t raise the concerns that tests on acesulfame-K and aspartame have raised.

Although soyfoods are widely recognized for their nutritional qualities, interest in soyfoods has risen recently because scientists have discovered that a soy component called isoflavones appears to reduce the risk of cancer. More research needs to be done to determine exactly how isoflavones work, but it appears that as little as one serving of soyfoods a day may be enough to obtain the benefits of this anticancer phytochemical.



Traditional soy products such as tofu, tempeh, and soy milk are very high in protein. Tempeh has the highest percentage of protein of the traditional soy products providing approximately 22 grams of protein for each 4 ounce (113 gram) serving. Tofu provides approximately 9 grams of protein for a similar small serving size. The Recommended Dietary Allowance of protein for adult males (aged 25-50) is appoximately 63 grams and 50 grams for adult females (aged 25-50). Soy products can provide a significant portion of one's daily protein needs.



It is important to keep in mind, however, that the balance of amino acids (protein building blocks) in soy is not the same as meat. Because soy foods does not have an ideal balance of amino acids, some experts recommend taking in a little extra soy foods and/or combining soy products or legumes with a whole grain dish at meals where other protein (e.g., eggs, fish) is not eaten. The amino acids in whole grains combine well with amino acids in soy and legumes to make a more ideal balance of amino acids. If a person's diet is reasonably-balanced, however, there is usually no need to be concerned about getting enough protein.

Source:http://www.soyinfo.com/



Vegetarians and health enthusiasts have known for years that foods rich in soy protein offer a good alternative to meat, poultry, and other animal-based products. As consumers have pursued healthier lifestyles in recent years, consumption of soy foods has risen steadily, bolstered by scientific studies showing health benefits from these products. Last October, the Food and Drug Administration gave food manufacturers permission to put labels on products high in soy protein indicating that these foods may help lower heart disease risk.



As with health claims for oat bran and other foods before it, this health claim provides consumers with solid scientific information about the benefits of soy protein and helps them make informed choices to create a "heart healthy" diet. Health claims encourage food manufacturers to make more healthful products. With soy, food manufacturers have responded with a cornucopia of soy-based wares. (See "The Soy Health Claim.")



No sooner had FDA proposed the health claim regulation, however, than concerns arose about certain components in soy products, particularly isoflavones. Resulting questions have engulfed the regulation in controversy.



This came as no surprise to Elizabeth A. Yetley, Ph.D., lead scientist for nutrition at FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition . "Every dietary health claim that has ever been published has had controversy," she says, "even the relationship of saturated fat to a healthy diet."



While the controversy may seem confusing to the consumer giving it casual consideration, a careful review of the science behind the rule reveals a strict divide between what FDA allows as a health claim based on solid scientific research and related issues that go well beyond the approved statements about health benefits of soy protein.

Source:http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2000/300_soy.html

Dried coconut meat, called copra, is pressed and used to make coconut oil, which is used in commercial frying and as a component in many packaged goods such as candies, margarines, soap and cosmetics. Coconut oil-one of the few nonanimal saturated fats-is used widely in the manufacture of baked goods such as commercial cookies. Certain major manufacturers have replaced it with the more expensive unsaturated fats with an eye toward cholesterol consciousness.

Soy lecithin is a mixture of fatty substances that are derived from the processing of soybeans. Lecithin is separated from soybean oil by the addition of water and centrifugation (rapid spinning) and purified for use as a food additive. Its chemical name is phosphatidylcholine, which identifies its major components of choline, phosphoric acid, glycerin, and fatty acids. Lecithin is used widely in foods as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and antioxidant.



Studies show most soy-allergic individual can safely eat products containing soy lecithin without experiencing any allergic reactions.



Although soyfoods are widely recognized for their nutritional qualities, interest in soyfoods has risen recently because scientists have discovered that a soy component called isoflavones appears to reduce the risk of cancer. More research needs to be done to determine exactly how isoflavones work, but it appears that as little as one serving of soyfoods a day may be enough to obtain the benefits of this anticancer phytochemical.



Traditional soy products such as tofu, tempeh, and soy milk are very high in protein. Tempeh has the highest percentage of protein of the traditional soy products providing approximately 22 grams of protein for each 4 ounce (113 gram) serving. Tofu provides approximately 9 grams of protein for a similar small serving size. The Recommended Dietary Allowance of protein for adult males (aged 25-50) is appoximately 63 grams and 50 grams for adult females (aged 25-50). Soy products can provide a significant portion of one's daily protein needs.



It is important to keep in mind, however, that the balance of amino acids (protein building blocks) in soy is not the same as meat. Because soy foods does not have an ideal balance of amino acids, some experts recommend taking in a little extra soy foods and/or combining soy products or legumes with a whole grain dish at meals where other protein (e.g., eggs, fish) is not eaten. The amino acids in whole grains combine well with amino acids in soy and legumes to make a more ideal balance of amino acids. If a person's diet is reasonably-balanced, however, there is usually no need to be concerned about getting enough protein.

Source:http://www.soyinfo.com/



Vegetarians and health enthusiasts have known for years that foods rich in soy protein offer a good alternative to meat, poultry, and other animal-based products. As consumers have pursued healthier lifestyles in recent years, consumption of soy foods has risen steadily, bolstered by scientific studies showing health benefits from these products. Last October, the Food and Drug Administration gave food manufacturers permission to put labels on products high in soy protein indicating that these foods may help lower heart disease risk.



As with health claims for oat bran and other foods before it, this health claim provides consumers with solid scientific information about the benefits of soy protein and helps them make informed choices to create a "heart healthy" diet. Health claims encourage food manufacturers to make more healthful products. With soy, food manufacturers have responded with a cornucopia of soy-based wares. (See "The Soy Health Claim.")



No sooner had FDA proposed the health claim regulation, however, than concerns arose about certain components in soy products, particularly isoflavones. Resulting questions have engulfed the regulation in controversy.



This came as no surprise to Elizabeth A. Yetley, Ph.D., lead scientist for nutrition at FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition . "Every dietary health claim that has ever been published has had controversy," she says, "even the relationship of saturated fat to a healthy diet."



While the controversy may seem confusing to the consumer giving it casual consideration, a careful review of the science behind the rule reveals a strict divide between what FDA allows as a health claim based on solid scientific research and related issues that go well beyond the approved statements about health benefits of soy protein.

Source:http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2000/300_soy.html

Flavor(s) Natural & Artificial

A combination of both what is considered “natural” and “artificial” flavoring under the Federal Drug Administration(FDA) Regulations. Artificial flavoring “means any substance, the function of which is to impart flavor, which is not derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof.” In other words, substances not found in nature to add flavor to a substance is considered artificial. See Artificial Flavor. Natural flavoring “means the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.” See Natural Flavor.

Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 of the Us. Food and Drug Administration. Title 21. Volume 2. Revised 1 April 2010.

One of the most widely used colors is caramel, the color of burnt sugar.



There are many different types of caramel color, each engineered to serve a particular purpose in food chemistry. They are all based on the cooking of sugars and starches. Sometimes acids such as acetic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, or phosphoric acid, are used to break the bonds between sugars to create invert sugars, or to make sugars from starches, before the sugars are raised to a higher temperature for carmelization.



The heat is carefully controlled during carmelization to get the right products from the reaction. Besides acids, alkalies and salts may be used to further control the process.



Caramel color is a colloid, a mixture in which solid particles are suspended in water. The particles in colloids have electric charges that keep the particles from clumping together and settling out of solution. The charges can be positive or negative. If a negative coloid is added to a product that has positive colloidal particles in it, the two will attract one another and clump up, making the product cloudy.



Caramel color can be made with either positively or negatively charged particles. This allows manufacturers to use negative colloidal caramel in acidic soft drinks, and positive in beers and soy sauces. Beer has positively charged proteins suspended in it, and soy sauce has a high salt content that requires the more salt-tolerant positive caramel color.



Caramel color is an emulsifying agent as well as a colorant. In soft drinks, it helps keep the flavor oils suspended in the solution.



In chocolate milk, the muddy color of caramel is darkened by the addition of FD&C Red #40 to give what the industry refers to as a "Dutch" chocolate shade. Blues and yellows are sometimes used to give a more brown color.



Caramel color is added to baked goods, to poultry, to milk to give an "eggnog" color, to malt vinegars, canned meats, syrups, and soups, stews, and gravies.



If caramel color is made in North America it is likely to be gluten-free.



The problem with caramel color is that it may or may not contain gluten depending on how it is manufactured. In the USA caramel color must conform with the FDA standard of identity from 21CFR CH.1. This statute says: "the color additive caramel is the dark-brown liquid or solid material resulting from the carefully controlled heat treatment of the following food-grade carbohydrates: Dextrose (corn sugar), invert sugar, lactose (milk sugar), malt syrup (usually from barley malt), molasses (from cane), starch hydrolysates and fractions thereof (can include wheat), sucrose (cane or beet)." Also, acids, alkalis and salts are listed as additives which may be employed to assist the caramelization process.



Source: http://sci-toys.com/ingredients/fdc_colors.html

Pressing tree-ripened olives extracts a flavorful, monounsaturated oil that is prized throughout the world both for cooking (particularly in Mediterranean countries) and for salads. Today's marketplace provides a wide selection of domestic olive oil (most of which comes from California) and imported oils from France, Greece, Italy and Spain. The flavor, color and fragrance of olive oils can vary dramatically depending on distinctions such as growing region and the crop's condition.

Synonyms: Pyrosulfurous acid, disodium salt; Sodium Pyrosulfite; Disodium Salt Pyrosulfurous Acid; Sodium disulfite; Disodium disulfite; Disulfurous acid, disodium salt.

white, odorless, crystalline powder or granular. Preservative and disinfectant in food and beverage industries as a source of sulfur dioxide



It is used as a food additive, mainly as a preservative and is sometimes identified as E223.



It may cause allergic reactions in those who are sensitive to sulfites, including respiratory reactions in asthmatics as well as in those who do not identify with the condition.



It is present in many dilutable squashes (i.e. fruit juice concentrates) and in candy bars such as Mounds.



Sodium metabisulfite and potassium metabisulfite are the primary ingredients in Campden tablets, used for wine and beer making.



The acceptable daily intake is up to 0.7 mg per kg of body weight. Sodium metabisulfite has no side effects; it is oxidised in the liver to harmless sulfate and excreted in the urine.

Drying is the oldest method of preserving food. The early American settlers dried foods such as corn, apple slices, currants, grapes, and meat. Compared with other methods, drying is quite simple. In fact, you may already have most of the equipment on hand. Dried foods keep well because the moisture content is so low that spoilage organisms cannot grow.



Drying will never replace canning and freezing because these methods do a better job of retaining the taste, appearance, and nutritive value of fresh food. But drying is an excellent way to preserve foods that can add variety to meals and provide delicious, nutritious snacks. One of the biggest advantages of dried foods is that they take much less storage space than canned or frozen foods.

Many kinds of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, meat, and fish can be dried



Emergency Essentials carries dehydrated food and dry foods that can be added to the food storage portion of your emergeny preparedness plan.



The coconut, one of the most important cultivated trees in the world, is Cocos nucifera of the palm family, Palmaceae. Only the one species is in this genus.

"Descriptive features are: (1) the slender often leaning trunk, enlarged at base, ringed above and 8 to 12 inches in diameter; (2) many pinnate (feathery) leaves 12 to 20 feet long with basal sheath of coarse brown fibers, long petiole (stem) and numerous very narrow shiny yellow-green segments (pinnae or leaflets) spreading regularly in one plane on both sides of axis; (3) numerous whitish or pale yellow male and female flowers in branched flower clusters at leaf bases; and (4) fruit, the familiar coconut, egg-shaped or elliptic, consisting of a light brown fibrous husk 8 to 12 inches long, a hard shell and one very large hollow seed with whitish, oily edible flesh) "What we call the meat of the coconut is really food for the developing embryo and is technically called the endosperm. In the young fruit this is a liquid but it gradually becomes firm, and by nine months the meat is at its greatest thickness,The fruit botanically is not a nut but a drupe.



The bluntly 3-angled husk is 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches thick. It does not split open spontaneously as some fruits do. The meat is about 3/8 inch thick. The large central cavity contains a watery or milky liquid often called coconut milk or coconut water. It is one of the largest seeds known, surpassed only by the 1-seeded, 2-lobed fruit of the double-coconut (Lodoicea maldivica), a tall fan palm of the Seychelles islands in the Indian Ocean. L. maldivica produces fruit weighing up to 50 pounds.

The coconut palm is medium sized, usually 30 to 60 feet, sometimes as tall as 80 feet. "The slender trunk is enlarged to 16 to 20 inches in diameter at base, often slightly inclined there, and may be leaning as a result of the constant coastal breeze or after partial uprooting by a hurricane. The gray or brown trunk is lightly cracked. At the apex is the relatively broad evergreen growth of alternate, erect, spreading and drooping leaves," known as fronds.

A colorless, crystalline organic compound belonging to the family of carboxylic acids, present in practically all plants and in many animal tissues and fluids. It is one of a series of compounds involved in the physiological oxidation of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates to carbon dioxide and water.



First isolated from lemon juice by a Swedish chemist, Carl Wilhelm Scheele, in 1784, citric acid is manufactured by fermentation of cane sugar or molasses in the presence of a fungus, Aspergillus niger. It is used in confections and soft drinks (as a flavoring agent), in metal-cleaning compositions, and in improving the stability of foods and other organic substances (by suppressing the deleterious action of dissolved metal salts)."



Citrus fruits are notable for their fragrance, and most are juice-laden. They contain a high proportion of citric acid giving them their characteristic astringent odour and flavour. They are also good sources of vitamin C. In botanical terms, "The fruit of all Citrus trees, in which the true fruit is the peel, [is] made up of an outer layer, brightly colored and rich in glands, a spongey whitish mesocarp, and a membraneous endocarp surrounding the segments. The succulent parts we eat is only a secondary tissue developed as a filler"



List of citrus fruits:

Amanatsu

Bergamot orange

Bitter orange (Seville Orange)

Calamondin (Calamansi)

Citron

Clementine

Golden Lime - hybrid between the genus Citrus and the genus Fortunella

Daidai

Dancy

Grapefruit

Ichang Lemon

Iyokan

Kaffir lime

Key lime

Kumquat - in the related genus Fortunella, not Citrus; forms hybrids with Citrus

Lemon

Lime

Limequat

Mandarin Lime

Mandarin Orange

Meyer Lemon

Mikan

Minneola

Natsumikan

Orange

Orangelo (Chironja)

Orangequat

Persian lime (Tahiti lime)

Pomelo (Pummelo, Shaddock)

Ponkan

Rangpur (Lemanderin)

Rough Lemon

Satsuma

Shekwasha (Taiwan Tangerine)

Sudachi

Sweetie

Tachibana Orange

Tangelo

Tangerine

Tangor

Ugli

Yuzu



Some brands of Citric Acid may be made from wheat, however this is very rare.

Maltodextrin is a flavorless, easily digested carbohydrate made from cornstarch. A natural, complex carbohydrate, it is not a simple sugar (dextrose, fructose, sucrose etc.) It can be derived from potato or corn starch; used in food industry such as sweets, drink, beer, ice cream, preserved fruit, milk powder, malted mild, cake, biscuit and bread, as well as in medicine, textile, printing and dyeing, paper making, casting and petroleum drilling; generally recognized as safe.



Maltodextrin often contains Monosodium Glutimate (MSG), to which many people have an adverse reaction to.

Approved in the United States in April 1998, sucralose (a synthetic chemical) can be used in soft drinks, baked goods, ice cream, sweetener packets, and other products. It previously had been used in Canada, Europe, and elsewhere. Sucralose is safer than saccharin and cyclamate and doesn’t raise the concerns that tests on acesulfame-K and aspartame have raised.

Simply put, mono- and diglycerides are fats. They are made from oil,usually soybean, cottonseed, sunflower, or palm oil, act as emulsifiers (provide a consistent texture and prevent separation), and are used in most baked products to keep them from getting stale. In ice cream and other processed foods, including margarine, instant potatoes, and chewing gum, they serve as stabilizers, which give foods body and improve consistency.



Mono and diglycerides themselves do not contain gluten, but mono and diglycerides are almost always on lists of questionable foods for celiacs because of the possibility that wheat might be used with them as a carrier.



Under FDA regulations, a carrier used with mono and diglycerides in this manner would fall into the incidental additive category. Additives are considered incidental when they are present in insignificant amounts and have no technical or functional effect on the final food product. FDA regulations, which generally require that all ingredients of a food be listed on the label, do allow certain incidental additives to be left off the label.



However, recent concern about allergens has led the FDA to warn food manufacturers that it does not consider the eight most common food allergens (eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat) eligible for this labeling exemption. The FDA first clarified the exemption in 1996 in response to a growing number of reports of allergic reactions from foods that according to their label should have been allergen free. Now, the FDA has updated that clarification in a compliance policy guide for the food industry that says incidental additives containing common food allergens have never been considered eligible for the exemption. The Food Allergy Issues Alliance, a group of food trade associations and consumer interest groups, in May issued labeling guidelines that say incidental additives should be on the label. For celiacs this means that if wheat is used as a carrier for mono and diglycerides, it has to be declared on the label.



All this would seem to indicate that celiacs can remove mono and diglycerides from any suspicious or questionable food lists and still feel safe.



Source: http://www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/monodiglycerides.html

Dipotassium phosphate - also phosphoric acid, dipotassium salt; dipotassium hydrogen orthophosphate; potassium phosphate, dibasic - is a highly water-soluble salt which is often used as a fertilizer, food additive and buffering agent. It is a common source of phosphorus and potassium.

Acesulfame Potassium

Also seen as Acesulfame K, Ace-K, Sunett, or Sweet One, Acesulfame Potassium is a sugar substitute that is 200 times sweeter than table sugar. It is used as a flavor enhancer and sweetener for foods. It is a low calorie food ingredient because our bodies do not metabolize it. Acesulfame K also is not consumed by bacteria so it does not contribute to tooth decay as sugar does. However, methylene chloride is used for the production of Acesulfame K, which also is used as a propellant, degreaser, and paint stripper. There are many side effects with consumption of Acesulfame K, including increased risk for cancer, triggering chronic respiratory disease, or abnormal cravings for sweets. The chemical remains stable when exposed to heat, basic, or acidic conditions. Since it is stable under high heat, manufacturers use Acesulfame K potassium to use in baking and extending shelf life. This artificial sweetener has a slight bitter aftertaste, but companies are using this with sodium ferulate to mask the bitterness. Other companies use Acesulfame K with other alternative sweeteners such as Aspartame or sucralose to control the use of it. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends the acceptable daily intake of 15mg/kg of body weight/day.

"Artificial Sweeteners Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - Acesulfame K: What Are the Pros on

MedicineNet." Web. 17 May 2011. .

Denby, Amelia. "Acesulfame Potassium Dangers Medical Questions, Weight Loss, Pregnancy, Drugs,

Health Insurance." Health: Medical Questions, Weight Loss, Pregnancy, Drugs, Health Insurance. 14 Jan. 2011. Web. 17 May 2011. .

"What Is Acesulfame Potassium?" Tech-FAQ. Web. 17 May 2011.
faq.com/acesulfame-potassium.html>.

Researchers at the USDA Human Nutrition Center (HNRCA) have found that blueberries rank #1 in antioxidant activity when compared to 40 other fresh fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants help neutralize harmful by-products of metabolism called "free radicals" that can lead to cancer and other age related diseases. Anthocyanin -- the pigment that makes the blueberries blue -- is thought to be responsible for this major health benefit.

In another USDA Human Nutrition Center (HNRCA) lab, neuroscientists discovered that feeding blueberries to laboratory rats slowed age-related loss in their mental capacity, a finding that has important implications for humans. Again, the high antioxidant activity of blueberries probably played a role.

A one cup serving of blueberries contains 16% DV of fiber. Blueberries are a source of Vitamins A and C, potassium and folate.

Blueberries are very low in fat and sodium.

– A concentrate is a form of substance which has had the majority of its base component, or solvent, removed. Typically this will be the removal of water from a solution or suspension such as the removal of water from fruit juice. The benefit of producing a concentrate is that of a reduction in weight for transportation as the concentrate can be re-constituted at the time of usage

Tricalcium phosphate is a compound with formula Ca3(PO4)2. It is also known as calcium orthophosphate, tertiary calcium phosphate, tribasic calcium phosphate, or "bone ash" (calcium phosphate being one of the main combustion products of bone).



It has an alpha an alpha' and a beta crystal form, the alpha state being formed at high temperatures. As rock, it is found in Whitlockite.



Tricalcium phosphate is used in powdered spices as an anti-caking agent.



Calcium phosphate is an important raw material for the production of phosphoric acid and fertilizers, for example in the Odda process.



Calcium phosphate is also a raising agent (food additives) E341. Is a mineral salt found in rocks and bones, it is used in cheese products.



It is also used as a nutritional supplement. There is some debate about the different bioavailabilities of the different calcium salts.



It is commonly used in porcelain and dental powders, and medically as an antacid or calcium supplement, although calcium carbonate is more common in this regard.



Another practical application of the compound is its use in gene transfection. The calcium ions can make a cell competent (a euphemism for "rip holes in its membrane") to allow exogenous genes to enter the cell by diffusion. A heat shock afterwards then invokes the cell to repair itself. This is a quick and easy method for transfection, albeit a rather inefficient one.

Naturally occuring calcium / calcium carrier



Calcium deficiency is a major problem in the United States. 60% of children under 5 and 40% of children 6 - 11 consume less than their RDA. Of teens, 65% of boys and up to 85% of girls consume less than the recommended amounts. On average, women of all age groups fall far short. These deficiencies, especially in young women, are particularly disturbing because bone built during this time must carry them through the rest of their lives.



Calcium is A mineral essential in building and maintaining bones and teeth, as well as in providing efficient muscle contraction and blood clotting. Calcium is found in dairy products, leafy green vegetables (such as spinach, turnip greens and broccoli), sardines and canned salmon with bones and rhubarb. Calcium-fortified orange juice is an excellent source.



Deficiency Symptoms include; Loss of bone, and inadequate bone formation that lead to osteoporosis and Vitamin D deficiency. Studies are underway prove possible links between calcium and blood preasure (hypertension), and colon cancer.



Toxicity Symptoms: No adverse effects up to 2,400 mg per day for health adults. Generally not well-absorbed higher than 2,400 mg per day. Very high levels may inhibit the absorbtion of other minerals, particularly iron and zinc, and cause constipation.

Magnesium is a naturally occurring mineral. Magnesium is important for many systems in the body especially the muscles and nerves.



Magnesium oxide is used as a supplement to maintain adequate magnesium in the body.



Before taking magnesium oxide, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, allergies, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Magnesium oxide may not be recommended in some situations.

Vitamin A is very important for maintaining good vision. In fact, the first sign of a vitamin A deficiency is often night blindness. Vitamin A also contributes to the maintenance of healthy skin and mucous membranes that line the nose, sinuses, and mouth. Research has shown that this nutrient is necessary for proper immune system function, growth, bone formation, reproduction, and wound healing. Animal studies also suggest that it provides some protection from toxic chemicals such as dioxins. (Dioxins are released into the air from combustion processes such as commercial waste incineration and burning fuels like wood, coal or oil. These chemicals can also be found in cigarette smoke.)

: (Vitamin C) An antioxidant and one of the most important vitamins in the defence against illness. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin which is necessary for the re-formation of tissue in the body and the production of adrenalin and healthy gums.

Vitamin C protects against the harmful effects of pollution, prevents cancer, protects against infections and strengthens the immune defence. It can also lower the level of cholesterol and the blood pressure. Protects against the development of sclerosis.

Vitamin C prevents blood clotting, it induces wound healing and the production of anti-stress hormone. It gives rise to the production of interferon and is necessary in the metabolization of folic acid, tyrosine, and phenylalanine.

Studies indicate that the combination of vitamin C and vitamin E has a stronger effect than the individual vitamins. Vitamin E searches for harmful oxygen radicals in the cell membranes, whereas vitamin C destroys the chain of free radicals. Both of these vitamins are very active antioxidants.

Since the body cannot produce vitamin C itself, it must be provided through the diet or as a supplement. Vitamin C normally only stays in the body for a few hours. Therefore it should be supplemented at short intervals. Vitamin C is secreted with the urine. Illness increases the body's need of vitamin C.

The best way of taking vitamin C is therefore as a long-acting tablet or at least three times daily with bioflavanoids, which are found in fruit and vegetables or can be taken as a supplement. For many acute diseases it can be taken once an hour with advantage. Vitamin C is most effectively administered intravenously, especially if a larger therapeutic supplement is needed, but this requires consultation with a doctor.

Ascorbic acid helps maintain the red color of cured meat and prevents the formation of nitrosamines, which promote cancer (see SODIUM NITRITE). It helps prevent loss of color and flavor by reacting with unwanted oxygen. It is used as a nutrient additive in drinks and breakfast cereals. Sodium ascorbate is a more soluble form of ascorbic acid. ERYTHORBIC ACID is very similar to ascorbic acid, but has no value as a vitamin. Large amounts of ascorbic acid may reduce the severity of colds and offer other health benefits.

Folic acid is the synthetic form of the B vitamin folate. Folic acid is necessary for the synthesis of nucleic acids and the formation of red blood cells. Folic-acid deficiency most commonly causes folic-acid-deficiency anemia. Symptoms include gastrointestinal problems, such as sore tongue, cracks at the corners of the mouth, diarrhea, and ulceration of the stomach and intestines. Large doses of folic acid can cause convulsions and other nervous-system problems.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations require enriched grain products to contain this essential vitamin.



Current studies have discovered a link between folic acid and brain function in older people. The study divided 818 people ages 50 to 75 to take either a vitamin containing 800 micrograms of folic acid a day, or a dummy pill, for three years.



On memory tests, the supplement users had scores comparable to people 5.5 years younger, Durga said. On tests of cognitive speed, the folic acid helped users perform as well as people 1.9 years younger.

A white or yellowish-white, amorphous, odorless, water-insoluble powder, ZnO, used chiefly as a paint pigment, in cosmetics, dental cements, matches, white printing inks, and opaque glass, and in medicine in the treatment of skin conditions. Also called flowers of zinc, zinc' white'.

Sodium Selenite - Selenious acid & disodium salt. It is widely used to supply the trace element selenium.



Selenium is a component of an enzyme with antioxidant properties. Like vitamin E, it prevents oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. May free vitamin E for other tasks.

Found in Meats, Seafoods, Kidney, and Liver. Cereals and grains can also be good sources, but the level varies depending on the amount of selenium in the soil they were grown in.



Source: Harvard Medical School - Health Publications Group, Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamin K

Sym: phylloquinone, Menadione, Menaquinone, naphthoquinone



Without vitamin K, your blood would not clot and you would very likely bleed to death. Of the 13 proteins needed for clotting K is essential to the making of at least six.

Vitamin K is found in so many foods that deficiency is rare. Newborns are the exception: they are not born with vitamin K producing bacteria in the intestines, and get no vitamin K from their mothers or breastmilk. The result is a very real risk of uncontrolled bleeding. To prevent this, most newborns get a one-time injection or oral dose of vitamin K before they leave the hospital.

Chromium is required for normal protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism. Chromium plays a role in regulating appetite, reducing the cravings for sugar and increasing lean body mass.



Chromium contains a special bioactive formulation called Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF). GTF facilitates insulin action by binding insulin to cell membranes, serving as a bridge between the insulin molecule and the cell membrane receptor sites. Remember, glucose is used by cells for energy, insulin is used by by the body to transport the glucose into the cells, Chromium's GTF factor essentially assist the glucose to enter the cell. Therefore, all both insulin and GTF are needed for proper glucose metabolism. Chromium deficiency can lead to Type II diabetes and heart disease. Chromium deficiency is thought to contribute to glucose intolerance.



Chromium has also been shown to reduce levels of harmful LDL cholesterol (a form of cholesterol that has been linked to heart disease) and increase beneficial HDL cholesterol (HDL cholesterol helps return cholesterol to the liver, keeping it from building up in the blood vessels).