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Filtered water: Municipal water is filtered through a five-micron barrier that captures dirt, rust and sediment, particles smaller than the eye can see. Reverse-osmosis systems and charcoal filters are also used to acheve "Filtered water"



A note about water: More and more evidence shows the benifit of being well hydrated.

Studies show that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated (likely applies to half the world's population), leading to possible health problems such as fatigue. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger, leading to over-eating. And even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.



Bottled Water: Some types of bottled water are not subject to the same regulations as tap water. These are regulated as food products, and their regulations are largely related to sanitary food handling and processing practices. Bottled water manufacturers will provide a detailed report on the quality of their product to consumers who call to request it.

Evaporated cane juice is a healthy alternative to refined sugar. While both sweetners are made from sugar cane, evaporated cane juice does not undergo the same degree of processing that refined sugar does. Therefore, unlike refined sugar, it retains more of the nutrients found in sugar cane.



Source:http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=120

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

ACACIA NILOTICA Acacia Gum - (Arabic Gum) (LINN.) All the gum-yielding Acacias exhibit the same habit and general appearance, differing only in technical characters. They are spiny shrubs or small trees, preferring sandy or sterile regions, with the climate dry during the greater part of the year.

The gum harvest from the various species lasts about five weeks. About the middle of November, after the rainy season, it exudes spontaneously from the trunk and principal branches, but the flow is generally stimulated by incisions in the bark, a thin strip, 2 to 3 feet in length and 1 to 3 inches wide being torn off. In about fifteen days it thickens in the furrow down which it runs, hardening on exposure to the air, usually in the form of round or oval tears, about the size of a pigeon's egg, but sometimes in vermicular forms, white or red, according to whether the species is a white or red gum tree.



About the middle of December, the Moors commence the harvesting. The masses of gum are collected, either while adhering to the bark, or after it falls to the ground, the entire product, often of various species, thus collected, is packed in baskets and very large sacks of tanned leather and brought on camels and bullocks to the centers of accumulation and then to the points of export, chiefly Suakin, Alexandria, or - in Senegambia - St. Louis. It is then known as 'Acacia sorts,' the term being equivalent to 'unsorted Acacia.' The unsorted gums show the widest variation as to size of fragments, whiteness, clearness, freedom from adhering matter, etc. It is next sorted or 'picked' in accordance with these differences.



There are many kinds of Acacia Gum in commerce:

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

Canola oil [kan-OH-luh] "The market name for rapeseed oil which, as might be assumed from the name, is expressed from rape seeds. For obvious reasons, the name was changed to canola by the Canadian seed-oil industry. Canola is, in fact, Canada's most widely used oil. It's commonly referred to there as lear oil, for "low erucic acid rapeseed" oil. The popularity of canola oil is rising fast in the United States, probably because it's been discovered to be lower in saturated fat (about 6 percent) than any other oil. This compares to the saturated fat content of peanut oil (about 18 percent) and palm oil (at an incredibly high 79 percent). Another canola oil selling point is that it contains more cholesterol-balancing monounsaturated fat than any oil except olive oil. It also has the distinction of containing Omega-3 fatty acids, the wonder polyunsaturated fat reputed to not only lower both cholesterol and triglycerides, but to contribute to brain growth and development as well. The bland-tasting canola oil is suitable both for cooking and for salad dressings." -- from The Food Lover's Companion, by Sharon Tyler Herbst.



Cold Extraction Methods

Cold Pressed Cold pressing refers to oils obtained through pressing and grinding fruit or seeds with the use of heavy granite millstones or modern stainless steel presses, which are found in large commercial operations. Although pressing and grinding produces heat through friction, the temperature must not rise above 120ºF for any oil to be considered cold pressed. The maximum temperature for cold pressed olive oil is somewhat lower. Olive, sesame, peanut, and sunflower are among the oils obtained from cold pressing. (Highly refined versions of these oils are also produced.) Cold pressed oils retain all of their flavor, aroma, and nutritional value.

Vacuum Extraction Vacuum extraction is another method of cold extraction that produces oils with an expeller process. The process occurs in an atmosphere with no oxygen or light. The temperature during the expeller process may be as low as 70ºF.

Heat Extraction Methods

Expeller Pressed Expeller pressing is like cold pressing except that extreme pressure is added during the pressing. As much pressure as 15 tons per square inch is used to squeeze the oil from the fruit or seeds. The high pressure also produces high heat (as high as 300ºF ) through friction, so the oils produced with the expeller process cannot be considered cold pressed. The oils obtained with this method retain much their flavor, aroma, and nutritional value, but not to the extent of cold pressed oils.

Solvent Extraction Chemical solvents are used to extract oil, which is then boiled to eliminate most of the solvents. Further refining such as bleaching, deodorizing, and heating to high temperatures cleanses the oil, resulting in a product that has very little of the original flavor, aroma, or nutrients contained in the seeds or fruit before processing. Most of the oils produced with this method have a high smoke point and a long shelf life.

Flavor(s) Natural

Under the Code of Federal Regulation, natural flavor is defined as “the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating, enzymolysis (biochemical decomposition of a substance), which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, 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.” Natural flavoring substances are obtained from plant or animal raw materials, containing no other artificial or added ingredients. Spices approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) such as black pepper and basil do not have to be listed under its specific name. Additives can also be listed under natural flavoring because they might meet FDA definition standards, the extraction process consider flavorings man-made. In addition, spice extracts, essential oils, oleoresins, onion powder/juice, and garlic powder/juice are allowed to be labeled under “flavor” or “natural flavor.”

"Common Food Safety Questions from FSIS - Natural Flavorings on Meat & Poultry Labels." USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service Home. Web. 16 May 2011. .

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

Citric acid (Sodium Citrate) is versatile, widely used, cheap, and safe. It is an important metabolite in virtually all living organisms and is especially abundant naturally in citrus fruits and berries. It is used as a strong acid, a tart flavoring, and an antioxidant. Sodium citrate, also safe, is a buffer that controls the acidity of gelatin desserts, jam, ice cream, candy, and other foods.

(Thickening Agent) Carrageenan is obtained from seaweed. Large amounts of carrageenan have harmed test animals colons; the small amounts in food are generally recognized as safe.



A 2007 joint FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)/WHO (World Health Organization) committee stated that “based on information available, it is inadvisable to use carrageenan or processed eucheuma seaweed in infant formulas.” While Carrageenan is “generally recognized as safe” in the US due to the very small amounts generally included in products, when it is included in formula, the infant tends to consume much more and is therefore at risk for negative health consequences, such as GI ulceration and intestinal inflammation. Carrageenan is banned for use in formula in the EU.

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.

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.

There is increasing interest in the roles played by magnesium, phosphate and calcium in the development and enhancement of physical performance by athletes and physically active individuals. This interest is sparked by knowledge that magnesium and phosphate are needed for energy production by cells, and calcium plays a key role in maintenance of bone mass and possible prevention of injuries. Support for generalized magnesium supplementation is low unless individuals have decreased cellular magnesium. Acute and chronic supplementation with phosphate compounds does not increase physical work capacity or endurance in humans. Low calcium intake can predispose active individuals to lingering problems with bone stress injuries

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.

Vitamin E

Synonyms: vitamin E acetate, tocopherol acetate, 2H-1-benzopyran-6-ol, various other trade names



Works primarily as a antioxident to protect cells throughout the body.



Vitamin E can be extracted from natural oils (e.g. soybean, cottenseed, corn),leafy green vegetables and some nuts. Also can be synthesized. Humans and mammals are unable to synthesize Vitamin E.

Clinical symptoms of Vitamin E deficiency include neuropathy, fetal death, and myopathy (muscle disease).

Major uses include animal feeds (approx 75% of use), as a food supplement, as an antioxidant, and in pharmaceutical formulations



Source: Foodfacts

The term “vitamin E” refers to a family of eight related, lipid-soluble, antioxidant compounds widely distributed in plants. The tocopherol and tocotrienol subfamilies are each composed of alpha, beta, gamma, and delta vitamers having unique biological effects. Different ratios of these compounds are found in anatomically different parts of a plant. For example, the green parts of a plant contain mostly alpha-tocopherol and the seed germ and bran contain mostly tocotrienols. Along with other nutrients tocopherols and tocotrienols are concentrated in the bran layers of the rye grain, and are only present at low levels in the flour endosperm. Tocopherols are also present in algae, mint teas, and other food stuff.87-93



When this family of compounds was first discovered and determined to be essential for health, a standardized test for its activity was devised for which the members of the family were rated for their biological activity. In one test, alpha tocopherol scored highest and was rated 100% with all others having lower ratings. In accordance with this rating, alpha-tocopherol was deemed to be the essential compound and was called vitamin E. One International Unit (IU) of vitamin E activity is the activity under this rating of one mg of the plant-derived form of alpha-tocopherol.94



Since the original rating method was established, many additional important biological effects of these compounds have been discovered and many nutritional scientists now consider that rating method to be incomplete. For example, by the original rating, gamma-tocopherol was only 10% to 30% as strong as alpha-tocopherol, yet more recent studies have shown it to be essential for maintaining the health of cell membranes, especially if alpha-tocopherol is being supplemented. New studies continue to elucidate the unique benefits of individual members of the vitamin E family. For these and other reasons, the original definition of vitamin E has been enhanced to include all eight family members and the related compounds that convert to them in the body.94



Vitamin E compounds are usually produced and made available in esterified form as alpha-tocopheryl acetate or alpha-tocopheryl succinate. Neither of these forms has any antioxidant activity until converted to alpha-tocopherol in the body, but they are much more stable with respect to storage time and temperature than the unesterified forms. Moreover, while the acetate form is rapidly activated within the body, activation of the succinate form is slower. The succinate form appears to access and benefit areas of the tissues that are unavailable to the other forms. For this reason, there is a tendency to regard alpha-tocopherol succinate as a distinctly different and beneficial compound. Alpha-tocopherol succinate appears to have longer half-life in the body, and does not interfere with vitamin A or K absorption.95-98



Serious vitamin takers prefer cold-water dispersible dry powder vitamin E supplements in the form of alpha-tocopheryl succinate or acetate because the cold-water dispersible forms are efficiently absorbed even when taken on an empty stomach or with a low-fat meal. The non-cold water dispersible (oil) forms of vitamin E may be poorly absorbed unless taken with several grams of fats or oils.



Cold-water dispersible vitamin E is more efficiently absorbed than some other forms. Both “acetate” and “succinate” vitamin E can come from natural sources. The importance to the consumer is how well the vitamin E absorbs into the bloodstream. Cold-water dispersible vitamin E, whether in a succinate or acetate form, always comes in a white dry powder, while non-cold water dispersible natural and synthetic acetate forms of vitamin E are always in a thick brown oil.



Source: http://www.lef.org/newshop/items/item00063.html

Vitamin B3



Also called Niacin, Nicotinic Acid, Niacinimide, Nicotinic.



Acts as a co-enzyme in the release of energy from carbohydrates. Also needed to help breakdown fats and proteins. Aids in formation of red blood cells.

Since the 1950's doctors have used nicotinic acid to treat high cholesterol. Niacin is the only drug available that both substantially lowers the "bad" lipids (LDL), and increases the "good"(HDL) cholesterol. The reason this vitamin is not in the forefront of cholesterol therapy is because many people treated with high doses of niacin experience bothersome side effects such as; facial flushing, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea and much more serious, liver damage.



Milk, eggs, meats (especially liver), chicken, fish, and most other protein-rich foods contain a significant amout of niacin. Also in smaller amounts in coffee and tea.



Dificiency is very rare in modern countries. Symptoms include: Pellagra (diarrhea, dermatitis, and dementia) Less severe symptoms of deficiency include irritability, loss of appetite, weekness and swollen tongue.

Ferric phosphate (ferric orthophosphate, iron (III) phosphate,

is an odorless, yellowish-white to buff-colored powder and contains from one

to four molecules of water of hydration. It is prepared by reaction of

sodium phosphate with ferric chloride or ferric citrate.

Pantothenic acid, also called vitamin B5 (a B vitamin), is a water-soluble vitamin required to sustain life (essential nutrient). Pantothenic acid is needed to form coenzyme-A (CoA), and is critical in the metabolism and synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. In chemical structure, it is the amide between D-pantoate and beta-alanine. Its name is derived from the Greek pantothen (pa?t??e?) meaning "from everywhere" and small quantities of pantothenic acid are found in nearly every food, with high amounts in whole-grain cereals, legumes, eggs, meat, and royal jelly. It is commonly found as its alcohol analog, the provitamin panthenol, and as calcium pantothenate.

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'.

a colorless crystalline growth vitamin of the vitamin B complex found especially in yeast, liver, and egg yolk; no side effects are known.



One of the B-vitamins that functions as a co-enzyme in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. The biotin co-enzyme also serves in crucial roles in the breakdown of amino acids. Deficiency of the vitamin can result in hair loss and dermatitis, thus it is found as a popular ingredient in hair care products.

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.

Pyridoxine Hydrochloride

Activated vitamin B-6 is extensively involved in the metabolism of amino acids. efficiently from pyridoxine in the liver. Ex cessive protein intake, alcohol or contraceptive use also indicates a greater need for vitamin B-6. It also plays a crucial role in the multiplication of cells.



Source: Vitamin & Mineral Safety 2nd edition - by John N. Hathcock PHD

Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, is required to complete several reactions in the energy cycle. Reddening of the lips with cracks at the corners of the mouth, inflammation of the tongue, and a greasy, scaly inflammation of the skin are common symptoms of deficiency.Riboflavin (B2)- Classic riboflavin deficiency involves the lips, tongue, eyes, skin and nervous system. Vision changes, cheliosis (tiny lesions in the mouth or cracks in the corners of the mouth) tongue inflammation and discomfort eating or swallowing.



Riboflavin?s role in the body involves the metabolism of fats and proteins. Enzymes influenced by riboflavin are absolutely necessary to transport oxygen to the cells. A decrease in this vitamin can result in fatigue. New research indicates that migraine headache sufferers may benefit by riboflavin. 400mgs.day have been shown to lessen the incidence of migraines.



Required for red blood cell formation, antibody production, cell respiration and growth. Important for good muscle tone. Involved in metabolism of protein, protein fats, and carbohydrates. Necessary for good vision, skin, hair and nails.

Vitamin B1, or thiamine, helps the body convert carbohydrates into energy and helps in the metabolism of proteins and fats. Vitamin B1 deficiency affects the functioning of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and peripheral nervous systems. Beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (often seen in alcoholics) are the primary diseases related to thiamine deficiency. General symptoms of beriberi include loss of appetite and overall lassitude, digestive irregularities, and a feeling of numbness and weakness in the limbs and extremities.

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.

Calciferol, Calcipotriol, Cholecalciferol, Irradiated Erogcalciferol



A vitamin produced by the body when exposed to ultraviolet light or obtained from dietary sources. Vitamin D3 is a hormone that has an important role in calcium and phosphorus metabolism and for the assimilation of Vitamin A. It may also has a strong immune enhancing effect. Technically, vitamin D3 is not a vitamin because the body can produce it



Deficiency: People need vitamin D3 to treat menopausal systems, to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and as replacement therapy in other conditions of inadequate estrogen production.

Chromium is a trace element that has been shown to play a role in the bodys use of foods. A trace element is a substance that is required by the body in very small amounts for proper growth and functioning. In the United States, chromium deficiency is believed to be rare, however actual chromium stores in the body are hard to measure. Neither blood levels nor urine levels accurately reflect the total amount of chromium in the body. Elderly persons, individuals with extremely poor diets or diets very high in refined sugars, pregnant or breast-feeding women, individuals under chronically stressful conditions, and those who depend on total parental nutrition (feeding through an intravenous line) may be low in chromium. Exercise and increasing age may also reduce body stores of chromium.

Potassium iodide, also known as KI, is a form of iodine. Potassium iodide has been determined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be a safe and effective method to block exposure to one product of a nuclear release - radioactive iodine. Radioactive iodine, either inhaled or ingested through contaminated food or milk, can increase a person's risk of developing thyroid cancer.



The thyroid functions to absorb and store iodine, but it can hold only so much, and will just as readily absorb non-radioactive potassium iodide as radioactive iodine. Because of this, one dose of potassium iodide, which is not harmful to the thyroid, works by filling the gland so it cannot take up any radioactive iodine.

Synonyms: Molybdic acid, disodium salt; Disodium molybdate; Sodium molybdate(VI); Molybdate (MoO42-), disodium, (T-4)-; Molybdic acid (H2MoO4), disodium salt (8CI); Sodium molybdate

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 - Vitamin K helps synthesize at least six (out of 12) of the proteins involved in blood clotting, without Vitamin K, your bleeding would not clot and you would very likely bleed to death.



Vitamin K is found in so many foods that deficiency is rare in healthy people. Newborns are the exceptions, they are born with very little vitamin K from their mother. To control the risk of uncontrolled bleeding, most newborns get a one-time injection or oral dose of vitamin K before they leave the hospital.

Large doses of aspirin, and high doses of vitamin A or E may block K absorption.



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.

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.)

Supplementation, along with proper diet and exercise, may help reduce body fat and increase lean body mass in some moderately obese people. It is essential for carbohydrate (sugar), fat protein metabolism. Chromium is an essential element that helps insulin work more effectively and improves glucose tolerance in some individuals.



Source: GNC.com

Magnesium sulfate (or magnesium sulphate) is a chemical compound containing magnesium, sulfur and oxygen, with the formula MgSO4. In its hydrated form the pH is 6.0 (5.5 to 6.5). It is often encountered as the heptahydrate, MgSO4·7H2O, commonly called Epsom salt. Anhydrous magnesium sulfate is used as a drying agent. Since the anhydrous form is hygroscopic (readily absorbs water from the air) and is therefore difficult to weigh accurately, the hydrate is often preferred when preparing solutions, for example in medical preparations. Epsom salt has been traditionally used as a component of bath salts.



Oral magnesium sulfate, or magnesium hydroxide, is commonly used as a saline laxative. Epsom salt is also available in a gel form for topical application in treating aches and pains.