ABCs of Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A: Necessary for growth and repair of body tissues. Helps maintain smooth, soft disease-free skin. Helps prevent night-blindness and weak eyesight.

B-1 (Thiamin): Plays a key role in the body's metabolic cycle for generating energy. Supports the digestion of carbohydrates. Essential for the normal functioning of the nervous system, muscles and heart.

B-2 (Riboflavin): Necessary for carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Supports the formation of antibodies and red blood cells.

B-6 (Pyridoxine): Crucial for the synthesis and breakdown of amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Supports the formation of antibodies.

B-12 (Cyanocobalamin): Supports the formation and regeneration of red blood cells, thus helping prevent anemia. Necessary for carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism.

B-3 (Niacin): Improves circulation and reduces the cholesterol level in the blood. Helps metabolize protein, sugar and fat. Helps reduce high blood pressure.

Vitamin C: Essential for healthy teeth, gums and bones. Builds resistance to infection and helps in the prevention and treatment of the common cold. It is one of the major antioxidant nutrients. Ability to neutralize toxic compounds such as nitrosamines and heavy metals.

Vitamin D: Improves absorption and utilization of calcium required for bone and teeth formation. Maintains a stable nervous system and supports cardiac function.

Vitamin E: Prevents and dissolves blood clots which may lead to strokes and heart attacks. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that reduces oxidation in a wide variety of tissues.

Iron: Combines with protein and copper in making hemoglobin. Hemoglobin transports oxygen in the blood from the lungs to the tissues which need oxygen to maintain basic life functions. Builds up the quality of the blood and increases resistance to stress and disease.

Zinc: A nutrient necessary for protein synthesis. Vital for the development of the reproductive organs, prostate functions and male hormone activity and stability of the blood stream.

Chromium: Works with insulin in the metabolism of sugar and stabilizes blood sugar levels.

Selenium: Acts as an antioxidant for the maintenance of good health. A factor in the maintenance of healthy body cells and tissues. Helps to retard the aging and hardening of tissues through oxidation.

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