Buzzwords in the Vitamin World

Talk about overwhelming! New vitamin buzzwords are constantly emerging, but what do they all mean and how do they play a role in our everyday lives?

Omega 3

Omega 3 is found in fish oils and can be consumed by eating tuna, salmon, herring, trout and anchovies. But for those not so keen on fish, it can be taken in supplement form. Over 25,000 international scientific studies confirm that long-term consumption of Omega-3 fish oils provides benefits to the heart, joints, and skin health as well as memory. In more recent studies, it has been proven that Omega 3 fish oils can even improve emotional well-being.

Riboflavin

Riboflavin, Vitamin G or Vitamin B2, is a member of the B-complex family. Small quantities of this water soluble vitamin are in almost every type of plant and animal tissue. Vitamin B2 is accountable for several important bodily functions including helping with the metabolisation process of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 is the most common occurring form of coenzyme Q, needed by and found in every cell in the human body. Its main purpose is to ensure the production of adequate energy within the cell mitochondria, but coenzyme Q10 is also a powerful anti-oxidant, and is particularly significant because it is the only fat-soluble anti-oxidant which can be manufactured within the body. Like other fat-soluble anti-oxidants, such as vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 is vital for the protection of fatty structures within cells from the damage and deterioration which may be caused by oxidative reactions and free radical activity.

Free Radicals

Free radicals are molecules with electrons that do not have a “pair”, so they are looking for oxygen atoms to join with. There are oxygen atoms in the cell membranes that attract these free radicals. The free radical particles steal the oxygen atoms from our cells and this allows them to multiply and damage our cells causing them to mutate in some cases. They are simply another factor deteriorating our bodies because of the modern lifestyle and environment that we live in. Free radicals in our body come from outside sources like toxins and pollutants we are exposed to, as well as from the cellular processes in our body that can cause the creation of the said molecules. Antioxidants are a popular ingredient in vitamin formulas because they prevent free radical damage to the cells in the body.

Beta Carotene

Beta Carotene, as an anti-oxidant, assists the cardiovascular system. After the body transforms Beta carotene to Vitamin A, it helps maintain the health of the skin, immune system and eyes. Beta carotene both lowers cholesterol and helps reduce arterial hardening. It may also benefit sufferers of cataracts, cancer, AIDS, high blood pressure, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, headaches and asthma brought on by exercise.

Natural Vitamins

Natural vitamins are vitamins extracted from natural ingredients rather than synthetic ones. Natural vitamins are thought to be better absorbed, and are often used in better quality supplements.

Organic Minerals

This is a term that means that the mineral has been bonded to plant or animal based ingredients. Organic minerals are more bioavailable than inorganic minerals, which means that the body digests and absorbs them better. Look out for ingredients with the words “amino acid chelate” listed after the mineral.