Calcium, a mineral vital to the human body, Calcium is necessary for many bodily functions, such as muscle contraction, and proper heart function.

Copper, a trace element that is essential for the human body. Copper is needed to absorb and utilize iron in the body. Copper is a part of enzymes, essentially proteins that assist biochemical reactions in cells.

Iodine, a necessary element used by the body to make the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine. These Thyroid hormones are needed to maintain a healthy metabolic rate and cellular metabolism.

Iron is vital in human nutrition as the adult human body contains 3-4 grams of iron. Haem-iron and non-haem iron are the two types of iron. Foods rich in haem-iron include meat, liver, fish, and poultry. Foods that are high in non-haem iron are those of vegetable origin, like green leafy vegetables, cereals, legumes, oilseeds, nuts, dry fruits and jiggery. Iron is vital for numerous body functions, including hemoglobin formation, brain development and function, muscle activity, regulation of body temperature and catecholamine. Deficiency of iron affects immune system, reduces the number of T-cells and production of antibodies. Iron is also necessary for binding oxygen to body cells as its main function is oxygen transport and cell respiration. It works as an anti-cancer agent. Iron increases energy level of the body, improving physical performance. It prevents insomnia.

Potassium, a mineral that is quite common in our food. Potassium is needed for proper muscle growth, nervous system and brain function and to help balance the PH of our bodies.

Riboflavin, also called Vitamin B2, is naturally manufactured by the body. Riboflavin is needed for the proper use of oxygen and amino acids, carbohydrates and fatty acids. Riboflavin is also utilized by Vitamin B6 in the body and is used to manufacture niacin. Riboflavin is especially needed when eating large amounts of protein.

Sodium is the element that has the atomic number 11 in the periodic table and is commonly known as the main component in the table salt, together with chloride. Interestingly enough, it is probably the one dietary component which does require limitation rather than supplementation, since that average daily nutritional requirement is around half a gram per day. This most popular food seasoning, salt, is providing the most common source of sodium and chloride in human diets, but is generally overused and may cause health problems, such as high blood pressure, if consumed overly generously. The suggested dose of table salt, or rather the upper limit portion, would be somewhat less than 6 gram per day, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, referenced by FDA. In the UK this limit is set at four grams per day.

Thiamine is a water-soluble vitamin with no known toxic effects if taken with other members of the vitamin B complex. Thiamine is essential to a strong appetite and to enable the body to use sugars and other carbohydrates.

Vitamin A is needed by the retina of the eye in the form of a specific metabolite(the light-absorbing molecule retinal). This molecule is absolutely necessary for both scotopic and color vision. It also palys an important role in the health or our skin, bone metabolism, immune function. It is also commercially produced and administered as esters such as retinyl acetate commonly called Vitamin A acetate. Its defeciency can cause blindness. Other problems include impaired immunity, hypokeratosis (white lumps at hair follicles), keratosis pilaris and squamous metaplasia of the epithelium lining the upper respiratory passages and urinary bladder to a keratinized epithelium.

Vitamin B12 is required for the normal functioning and development of the nervous system, blood cells and brain. It’s a water soluble vitamin which is used to elevate mood, improve energy levels and concentration, to boost immune system and in sleeping disorders. Severe deficiency of Vitamin B12 can lead to pernicious anemia. It is also used for lowering high homocysteine levels which may contribute to heart disease, asthma, AIDS, to prevent cervical and other cancers, memory loss, osteoporosis, allergies and skin infections. It also helps to prevent atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and kidney and gum disease. Vitamin B12 is added in almost all multi-vitamin B complex supplements. Deficiency of Vitamin B12 in infants can lead to megaloblastic anemia, delayed developments and movement disorders. Studies have proved that when used in combination with folic acid, it can prevent heart diseases.

Vitamin B6- There are three traditionally considered forms of vitamin B6: pyridoxal (PL), pyridoxine (PN), pyridoxamine (PM). The phosphate ester (PLP) has a leading role in metabolism of human body. It is obtained from the diet since humans cannot manufacture it. PLP is crucial in over 100 enzymes that enable important chemical reactions in the human body. In the brain, the manufacture of neurotransmitters like serotonin from tryptophan is made possible by PLP. PLP is also a coenzyme in the production of the iron coating component of hemoglobin called heme. Signs of vitamin B6 deficiency include irritability, depression and confusion, inflammation of the tongue, sores or ulcers of the mouth and the skin at the corner of the mouth.

Vitamin C is an obvious essential nutrient and a deficiency of this will cause scurvy. It is also an antioxidant and acts as an electron donor for eight different enzymes.

Vitamin E consists of eight related vitamins that are all fat soluble and have antioxidant properties. The alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopherols with the corresponding tocotrienols all belong to the Vitamin E group, whereby the alpha-tocopherol has been found to be the most bioavailable form. Vitamin E is commonly found in food sources like eggs, milk, nuts, seeds, vegetable oil like olive oil, wholegrain foods, wheat germ, red palm oil, but also in asparagus and avocado fruits. While Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, several other properties have been noted as well, such as prevention of damage to neurons, cholesterol reduction and cancer prevention. Vitamin E has been also identified as a vital signaling molecule, whereby the primary necessity of Vitamin E to human survival is still not clear.

Zinc, a mineral needed for cell division and repair as well as proper functioning of the immune system. Zinc is also an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body.