Vitamin C is vital for the immune system, connective tissue, heart and blood vessel health, among many other important roles. Humans cannot produce "ascorbate" or "vitamin C" in our livers like other mammals do. It's a genetic condition known as hypoascorbemia. Animals that produce vitamin C internally, do so at an equivalent rate for humans, from 2000 to 12000 mg every day, depending on their weight. It is usually more effective to take regular vitamin C (not timed-released) in divided doses throughout the day, preferably with meals. It is mildly acidic and can actually aid with digestion. T ..read more

Folate and folic acid are different forms of vitamin B9. Folate is the naturally occurring form, while folic acid is the synthetic form. B9 is a water-soluble vitamin that is part of the B vitamin family. Vitamin B9 is essential for human growth and development, encourages normal nerve and brain function, and may help reduce blood-levels of homocysteine (an amino acid implicated in increased risk of heart disease and stroke). Folic acid or folate may also help protect against cancers of the lung, colon, and cervix, and may help slow memory decline associated with aging. Pregnant women have an ..read more

Vitamin B12, otherwise known as cobalamin, is an essential water-soluble vitamin that is commonly found in a variety of foods such as fish, shellfish, meat, eggs, and dairy products. B12 is bound to the protein in food and our stomach acid releases it during digestion. Therefore, low stomach acid can play a role in a B12 deficiency. Once B12 is released from the protein, it combines with a substance called intrinsic factor (IF) before it is absorbed into the bloodstream. Inability to absorb vitamin B12 from the intestinal tract can cause a type of anemia called pernicious anemia because if th ..read more

Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, helps the body turn food into energy. Since B vitamins are water soluble, the body can easily run out of B6, so it is important to consume foods that contain it. Some of the best sources of B6 include brewer's yeast, wheat bran, wheat germ, liver, kidney, heart, cantaloupe, cabbage, milk, eggs, beef, green leafy vegetables, whole grains. Vitamin B6 controls levels of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood, which may be key to lowering susceptibility to heart disease and stroke. It is also used to make several neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitt ..read more

Vitamin B5, also called pantothenic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. It is an essential nutrient, meaning it is required from our diets because our bodies cannot make it. It is required to synthesize coenzyme-A (CoA) which is needed for energy metabolism, as well as to synthesize and metabolize proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Small quantities of pantothenic acid are found in nearly every food, but are most predominant in meat, eggs, whole grains, wheat germ, bran, kidney, liver, heart, green vegetables, brewer's yeast, nuts, chicken, legumes, salmon, mushrooms, elderberries, and oranges ..read more

Niacin (nicotinic acid or vitamin B3) is a water soluble vitamin and is used by your body to turn food into energy. Niacin also helps keep your nervous system, digestive system, skin, hair and eyes healthy. Niacinamide can be made from niacin in the body. Niacin is converted to niacinamide when it is taken in amounts greater than what is needed by the body. Niacinamide has no beneficial effects on fats and should not be used for treating high cholesterol or high fat levels in the blood. It is often used to increase your HDL cholesterol or correct a vitamin deficiency. Niacin can raise HDL cho ..read more

Vitamin B2 is also referred to as riboflavin. It is a water-soluble vitamin that is flushed out of the body daily, so it must be restored each day. The best way to get this vitamin is by eating foods that are rich in riboflavin such as eggs, nuts, dairy products, meats, broccoli, brewer's yeast, Brussel sprouts, wheat germ, wild rice, mushrooms, soybeans, green leafy vegetables and whole grain and enriched cereals and bread. Riboflavin is a vitamin that is needed for overall good health. It helps the body break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats to produce energy, and it allows oxygen to be ..read more

Vitamin B1 is also referred to as thiamine. It is found in many foods including yeast, grains, beans, nuts, and meat. It is often used in combination with other B vitamins. Vitamin B complexes generally include vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin/niacinamide), vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B12 (cyanocobolamine), and folic acid. Various products contain all the B vitamins, and some may include biotin, para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), choline bitartrate, and inositol.Thiamine is used for digestive problems including poor appetite, ul ..read more

There are two dietary forms of vitamin A, retinol and beta carotene. Retinol is fat soluble and is found in animal products, such as fish liver oils, liver, eggs, butter, cheese and milk. Beta carotene is a water-soluble “precursor” to vitamin A and is found in plant foods such as apricots, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, dandelion greens, collards, Swiss chard, oat flakes, cantaloupe and other green and yellow fruits and vegetables. Beta carotene has antioxidant properties above and beyond its ability to provide vitamin A.Diabetics and those with low thyroid function may have diffi ..read more

By Amanda Åkesson -Medical review by Dr. Andreas Eenfeldt, MD in Climate change, Environment / Animal ProtectionOur health is directly affected and dependent upon the health of our planet. That is why it is so important to support responsible and restorative practices. Cows can have a positive impact on the environment. A new study shows they can help mitigate climate change, restore soil quality and improve biodiversity if we use a sustainable grazing method called "adaptive multi-paddock" grazing, or AMP. AMP mimics the natural behavior of migratory, wild-grazing herds. It is a certain type ..read more