Vitamin A

Is a fat soluble vitamin also known as Retinol or Retinal. Betacarotene is a precursor for this vitamin. It is important to maintain the health of the eyes and skin; for growth and tissue health, supports the immune system and the mucous membranes. Deficiency can result in night blindness, dry skin, infections and dandruff. Some natural sources are from fish oils, animal liver, egg yolk and butter.

Vitamin B1

Is a water soluble vitamin also known as Thiamine. It is important for a healthy nervous system, helps with irritability and fatigue, aids digestion, is vital for fat, protein and carbohydrate processing and also to maintain heart health. Deficiency can result in beri-beri, fatigue, confusion, constipation, muscle tenderness and insomnia, Some natural sources are from wheat germ, brown rice, pork, liver, brazil nuts, almonds, peanuts, brewers yeast, legumes and sunflower seeds.

Vitamin B2

Is a water soluble vitamin also known as Riboflavin. It is important for skin, eye and hair health, aids digestion, is necessary for energy production and normal cell growth and activates vitamin B6 and folic acid. Deficiency can lead to soreness and redness of the tongue, eye fatigue, dermatitis, hair loss and low vitality. Some natural sources are from brewer's yeast, mushrooms, wheat germ, liver, yoghurt, millet, avocado, eggs, sardines, split peas and almonds.

Vitamin B3

Is a water soluble vitamin also known as Niacin or Niacinamide. It is important for carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism, releasing energy from food, for healthy skin, nerve support and maintaining hydrochloric acid production. Deficiency can result in pellagra, thickening and dryness of the skin, low stomach acidity, burning mouth and insomnia. Some natural sources are from brewer's yeast, cod, mackerel, brown rice, beef, almonds, chicken, peanuts, sunflower seeds and peas.

Vitamin B5

Is a water soluble vitamin also known as Pantothenic Acid. It is important to maintain adrenal function and the nervous system, it may also ease stiffness in arthritis, helps to relieve fatigue and stimulates gut peristalsis.. Deficiency can result in fatigue, abdominal cramps, skin problems, burning feet and stress. Some natural sources are from brewer's yeast, liver, wheat germ, brown rice, split peas, chicken, mushrooms, peanuts, broccoli, eggs.

Vitamin B6

Is a water soluble vitamin also known as Pyridoxine. It is important to maintain the nervous system and immune function; is helpful for premenstrual symptoms, helps with morning sickness and fluid retention and supports carbohydrate metabolism. Deficiency can result in muscle weakness, irritability, fatigue, poor immunity, acne and nausea. Some natural sources are from liver, lamb, beef, clams, egg yolk, mackerel, sardines, trout, tuna, salmon, milk, seaweed and brewer's yeast.

Vitamin B12

Is a water soluble vitamin also known as cyanocobalamin. It is vital for healthy red blood cell production, cardiovascular and nervous systems and can improve memory.
Deficiency can lead to pernicious anaemia, mood changes, numbness, irritability and fatigue. Vegetarians may be deficient in B12. Some natural sources are from liver, lamb, beef, clams, egg yolk, makerel, sardines, trot, tuna, salmon, milk, seaweed and brewer's yeast.

Betacarotene

Is a fat soluble precursor to vitamin A and part of the carotenoid family. It is an important antioxidant, important for healthy eyes, immune system, protects the skin and accelerates wound healing. Deficiency can lead to infections, poor eye health and poor antioxidant status. Some natural souces are from carrots, sweet potato, red capsicum, paw-paws, mangos, spinach, pumpkin, broccoli, parsley and apricots.

Biotin

Is a water soluble vitamin also known as Vitamin B7 or Vitamin H. It is important for Healthy hair, skin and nails, digestive function, cell growth, metabolism of fat, protein and carbohydrate. Deficiency can lead to an fatigue, dry flaky skin, hair loss, inflamed eyes and muscle weakness. Some natural sources are from brewer's yeast, liver, barley, oatmeal, egg yolk, soybeans, split peas, brown rice, mushrooms and pecans.

Vitamin C

Is a water soluble vitamin also known as ascorbic acid. It is important for the formation of collagen and connective tissue, as an antioxidant, immune system support, improves iron absorption and assists in wound healing. Deficiency can lead to scurvy, infections, easy bruising, bleeding gums and joint pain. Some natural sources are from guavas, blackcurrants, red capsicum, strawberries, oranges, broccoli, paw-paws, mangos, carrots and kiwi fruit.

Vitamin D

Is a fat soluble vitamin also known as cholecalciferol. It is important for strong, healthy bones and teeth, aids calcium absorption; regulates the body's use of calcium and phosphorus and helps to prevent rickets. Deficiency can result in the softening of bones and teeth, rickets, poor growth and muscle spasms. Some natural sources are from cod liver oil, halibut liver oil, salmon, tuna, liver, egg yolk, butter, cheese and cream.

Vitamin E

Is a fat soluble vitamin also known as tocopherol. It is important for healthy arteries, heart and tissue function, circulation, reduction of scar tissue, antioxidant and immune function support. Deficiency can result in a decline in red cell count, fatty deposits, muscle wasting and infections. Some natural sources are from wheat germ oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, peanuts, eggs and avocado.

Folic acid (see also Folinic acid below)

Is a water soluble co factor also known as folate and Folacin. It helps to reduce birth defects such as spina bifida and other neural tube defects if taken during pregnancy, it promotes good cardiovascular health and assists to normalise homocysteine levels, which at high levels can lead to cardiovascular disease. Deficiency can lead to anaemia, heart palpitations, fatigue, poor memory and cracked lips. Some natural sources are from brewer's yeast, wheat germ, wheat bran, rye, kidney beans, chic peas, lentils, liver, spinach, broccoli and cabbage.

Folinic acid

Folinic acid, also known as 5-formyl tetrahydrofolate, is one active form in a group of vitamins known as folates. In contrast to folic acid, a synthetic form of folate, folinic acid is one of the forms of folate found naturally in foods. Folate deficiency is believed to be the most common vitamin deficiency in the world due to food processing, food selection, and intestinal disorders. In the body folinic acid may be converted into any of the other active forms of folate. Folate coenzymes are responsible for the following important metabolic functions:
1) Formation of purines and pyrimidines which, in turn, are needed for synthesis of the nucleic acids DNA and RNA. This is especially important during fetal development in the first trimester in preventing birth defects, such as neural tube defects,
2) Formation of heme, the iron-containing protein in hemoglobin,
3) Interconversion of the 3-carbon amino acid serine from the 2-carbon amino acid glycine,
4) Formation of the amino acids tyrosine from phenylalanine and glutamic acid from histidine,
5) Formation of the amino acid methionine from homocysteine (Vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin also is needed for this conversion). Elevated levels of homocysteine have been implicated in a wide range of health disorders including atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and depression. In the reconversion of homocysteine to methionine the body uses the methionine to make the important amino acid s-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) which is known to be helpful in cases of depression,
6) Synthesis of choline from ethanolamine,
7) Formation and maturation of red and white blood cells, and
8) Conversion of nicotinamide to N'-methylnicotinamide. Other conditions than those mentioned above possibly benefiting from folinic acid supplementation include: AIDS/HIV, celiac disease, cervical displasia, cleft palate, colon cancer, Crohn's disease, diarrhea, gout, high cholesterol, increased fracture of chromosomes, malabsorption and gastrointestinal inflammation, megaloblastic anemia, restless leg syndrome, postpartum depression, sprue, ulcerative colitis, and vitiligo.
Numerous drugs are known to inhibit the body's ability to utilize folate, including: 1) aspirin,
2) cholesterol lowering drugs,
3) oral birth control pills,
4) antacids, and
5) methotrexate when used for rheumatoid arthritis. When taking these drugs (and many others) it is recommended that you take 800 mcg daily of folate, preferably as folinic acid. When taking folate it is recommended that you take adequate amounts of Vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin. Please note that folate supplementation may interfere with anticonvulsant drugs.

Vitamin K

Is a fat soluble vitamin also known as Phytomenadione. It is required for proper bone formation, helps with the transportation of calcium and is important for blood clotting.. Deficiency can lead to nose blleds, birth defects, bone abnormalities, hemorrhagic disorders and increased propensity for bruising. Some important sources are parsley, brussels sprouts, green tea, liver, spinach, cabbage, tomatoes, string beans, lettuce and eggs.