Vitamins and Minerals
Does Microwaving Destroy Nutrients?
Microwaves get a fair amount of criticism when it comes to safe, healthy and nutritious food preparation. There is an endless barrage of media headlines. It has been said that they zap nutrients, leak chemicals and emit deadly rays. Is any of it really true?
(Date published: 5/05/2014)
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements – Do we need to be them?
This article investigates the need for vitamin and mineral supplements in our diets.
(Date published: 3/09/2012)
Selenium for Survival
A recent article in Health Reader sparked an interesting discussion surrounding the importance of adequate selenium in the diet.
(Date published: 8/08/2011 3:03:00 PM)
Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid
Vitamin C is easy to obtain from fresh fruit and vegetables. Many people supplement too much.
(Date published: 23/05/2011)
Folate and Health - Your Questions and Our Answers
Folate is now being associated with a wide range of health problems such as heart disease, bowel cancer, Neutral Tube Defects, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Diabetes. Here we answer some common folate questions
(Date published: 20/12/2010)
Iron
Iron is responsible for transporting oxygen around the body. Insufficient iron in the diet will lead to tiredness, lethargy and anaemia.
(Date published: 20/12/2010)
Should We Take Vitamin and Mineral Supplement?
Many people take multivitamins or a number of different supplements on a daily basis. Often they are in doses that are not needed or recommended. Do we need to take these supplements, or can we get the nutrients we need from diet? Read the article to see.
(Date published: 20/12/2010)
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that cannot be made by our bodies although bacteria in our gut can probably make about half our needs. As a result intake from food need only supply about half our requirement. The USA standard recommends adults consume 70 to 140mcq a day or about 2mcq per kg of body weight. That means that larger people can have more. Babies should have 10 to 20mcq and children and adolescents about 15 to 100mcq.
(Date published: 7/03/2005 12:28:00 PM)
Folate: The vital vitamin
Folate (Folacin or folic acid) is a very important vitamin. Low levels are now being associated with a wide range of health problems such as heart disease, bowel cancer, neural tube defects and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
(Date published: 16/07/2004)
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is perceived to not have any deficiency problems. This is because the typical Australian lifestyle provides ample Vitamin D concentrations. It is found in food, but can also be made in our bodies after exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun.
(Date published: 10/10/2002)
Zinc deficiency
Zinc is vital for health and growth and is an essential mineral in the body. It is found in high concentrations and has important functions in the prostate gland, sperm and the eye.
(Date published: 25/08/2002)
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that is water-soluble but can be stored in the liver. A lack of B12 leads to a type of anaemia and if severe, neurological damage.
(Date published: 2/05/2002)
Best Sources of Calcium From Diet and Supplements
Diet is the most efficient way of increasing your calcium intake. However supplements do have a place for those at risk of osteoporois, particularly post menopausal women.
(Date published: 9/08/2000)
Are you Anaemic?
Young women and vegetarians may find that they are tired and lack energy. This could be caused by inadequate iron rich foods leading to anaemia. Teenagers often exclude red meat wrongly believe it is fattening. It is important to include foods that are good sources of iron to avoid deficiency.
(Date published: 1/03/2000)
Anaemia : Folate Anaemia
A deficiency of folate may result in megaloblastic anaemia and other blood disorders. The deficiency can be in combination with B12 or iron and should not be treated without checking other nutrient levels.