Folate – the naturally occurring vitamin B9 – is often confused with folic acid.  Folic acid is a synthetically derived molecule created in a German laboratory in the 1940s and does not occur naturally in food.  Needless to say, folate metabolizes faster in the body and any excess is excreted through the urine whereas folic acid can accumulate in the blood and may adversely affect immune cell function.  Nature knows best when it comes to nutrition!  Folate is probably the vitamin whose essential role in pregnancy is most widely known.  It is necessary for the production of new DNA which is needed for the production of new cells – the growing life within the womb engages in constant cell division and the mother must expand her blood supply with the production of new red blood cells – these activities demand a generous supply of folate. 

Folate works to convert the amino acid homocysteine into methionine - a deficiency allows homocysteine levels to accumulate in the body.  High levels of homocysteine are associated with heart disease and stroke and can block blood and other nutrients from reaching the brain, interfering with the production of the feel good hormones serotonin and dopamine which regulate mood.  Within the body, folate is an activator – it has an influence on “natural killer” cells of the immune system which are in charge of fighting infections and malignant cells.  Romaine lettuce, spinach and asparagus are especially high in folate; other good sources include egg yolks, legumes and lentils.

Folate contributes to:

• maternal tissue growth during pregnancy
• normal amino acid synthesis
• normal blood formation
• normal homocysteine metabolism
• normal psychological function
• the normal function of the immune system
• the reduction of tiredness and fatigue
• Folate has a role in the process of cell division

Vitamin E is an umbrella term for a group of eight fat soluble compounds (tocopherols) that are found in a wide variety of wholefoods.  These compounds, of which alpha-tocopherol is the most biologically active, have a number of functions in the body. 

Vitamin E is an important antioxidant whose primary role in the body is to scavenge free radicals – these are rogue atoms or atomic groups that have lost at least one electron, forcing them to steal electrons from neighbouring molecules in the hope of stabilizing themselves.  Whilst unsurprisingly this can cause havoc in the body, vitamin E has the ability to neutralize these free radicals thus protecting the cells from oxidative stress.  Vitamin E deficiency is rare due to its ability, whilst working in concert with a number of other compounds (including vitamin C), to restore reduced levels of vitamin E in the body.  The richest source of vitamin E is wheat germ, other foods that contain significant amounts include eggs, nuts, sunflower seeds, cold-pressed vegetable oils and avocados.

Vitamin E contributes to:

·         the protection of cells from oxidative stress

·         the regeneration of the reduced form of Vitamin E

Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin which is best known for its role in helping your blood to clot or coagulate properly by helping to form the proteins necessary for your bloods clotting factor.  The K comes from its German name “Koagulations” vitamin. 

There are two types of naturally occurring vitamin K; vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) which is found naturally in plants and vitamin K2 (menaquinone) which is made by the bacteria that line your gastrointestinal tract.  For proper bone growth and maintenance your body uses multiple vitamins, however, vitamin K and vitamin D work in tandem to produce a protein (osteocalcin) necessary for bones, without this protein minerals could not bind together to form the density of the bones.  Fermented foods, such as natto, typically have the highest concentrations of vitamin K found in the human diet followed by alfalfa seeds and dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale and cabbage.

Vitamin K contributes to:

·         normal blood clotting

·         the maintenance of normal bones

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, plays an essential role in human life and is the most versatile of all the B vitamins!  Working closely with the other B vitamins, vitamin B6 contributes to numerous functions in the body.  It plays an important role in refurbishing the immune system to the required functional level, this potential health benefit appears to be associated with its role in the metabolism of the amino acid tryptophan.  Also referred to as the “mood vitamin”, B6 is needed for proper brain development and function, preventing mental fatigue and helping the body make the feel good hormones serotonin and norepinephrine that relax and lift your spirits, along with melatonin, the hormone which regulates the body clock. 

Vitamin B6 is functional in working with a number of enzymatic systems to make these enzymes work in the desired manner, this association contributes to the proper functioning of the nervous system.  It is also involved at several steps in the metabolism of carbohydrates, in particular the enzyme that pulls carbohydrates out of storage in the cell - in the form of a molecule called glycogen – which requires vitamin B6 for its activity and it metabolises a number of other nutrients to extract energy.  Vitamin B6 is a key factor in the manufacture of haemoglobin – the oxygen carrying component of red blood cells – and has a role in preventing heart disease.  Without enough B6 a compound called homocysteine builds up in the body which can damage blood vessel linings, setting the stage for plaque build-up when the body tries to heal the damage.  Vitamin B6 prevents this build-up thereby reducing the risk of heart attack.  The availability of this important vitamin is highest in foods like spirulina, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, green beans, walnuts and wheat germ.

Vitamin B6 contributes to:

·         the normal functioning of the nervous system

·         normal homocysteine metabolism

·         normal protein and glycogen metabolism

·         normal psychological function

·         normal red blood cell formation

·         the normal function of the immune system

·         the reduction of tiredness and fatigue

·         the regulation of hormonal activity

·         normal cysteine synthesis

·         normal energy-yielding metabolism

Also called vitamin B5, pantothenic acid gets its name from the Greek root pantos meaning “everywhere” as it can be found throughout all living cells.  The most studied role of pantothenic acid in health support is its incorporation into a molecule called coenzyme A (CoA), this occupies a central place in energy metabolism, acting to allow carbohydrates, fats and proteins to be burned as energy sources.  It is also helpful in reducing body fatigue and weariness and it sets the metabolic process of the entire body on the right track making it capable of increasing the stamina of the human body. 

Sometimes referred to as the “anti-stress” vitamin, pantothenic acid may help to encourage the production of dopamine and serotonin which are neurotransmitter chemicals that regulate mood and reduce anxiety and stress.  Also aiding in the production of vitamin D, pantothenic acid supports the adrenal gland which produces steroid hormones and generally keeps the gland in optimal health.  Given the critical role it plays in health it’s a good thing that pantothenic acid is so ubiquitous in wholefoods with shiitake mushrooms providing the richest natural source of this essential nutrient, closely followed by cauliflower, sweet potato and broccoli.

Pantothenic acid contributes to:

·         normal energy-yielding metabolism

·         normal mental performance

·         normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, Vitamin D and some neurotransmitters

·         the reduction of tiredness and fatigue

Potassium, the third most abundant mineral in the human body, is an essential mineral whose ions are vital for the functioning of all living cells!  Potassium plays a role at both the cellular and electrical level – considered and electrolyte because it carries a tiny electrical charge – it is found in red blood cells, muscles and bones.  Our bodies use potassium ions to conduct electrical impulses along muscle and nerve cells, it helps to boost the efficiency of nerve reflexes that transmit messages from one body part to another, this in turn helps in muscle contraction to perform various activities without tiring quickly. 

Potassium also has vasodilating properties that work to relieve the tension of blood vessels which is one of the main causes of high blood pressure.  It is helpful in reversing the role of sodium in unbalancing normal blood pressure thus acting as a vital component that maintains the normality of blood pressure in the human body.  The importance of potassium should not be underestimated in your dietary plan, most famously found in bananas other rich sources of potassium include spinach, avocados and coconut water.

Potassium contributes to:

·         normal functioning of the nervous system

·         normal muscle function

·         the maintenance of normal blood pressure

An essential trace mineral in the body, copper has long been known to play a role in human health – its use dates back to 400 BC when Hippocrates is said to have employed it as a treatment for a variety of disorders.  Playing a beneficial role in immune function, you need copper for healthy white blood cells – the cell type tasked with seeking out, identifying and destroying pathogens.  Low copper levels lower your white blood count leaving you vulnerable to infection. 

Copper is a vital element of the dark pigment melanin which imparts colouration to the hair and skin, intake of copper is said to protect greying hair.  Copper helps in the absorption of iron from the intestinal tract and releases it from its primary storage sites like the liver.  Also playing a significant role in the synthesis of haemoglobin, myelin and collagen, copper helps to protect the myelin sheath surrounding the nerves and is actively involved in the production of an element of connective tissue, elastin.  Functioning as a coenzyme for energy metabolism from the macronutrients in food we consume, copper enables a normal metabolic process in association with amino acids and vitamins.  Oxidative stress is a characteristic of copper deficiency, when obtained from dietary sources it acts as an antioxidant, getting rid of free radicals which can damage your cells and DNA.  For your body to use copper you need to have a balance of zinc and manganese which is why it is best to obtain your copper from dietary sources where it is already in bioavailable form.  Topping the chart as the best source of copper are oysters!  Closely followed by kale, shitake mushrooms, seeds, nuts and nut butters.

Copper Contributes to:

·         the maintenance of normal connective tissues

·         normal energy-yielding metabolism

·         the normal functioning of the nervous system

·         normal hair pigmentation

·         normal iron transport in the body

·         normal skin pigmentation

·         the normal function of the immune system

·         the protection of cells from oxidative stress