Background Selenium is an essential trace mineral found in soil, water, and some foods. Selenium is required for functioning of the body's antioxidant enzymes and for cell growth and survival. The presence of selenium in locally grown food and selenium levels in human populations reflects the selenium levels in local…
(Source: SaluGenecists, Inc.) In addition to being one of the most talked about nutrients for health promotion and disease prevention, dietary fiber is also the focus of two FDA-approved health claims that appear on food labels. These claims reflect the benefits of high fiber foods for the prevention of heart…
(Source: SaluGenecists, Inc.) Lycopene, a member of the carotenoid family of phytonutrients, is the natural pigment responsible for the deep red color of several fruits, most notably tomatoes. While tomatoes have been consumed for centuries, it was not until the last part of the 20th century that research into their…
(Source: SaluGenecists, Inc.) Iron is a mineral that is found in every human cell and is vital to the health of the human body. The human body contains approximately 4 grams of iron that is primarily found in cells, linked with protein to form hemoglobin, the oxygen-carry molecule. The two…
Background Folate and folic acid are forms of a water-soluble B vitamin. Folate occurs naturally in food, and folic acid is the synthetic form of this vitamin. Folic acid is well-tolerated in amounts found in fortified foods and supplements. Sources include cereals, baked goods, leafy vegetables (spinach, broccoli, lettuce), okra,…
(Source: SaluGenecists, Inc.) A sulfur-containing amino acid that occurs naturally in food, cysteine can also be manufactured in the body from the amino acid methionine. This endogenous synthesis of cysteine begins with methionine being converted to S-adenosyl methionine (SAM), which is then converted to homocysteine, which then reacts with serine…
(Source: SaluGenecists, Inc.) Carotenoids - background and overview Carotenoids are a class of compounds that represent the most widespread group of naturally occurring plant pigments. Largely responsible for the yellow, red and orange colors of fruits and vegetables, these phytonutrients are also found in many dark leafy green vegetables. Among…
(Source: SaluGenecists, Inc.) Calcium is one of the most abundant minerals in the human body, accounting for approximately 1.5% of total body weight. Ninety-nine percent of the bodys calcium is found in the bones and teeth with the remaining 1% being distributed in other areas. A calcium-deficient diet is one…
(Source: SaluGenecists, Inc.) Biotin, the least well known of the B-complex vitamins, was originally referred to as vitamin H. Biotin was discovered in the late 1930s and early 1940s when researchers found that chicks fed diets high in raw egg whites would consistently develop skin rashes while also losing the…
