Beta Carotene A carotenoid known as an anti-oxidant and as a provitamin A, because it is one of the most important precursors of vitamin A in the body. Beta-carotene converts to vitamin A in the body and is needed for healthy sight, skin and hair. A pro-vitamin to Vitamin A, thought to have anti-cancer effects that could boost immunity, improve vision, support holistic healing and help prevent heart disease. Beta-carotene is believed to contain no toxic side-effects like Vitamin A. Beta-carotene is known for its yellow-orange pigment.
(Also see Vitamin A) More...
Betaine (glycine betaine, Trimethylglycine (TMG)) Betaine is a choline derivative important for its role in the donation of methyl groups used in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine and for it's folate sparing effect. In the body, Betaine donates one of its methyl groups to cellular DNA, which helps DNA to maintain its normal functioning. When it has three methyl groups attached to each molecule of glycine it is called "trimethylglycine". When in a TMG methyl group it donates a molecule of homocysteine, which is converted first to methionine, then to S-adenosyl-methionine (SAMe).
Closely related to choline, the difference is choline (tetramethylglycine) has four methyl groups attached to it. When choline donates one of these groups to another molecule, it becomes betaine (trimethylglycine). If betaine donates one of its methyl groups, then it becomes dimethylglycine. Betaine plays a role in the manufacture of carnitine.
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Biotin (Vitamin H) As an essential part of important enzymes and is necessary for both maintenance and growth. Keeps hair from turning gray and falling out, alleviates eczema and dermatitis, eases muscle pains. Water soluble. It functions as a coenzyme in bicarbonate-dependent carboxylation reactions. Biotin aids in the utilization of protein, folic acid, Pantothenic acid, and Vitamin B-12, promotes healthy hair.
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Choline (phosphatidylcholine) Choline aids in nerve transmission and utilization of fat and hormone production and in controlling fat & cholesterol buildup in the body. Helps control cholesterol, transferring nerve impulse to the brain, helps against memory loss and senile dementia, aids the liver in eliminating toxins, poisons and drugs from the bloodstream. Helps maintain normal kidney and bladder function. prevents fat from accumulating in the liver; facilitates the movement of fats in the cells; helps regulate the kidneys, liver & gallbladder; important for nerve transmission; helps improve memory. Choline may help in cirrhosis and fatty degeneration of the liver, hardening of the arteries, heart problems, high blood pressure, hemorrhaging kidneys.
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Folic Acid (Folacin, Folate) Folic acid AKA folate (the anion form) are forms of the water-soluble Vitamin B9, which helps convert vitamin B12 to a coenzyme form, helps synthesize nucleic acids (DNA & RNA) essential for the growth and reproduction of all body cells, essential to the formation of red blood cells by its action on the bone marrow, and aids in amino acid metabolism. Folic acid is needed by adults and children to make normal red blood cells and prevent anemia! More...
Inositol Inositol is part of the vitamin B complex that plays an important role as a second messenger in the cell. A welltrient that supports a healthy nervous system, produces a calming effect, lower cholesterol levels, promotes healthier hair, prevents eczema and is integral to proper eye function.. More...
PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) Para Aminobenzoic Acid aids healthy bacteria to produce folic acid; aids in the formation of red blood cells; contains sun screening properties; aids in the assimilation of Pantothenic acid; returns hair to its natural color. Keeps skin smooth and healthy, delays wrinkles and reduces the pain of burns. More...
Quercetin Quercetin is a flavonol (flavonoid), and in the aglycone form of other flavonoid glycosides (rutin and quercitrin). Quercetin is one of the most active of the flavonoids. The plant pigment quercetin is a dominant flavonoid found in found mainly in citrus fruit. In the body quercetin has anti-inflammatory activity with direct inhibition of several initial processes of inflammation (it inhibits both the manufacture and release of histamine and other allergic/inflammatory mediators) and it exerts potent antioxidant activity and vitamin C-sparing action. More...
Vitamin A (Retinol) A welltrient that promotes growth and repairs of body tissues. Necessary for growth & repair of body tissues; helps maintain smooth, soft disease-free skin; helps protect the membranes. Involved in the formation and maintenance of healthy skin, hair, and mucous membranes. Necessary to new cell growth. Helps Fight infection. Essential for good blood, kidneys, bladder and lungs. Helps in the maintenance of good eyesight. Helps us to see in dim light and is necessary for proper bone growth, tooth development, and reproduction. (Also see Beta Carotene) More...
Vitamin B- 1 (aneurin, Cocarboxylase, Thiamine) An essential coenzyme (vitamin) necessary for the proper metabolism of sugar and starch to provide energy in the body. It also acts to help the body's memory and heart functions, digestive and nervous systems, and is important for the maintenance of healthy, clear, luminous eyes, hair and skin. More...
Vitamin B- 2 (Riboflavin, Vitamin G) Riboflavin is necessary for carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Riboflavin aids in immunity, maintains cell respiration, and is necessary for the maintenance of good vision, skin, nails and hair. Riboflavin is required for red blood cell formation, antibody production, cell respiration and growth. Important for good muscle tone. Involved in metabolism of protein, protein fats, and carbohydrates. Aids in growth and reproduction promotes healthy hair, skin, nails, alleviates eye fatigue eliminate soreness of mouth and lips help burn carbohydrates, fat and protein.
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Vitamin B- 3 (Niacin, Niacinamide, Nicotinic Acid, Vitamin PP) Niacin is a water-soluble vitamin, whose derivatives play essential roles in energy metabolism in the cell and DNA repair. Niacin is involved in proper activity of nervous system and known to protect against various mental illnesses and heart disease. Needed for healthy skin and important for the digestion process and the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Effective in managing cholesterol, prevent severity of migraine headache, reduce high blood pressure, also a possible cancer inhibitor. Aids in circulation beacause it is a natural vaso-dilator helping to increase circulation to the extremities, improving the flow of oxygen and beneficial nutritional factors. More...
Vitamin B- 4 B4 is also known as the nucleic acid adenine, Vitamin Bw, Vitamin Bp, and Leuco-4. Some conclude it may be a mixture of arginine, glycine, pyridoxine, and riboflavin, while others believe that it is a mixture of B2, B6, arginine, cystine, and glycine. It was formerly classified as a nucleic acid since it was found in RNA and DNA. It is found in plant and animal tissues and appears to be associated with Vitamin B3 (niacin). Although it does not have official vitamin status, it is required to build nucleic acids and plays a supporting role in the enzymes systems. More...
Vitamin B- 5 (Pantothenate, Pantothenic Acid) Pantothenic Acid participates in the release of energy from carbohydrates, fats & protein, aids in the utilization of vitamins; improves the bodys resistance to stress; helps in cell building & the development of the central nervous system; helps the adre A powerful antioxidant. Needed to produce vital steroids and cortisone in the adrenal gland. Aids in vitamin utilization. More...
Vitamin B- 6 (Pyridoxil 5-Phosphate, Pyridoxine) The bioactive metabolite of Vitamin B-6, Pyridoxil 5'-phosphate is a coenzyme of many enzymatic reactions. It is the active form of Vitamin B-6 which comprises three natural organic compounds, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine and pyridoxine. An essential welltrient for the utilization of proteins, fats and carbohydrate metabolism. Involved in a numerous amount of body functions. Necessary for the synthesis & breakdown of amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Pyridoxine is essential for the metabolism of protein, helps to convert glycogen into glucose, which can be used by your muscles for energy. Needed for production of red lood cells and antibodies, which fight disease. Important for metabolism of protein and proper nervous system functioning. One of the critical factors that controls sodium/potassium levels in body fluids.
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Vitamin B- 7 Vitamin B- 7, also called vitamin I, was a factor extracted from rice polish.
Its deficiency caused digestive disorders in pigeons. It is not
established that this applies to humans. More...
Vitamin B- 9 The term "vitamin B9" was reused by some researchers to denote folic acid.
Vitamin B9 Folic acid, also known as folate, is important for the production and maintenance of new cells. This is especially necessary during both pregnancy and infancy when cell growth is extremely rapid. Both adults and children need folic acid to make normal red blood cells and to prevent anemia. More...
Vitamin B-11 known as factor S was related to vitamin B10. It was
also believed to have similar properties, and was also later determined to be a
mixture of substances.Vitamin B11, also
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Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamin, cyanocobalamin, Methylcobalamin) Vitamin B12 is needed to produce red blood cells and maintain a healthy nervous system. Key nutrient for new growth. Important role in the metabolism of nerve tissue and in maintaining a healthy nervous system, including brain cells. It also plays a role in the health of the spinal cord. Necessary for normal digestion, absorption of foods, protein synthesis and carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Powerful blood building factor. It aids in the production of DNA/RNA and red blood cells.
(Also see Cobalt) More...
Vitamin B-13 is a factor extracted from whey called orotic acid. Its
deficiency causes anemia, large abnormal blood cells, heart problems, skin problems,
and liver deterioration. It is recognized more widely in europe, but has not
been widely supported in the United States. It should probably be grouped with
the "sub-vitamin B complex" of substances that are useful to the body, but may
not be required in food. It is most often used similarly to ascorbate to
combine with minerals for better absorpsion. This also allows vitamin
manufacturers to include it in vitamin formulations without listing and/or claiming it as
a separate vitamin.
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Vitamin B-14 B14 is a crystalline conpound isolated from wine and originally thought to be a metabolite of xanthopterin which checks the growth of cancer cells. Deficiencies produce a deterioration of red blood cells (produced by the bone marrow), pernicious anemia, and an accelerated production of cancer cells. More...
Vitamin B-15 (calcium pangamate, Dimethylglycine) Dimethylglycine (DMG)dimethylglycine (or trimethylglycine), Pangamic acid, Anhydrous Betaine.
It was mostly
researched in the former Soviet Union. It is believe to help oxygen absorpsion,
aiding with heart problems, stress, cancer, and premature aging. The Russians
used it primarily to increase the performance of their olympic athletes. It is
very controversial and is not officially recognized in the United States.
Later researchers referenced diisopropylamine dichloroacetate as being "vitamin
B15", either believing it to be an alternate chemical form with the same
properties, or a more accurate isolation of the chemical.
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Vitamin B-16 Oxythiamine chloride Researched in the former Soviet Union, but never
resulted in widespread use by that government.
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Vitamin B-17 “Laetrile”, Amygdalin or any of the nitrilosides. It was researched by Dr. Krebs as
a cancer cure. It is very controversial in the United States, and is
outlawed as fraudulent and/or dangerous in many states. It is still recognized in
some other countries.
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Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) Vitamin C as an ascorbate is an essential nutrient required for metabolic reactions. Vitamin C is an effective antioxidant, an ascorbate peroxidase substrate, an enzyme cofactor for the biosynthesis of many biochemicals and an electron donor for enzymes. The pharmacophore of vitamin C is the ascorbate ion. When L-ascorbate is a strong reducing agent carries out its reducing function, it is converted to its oxidized form, L-dehydroascorbate that then be reduced back to the active L-ascorbate form in the body by enzymes and glutathione. L-ascorbate is a weak sugar acid structurally related to glucose, which naturally occurs either attached to a hydrogen ion (ascorbic acid), or to a mineral ion (a mineral ascorbate). The biological halflife for vitamin C is about 30 minutes in blood plasma. More...
Vitamin D Vitamin D is a prohormone (a broken-open steroids called a secosteroid), that is converted in the liver and kidney to become the hormone 1,25-D (physiologically active form of a protein bound vitamin D). Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) is the natural dietary secosteroid to our body's internal 1,25-Hydroxyvitamin D3.
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Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol) Vitamin E is an important welltrient in cellular respiration of muscles, especially the cardiac muscle, as an anti-oxidant Vitamin E prevents peroxide formation. There are eight forms of vitamin E: four tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) and four tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta). There are eight forms of vitamin E, but the alpha- and gamma-tocopherol are the forms most often consumed. The alpha-tocopherol form maybe the only form that circulates throughout the blood to reach all the body tissues. More...
Vitamin H - Biotin Vitamin H3 was once listed in the Merck Index for para- aminobenzoyldiethylaminoethanol hudrochloride. This was based on the work of a Rumanian scientist, Dr. Ana Aslan who used procaine preparations as a youth drug. Her drug was very popular in the 60's, and research still goes on today. Her preparations break down into para-aminobenzoic acid (B-complex factor) and DEAE (related to choline precursors), and thus produced vitamin-like properties. A few researchers postulated that there was a unique vitamin property to the original substance as well. Her drug, called Gerovital-H3, thus became listed in the Merck Index as "vitamin H3". More...
Vitamin I Vitamin I, also called vitamin B7, was a factor extracted from rice polish.
Its deficiency caused digestive disorders in pigeons. It is not
established that this applies to humans. More...
Vitamin J Catechol, Flavin
Catechol is a flavonoid. Vitamin J has also been applied to Choline More...
Vitamin K (Menadiol, menaquinone, phylloquinone) Vitamin K is necessary for formation of prothrombin required for blood clotting, the functioning of several proteins involved in blood clotting, called coagulation. Essential for normal liver functioning and important in maintaining vitality and longevity. also aids the absorption of calcium in bone. Reduces excessive menstrual flows and prevents internal bleeding and hemorrhages. More...
Vitamin L1 Ortho-Aminobenzoic Acid
Deficiency- Lactation problems in animals More...
Vitamin L2 Adenyl Thiomethylpentose
Deficiency- Lactation problems in animals More...
Vitamin N Thioctic Acid, Alpha-lipoic acid
Deficiency- lack of growth in protozoa and bacteria.
Optimal intake- 300-600 mg
Discussion- A-Lipoic Acid has been used recently in Diabetes treatment. More...
Vitamin P (Bioflavonoid) Bioflavonoids are a class of polyphenols, these welltrients are necessary for proper function and absorption of Vitamin C and they aid in the healing process of injuries. In addition they possess an anti-bacterial quality and fight against infection. Vitamin P denotes the bioflavinoids. Vitamin P1 denots rutin. Vitamin P2 denotes hesperidin. Vitamin P4 denotes troxerutin.
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Vitamin Q Deficiency- Inability of blood to clot in telagiectasia patients
Discussion- Named after Dr. Armand J. Quick, who found a substance in soybeans could prevent bleeding in people with telagiectasia. According to Quick, only essential in patients with that rare blood disorder. More...
Vitamin R Old name for Vitamin B10. Also on "The Simpsons" the vitamin in the "malt" drink, the kids drank at lunch on a budget crisis!
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Vitamin S Deficiency- Sterility
Good Sources- kelp
Discussion- I found one reference to this in a book a long time ago. Kelp is known for its many nutrients, so it's likely that this substance is some other vitamin or mineral. Vitamin B11 was also called Vitamin S for awhile. More...
Vitamin T Tegotin, Termitin, Torutilin
Good Sources- Yeast, termites, fungi, sesame seeds
Discussion- Vitamin T has been used as a name for growth-promoting substances in termites, yeast and fungi. However, many sources list it as a blood health factor in sesame seeds. It is likely that these are two separate chemicals and the factor in termites is distinct from that in sesame seeds. This happens because different researchers discover nutrients and call them by the same name, not knowing another person has already used the designation. More...
Vitamin U The vitamin was discovered in cabbage called "vitamin U," named after its ulcer healing capacities. More...
Vitamin V Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, NAD
Deficiency- Developmental problems in chicks
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Vitamin X Vitamin X is a term that has been used for almost every undiscovered vitamin until its true chemical nature was identified. Ultimately "Vitamin X" is used to describe any unknown vitamin, including PABA before it was isolated. Most notably, it was during the search for vitamin B12, the search for vitamin E, and the isolation of biotin.
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