Foods rich in magnesium, potassium, and calcium are essential for heart health and muscle function. Discover the best dietary sources for iron and B12, and learn how steaming vegetables compares to boiling for nutrient preservation.
As a preservative, calcium chloride is found in a variety of snacks, beverages, sports drinks and specialty items. Calcium chloride prevents food spoilage, but also provides the essential mineral calcium, increasing the nutritional quality of the product.
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Vitamin B12, also known as cyanocobalamin or cobalamin, is an essential nutrient involved in many metabolic pathways. The recommended daily intake of Vitamin B12 is 2.4 micrograms per day for adults over the age of 19. Pregnant and lactating women are advised to consume slightly more, 2.6 and 2.
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Many foodies like sea salt because of its unique texture and flavor -- and because it's a natural form of salt found in the ocean. Although sea salt may contain slightly more nutrients than table salt, don't overdo it by adding too much sea salt to your food.
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Glutamine is an amino acid, an essential building block of protein. Under normal circumstances, your body produces enough to support healthy bodily functions. But, if your body is under stress -- from trauma or an extreme athletic endeavor, such as a marathon -- you may benefit from adding more glutamine to your diet.
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Molybdenum is a mineral your body requires to trigger the function of enzymes essential for the synthesis of amino acids and the metabolism of certain compounds. Adults who are at least 19 years old need approximately 45 micrograms of molybdenum each day.
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If your parents made a point of reminding you to eat your vegetables when you were a kid, they weren't just trying to ruin your day. Vegetables -- and many other types of foods -- are packed with vitamins that can keep your body functioning properly.
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Iron and vitamin C are essential nutrients that your body needs to ensure proper wound healing, prevent anemia, maintain energy levels and support immune function. Your body is unable to synthesize these nutrients, so they must come from your diet. Very few foods provide a good source of both.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that healthy adult men and women consume 2 cups of fruit each day. A cup of most sliced or chopped raw fruits fulfills half of this requirement, including 1 cup of whole grapes – equivalent to about 32 whole seedless grapes.
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The ancient Egyptians believed mushrooms were the plant of immortality, and while they may not help you live forever, mushrooms provide nutrients to keep your body healthy. Mushrooms come in many varieties, including white button, portobello and shiitake.
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Your body requires the essential nutrients zinc and selenium on a daily basis to function properly. Zinc helps your body make proteins, heal wounds and maintain its immune function, while selenium is an antioxidant that aids in reproduction and thyroid hormone metabolism.
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Zinc is an antioxidant that may help lower your risk of cancer, age-related macular degeneration and neurological conditions. Also an antioxidant, copper is required for the synthesis of red blood cells and may aid in preventing osteoporosis.
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People who take the blood thinner warfarin, also called Coumadin, need to eat a consistent amount of vitamin K each day because this drug works by interfering with the blood-clotting action of vitamin K.
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Vitamin K is an essential nutrient for maintaining proper blood clotting and healthy bones. It's a fat-soluble vitamin present naturally in many foods. Healthy bacteria that live in your intestines can also manufacture vitamin K. Your body can store vitamin K in the liver and fat tissues, making deficiency rare.
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Mangoes are grown in tropical climates. In the U.S., mangoes can be found in the grocery store throughout the year because shipments come in from a number of different countries in South America and the Caribbean, according to the National Mango Board.
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Boron and vitamins are vital for optimal health. Boron is a trace mineral which is important for improving conditions such as menopausal symptoms, allergies, Candida albicans, arthritis, osteoarthritis, aging and lupus.
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Like vitamins, minerals help your body grow and stay healthy. Your body needs minerals to perform different functions, from building healthy bones to transmitting electrical impulses along nerves. In fact, some minerals help maintain a normal heart beat and make hormones.
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Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, and the mineral zinc are nutrients known for their potent antioxidant, or disease-fighting, benefits. Though dietary supplements can provide both nutrients, a healthy diet is the prime means for maintaining nutritional health, according to the American Dietetic Association.
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Iron and vitamin B12 are vital to healthy blood functioning. According to the University of California, iron and B12 are essential to the production of hemoglobin, the portion of blood that carries oxygen to cells and tissue.
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Hyperkalemia is the medical term for high levels of potassium in the blood. This condition can occur as the result of chronic kidney failure, hormone deficiencies, alcoholism or the destruction of red blood cells.
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Vitamin B12 is essential to healthy red blood cell formation and proper neurological functioning, but a lot of people who are deficient go undiagnosed. Your doctor can help you determine if you are in need of a supplement to bring you up to healthy levels.
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