• Amino Acids
• Allergies 
• Aluminum 
• Cadmium 
• Copper 
• Nicotine 
• Caffeine 
• Fluoride 
• Chlorine
• Mercury
• Lead 
• Calcium
• Vitamin B-6
• Pantothenic Acid
• Choline
• Vitamin B-12
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Water Deficiency
• Magnesium
• Selenium
• Overactive Adrenals
• Underactive Adrenals
• Liver/Gall Bladder
• Underactive Stomach
• Overactive Stomach
• Colon
• Iodine
• Overactive Thyroid
• Underactive Thyroid
• Vitamin A
• Sodium
• Vitamin B-1
• Vitamin B-2
• Vitamin B-3
• Silicon
• Kidney/Bladder
• Manganese
• Zinc
• Circulation
• Candidiasis
• Essential Fatty Acids
• Reproductive Organs
• Hypoglycemia
• Low Digestive Enzymes
• Premenstrual Syndrome
• PABA
• Biotin
• Chromium
• Iron
• Folic Acid
• Potassium

PABA

• it is a powerful stimulant for tissue healing (especially sunburn);
• in cream form it is a very effective sun blocker; and
• it is important for maintaining healthy hair and skin.

PABA and folic acid (detailed above) are very closely related in purpose, for PABA is actually a derivative of folic acid. Some people are either sensitive or allergic to PABA, and should not take PABA supplements. They can achieve most of the benefits of PABA by taking folic acid supplements. 

BIOTIN

In the 1930s, the first biotin deficiencies were induced in animals accidentally by feeding the animals a diet rich in uncooked egg whites. It was discovered later that raw egg whites contain a substance that destroys naturally occurring biotin, both in food and in body tissues, while cooked egg whites do not contain the substance. The animals lost their fur and suffered weight loss and paralysis. Unfortunately, before the cause of the problem was discovered and corrected, some died. 

Since biotin is synthesized by bacteria in the intestines, a biotin deficiency may occur after taking antibiotics, which destroy intestinal bacteria. Also, some people have an inherited disorder that increases their need for biotin. 

VITAMIN B-1

Alcohol destroys vitamin B-1 and for some people only a drink a day is enough to induce a deficiency. Black tea contains compounds that inhibit B-1 absorption, and raw sea foods (lox, oysters, herring, sushi, etc.) contain thiaminase, a substance which seriously inhibits vitamin B-1 absorption. 

Vitamin B-1 is often referred to as the "morale" vitamin -- depression, mood changes and other mental dysfunctions are often early symptoms of a vitamin B-1 (thiamine) deficiency. 

VITAMIN B-2

Like other vitamins, B-2 is quite unstable and therefore is largely destroyed when food is processed. B-2 is even destroyed by light, especially fluorescent light. Milk is one of the best sources of vitamin B-2, but if it is sold in translucent or transparent containers it loses most of its vitamin B-2 by the time it is consumed. 

VITAMIN B-3

B-3 is easily absorbed by your body, but little is stored for future use. Since stress, prescription drugs and alcohol or drug abuse all deplete your body of the vitamin, a deficiency can quickly occur unless your B-3 levels are continually replenished. 

Vitamin B-3 was first identified during the search for a cure for pellagra, a terrible disease of the early part of this century. Pellagra was, at that time, one of the leading causes of illness and death. Early in this century researchers discovered that pellagra was caused entirely by poor diet, and that the rise of pellagra coincided with the growing popularity of refined foods such as refined grains, corn and rice. By accident it was found that pellagra could be entirely cured if the patient ate an extract of yeast. 

In retrospect we know that the food refining and processing was destroying the naturally occurring vitamin B-3 that people had previously received from their food, and that the extract of yeast that so successfully reversed this ravaging disease had high concentrations of none other than vitamin B-3. 

PANTOTHENIC ACID

(VITAMIN B-5)

B-5 was discovered in 1933 by the American biochemist, Dr. Roger Williams. He found that a deficiency of vitamin B-5 in animals can lead to a variety of degenerative diseases and eventually death. He also discovered that people under constant psychological stress have an even greater need for vitamin B-5, and it was shortly after this finding that B-5 became known as the "stress vitamin". 

VITAMIN B-6

B-6 also plays an invaluable role in the control of many other physiological processes such as neurotransmitter manufacture, hormone production, protein digestion and metabolism, fat and carbohydrate metabolism, and enzyme manufacture. 

It is thought that B-6 may also play a role in controlling blood levels of homocysteine, the amino acid which is believed to cause damage to blood vessels. Taking supplements of vitamins B-6, B-12 and folic acid has been shown to return the level of homocysteine to normal, and thus it is believed that these B vitamins may provide valuable protection against heart disease. B-6 is also used in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. 

It is estimated that as much as 60% of the North American population suffers from a B-6 deficiency. 

CHOLINE

Some choline is manufactured in the body -- breast milk is a rich source. It is also contained in lecithin, a fatty acid found in a variety of foods. Both lecithin and choline are available as supplements. 

VITAMIN B-12

It is thought that B-12 may also play a role in controlling blood levels of homocysteine, the amino acid which is believed to cause damage to blood vessels. Taking supplements of vitamins B-12, B-6 and folic acid has been shown to return the level of homocysteine to normal, and thus it is believed that these B vitamins may provide valuable protection against heart disease. 

Additionally, vitamin B-12 is necessary for the function of all nerve fibres, and for the production of genetic material within cells. 

VITAMIN C

This is an important vitamin because it is absolutely essential for the production, development and strength of collagen, which is the basis of all connective tissue in your body. Without healthy connective tissue production your body cannot grow and develop properly. Vitamin C is also critically important to healthy bone and tooth formation and it enhances the healing of fractures and wounds. Vitamin C also increases the absorption of iron. 

As well, vitamin C reduces infections and enhances your body's immune response during infection. This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant, which means that it helps to prevent the damage to cell walls that is caused by oxidizing agents to which your body is exposed. Additionally, vitamin C protects you against heavy metal toxicity by keeping metals like lead and arsenic in solution, so they can be eliminated in your urine. 

VITAMIN D

Recent studies indicate that vitamin D plays an important role in keeping our eyesight sharp. Vitamin D is also needed for the growth and development of bones and teeth. Vitamin D is necessary for your body's effective absorption of calcium, magnesium and phosphorous (whose functions are detailed elsewhere on this page). 

Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets (malformed bones) in children and osteomalacia (softening of bone) in adults. 

Since few foods naturally contain vitamin D, most milk is fortified with the vitamin. Also, liver, egg yolks, cheese, cold-water fish and fish liver oils are good sources of vitamin D. Caution should be exercised when taking vitamin D supplements -- excess vitamin D can be toxic. 

VITAMIN E

Additionally, vitamin E can help prevent damage to your eyes caused by aging, too much sunlight and exposure to toxic chemicals. It also keeps your skin from being damaged by too much sunlight, and protects the digestive tract from cancer-causing agents. 

Vitamin E deficiency can suppress the immune system and leave the body more susceptible to infection. Vitamin E is found in fruits, vegetables, grains and oils, but it is destroyed by cooking or storage. This makes it difficult to get enough vitamin E in the diet without supplementation. 

VITAMIN K

Although vitamin K is manufactured in your liver, your body also relies on the friendly bacterial organisms that occur naturally in your intestines for a supply of vitamin K. This explains why vitamin K deficiencies may occur after taking antibiotics and/or cortisone, for these drugs destroy friendly intestinal bacteria, as well as harmful bacteria. Liver or gall bladder disease, or any disease of the intestinal tract that interferes with the absorption of the fat soluble vitamins (E and A) may also cause vitamin K deficiency. 

WATER DEFICIENCY

Two of the most common reasons for water deficiency: 

• failing to drink enough water on a daily basis;
• essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency.

It is also possible to consume too much water, but this is rare and usually occurs when a misinformed person tries to flush "poisons" from their system by drinking huge quantities of water daily. 

SILICON

Silicon deficiency is common among North Americans, because it is found only in pure water and unprocessed foods. Fortunately, it is available as a supplement should your levels of silicon be too low.