Calcium
What it is: It is a divalent metal with the symbol Ca. It comprises 1.5% of the body weight. 99% of calcium is found in the bones in the form of a complex, and 1% is found in teeth, skin and blood plasma. Dairy products and some vegetables, such as broccoli, are considered to be rich sources of calcium. How it works: : Its main action is the prevention of osteopenia and osteoporosis. Moreover, it is necessary for hormone production and activation of enzymes of the body.In which products you can find it:
Chromium
What it is: It is an essential metal element, and its chemical symbol is Cr. Its name originates from the Greek word “χρῶμα” (color, pronounced “chroma”), because it has many brightly colored compounds. How it works: Chromium is involved in glucose and lipid metabolism and affects the insulin and serotonin function. It seems to be able to contribute to improving insulin resistance and glycemic control.In which products you can find it:
Copper
What it is: It is a metal, and its chemical symbol is Cu. Copper is a basic trace element involved in a variety of processes in the human bodyHow it works: The main function of copper is to catalyze reactions that are responsible for the function of many enzymes. It has antioxidant activity and boosts the immune system and the function of the central nervous system.In which products you can find it:
Dandelion Leaf
What it is: It is a flowering, herbaceous plant, also known as Taraxacum officinale or dandelion. How it works: Dandelion boosts the detoxification mechanisms of the liver, helps detoxicate from environmental pollutants (e.g. CCl4), and has protective action on the liver at large amounts of alcohol. In which products you can find it:
DHA
What it is: Docosahexaenoic acid belongs to the polyunsaturated fatty acids essential for the body. Fish oils are its main source, but here it is found in Argan oil. How it works: Its role is to be involved in the growth processes and in the nervous function of the body.In which products you can find it:
Folate
What it is: It is an organic compound that belongs to the B-complex of water-soluble vitamins, Β9 in particularHow it works: : It is involved in various metabolic processes of the body, but mainly in what concerns the body growth. In which products you can find it:
Iodine
What it is: It is a non-metal chemical element with the symbol I. It is a basic trace element of the human body, which normally contains 14 mg of this element.How it works: Iodine is mainly concentrated in the thyroid gland, which is responsible for the secretion of hormones that contain iodine, thyroxine being the most important of them. Thyroxine plays a key role in maintaining a normal metabolism for all cells of the body. Iodine deficiency may lead to goiter.In which products you can find it:
Iron
What it is: It is a chemical element with symbol Fe. In foods, iron is found in two forms, heme (ferrous) iron, which is well absorbed and non-heme (ferric), with low absorbance capacity. Heme iron is found in foods of animal origin and non-heme iron is in foods of vegetable origin and needs vitamin C to be absorbedHow it works: Iron belongs to metals and it is a necessary element for the body as it plays a significant role in the metabolism and the function of many enzymes. It is a necessary prosthetic group for thousands of enzymes and proteins, such as oxygen-transport proteins. In significant iron deficiency, anemia manifests in the body.In which products you can find it:
Magnesium
What it is: Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg. It is a key element for the good function of the whole body. The biological activity of magnesium is due to its capacity to make chelatesHow it works: : Magnesium is considered to be the natural calcium antagonist and helps in its absorption. In general, magnesium plays an essential role in body energy regulation, the function of the nervous and muscular systems as well as in bone health.In which products you can find it:
Manganese
What it is: : It is a chemical element with symbol Mn.How it works: Manganese ions act as co-factors for a wide variety of enzymes with many functions. Moreover, it is a neurotoxin in larger quantities.In which products you can find it:
Molybdenum
What it is: It is a chemical element with the symbol Mo and belongs to metals. Molybdenum traces are necessary in almost all How it works: Molybdenum exists in traces in the human body and is involved in the process of nitrogen metabolism.In which products you can find it:
Niacin
What it is: It is a water-soluble vitamin, also known as niacin or vitamin B3, that belongs to the B-complex vitamins. It is mostly found in meat, fish, nuts, dairy products and whole-wheat products.How it works: It contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system as well as the metabolism, psychology and reduction of tiredness and fatigue. In which products you can find it:
Pantothenic Acid
What it is: It is a water-soluble vitamin, also known as pantothenic acid or vitamin B5, that belongs to B-complex vitamins. It is mostly found in nuts, dried fruits, avocado and liverHow it works: Pantothenic acid is used for the formation of coenzyme CoQ10, the normal function of metabolic processes for energy production and the composition and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters. Moreover, it helps the reduction of fatigue and mental function.In which products you can find it:
Selenium
What it is: : It is a chemical element with symbol Se. it belongs to the non-metals and it is one of the most important trace elements of the body. Rich sources of selenium in foods are nuts and mushrooms.How it works: In the body it is essential for the action of antioxidant enzymes and it contributes to the good functioning of the immune system and the thyroid gland. In which products you can find it:
Spinach Leaf
What it is: It is a vegetable with thick triangular leaves that are near the root with a dark green color and smooth or wavy surface. How it works: Spinach is rich in nutrients. It is a source of iron, selenium, zinc, calcium, magnesium, chlorophyll, beta-carotene, as well as B-complex and C vitamins. It contributes to proper functioning of the intestine, and against anemia, in boosting the immune system as well as the nervous system.In which products you can find it:
Spirulina
What it is: It is a cyanobacterium that belongs to the genus Arthrospira. It consists of many cells that form colonies in the form of threads which, most times, are spiral, which it is named after. It lives and grows in water rich in carbonates and bicarbonates with alkaline pH (up to 11). How it works: Spirulina is one of the richest sources of nature of plant pigments (such as chlorophyll, carotenoids and phycocyanins) and a highly digestible protein (usually over 55%), while it provides vitamins and minerals, fatty acids and other compounds of vital importance for the body. It has antioxidant, antimutagenic and anti-inflammatory properties.In which products you can find it:
Stabilized Rice Bran
What it is: Rice bran is the outer covering of the rice grain and is often removed during processing. How it works: Rice bran is quite high in B vitamins such as thiamine, niacin and Β6, all of which play a vital role in energy production, cardiovascular health and avoiding depression. Moreover, it contains over 100 known antioxidants, among which are tocotrienols, tocopherols, alpha-lipoic acid (which also recycles antioxidants, such as those of vitamins C and Ε when depleted), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and many carotenoids. It is also known to contain the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase and catalase.In which products you can find it:
Vitamin A
What it is: : It is a fat-soluble vitamin that is formed in the body from carotenoids (provitamins). The richest sources of vitamin Α are red, orange and green fruits, as well as fish, liver and egg yolk.How it works: Vitamin A contributes to the normal metabolism of iron, the maintenance of normal mucosa, the maintenance of skin health, the maintenance of normal vision, and the smooth functioning of the immune system.In which products you can find it:
Vitamin B1
What it is: It is a water-soluble vitamin, also known as thiamine, that belongs to the B-complex vitamins. It is mostly found in the sprouts of cereals, in yeast, red meat, liver, nuts, wholegrain cereal and legumes.How it works: Vitamin B1 is very important for the normal functioning of the nervous system, psychology and heart function, while lack of it may result in fatigue, weakness, concentration difficulty and beriberi disease. In which products you can find it:
Vitamin B12
What it is: It is a water-soluble vitamin, also known as cobalamin, that belongs to the B-complex vitamins. It is mostly found in dairy products, meat, seafood and soyHow it works: Vitamin B12 contributes to the normal energy metabolism in the body and homocysteine, the normal functioning of the nervous and immune systems, normal psychological function and the normal formation of red blood cells, while it is important for the process of cell division.In which products you can find it:
Vitamin B2
What it is: It is a water-soluble vitamin, also known as riboflavin, that belongs to the B-complex vitamins. It is mostly found in liver, beer yeast, royal jelly, dairy products and cerealHow it works: Vitamin B2 contributes to the normal energy and iron metabolism in the body, the normal functioning of the nervous system and vision, the maintenance of normal mucosa, and red blood cells, the maintenance of skin health, the protection of cells from oxidative stress and the reduction of fatigue.In which products you can find it:
Vitamin B6
What it is: It is a water-soluble vitamin, also known as pyridoxine, that belongs to the B-complex vitamins. It is mostly found in wheat, fruit, carrots, meat, legumes, fatty fish, spinach, chicken and pea. How it works: Vitamin B6 acts as a coenzyme in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. It contributes to the normal energy metabolism in the body, the normal functioning of the nervous system, the normal formation of red blood cells and the regulation of hormonal function.In which products you can find it:
Vitamin C
What it is: : Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. The body cannot compose it; that’s why it is necessary to be taken by foods. Its main sources are fruit and vegetables. How it works: Vitamin C has multiple benefits for the body, mostly due to its antioxidant activity. It is widely used to boost the immune system and to protect the cells from oxidative stress.In which products you can find it:
Vitamin D3
What it is: Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol is the active form of vitamin D in the body. Also known as “the vitamin of sun”, apart from its intake from foods it is also composed in our body through the effect of solar radiationHow it works: The main action of vitamin D3 is strengthening the bones, via the regulation of the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Moreover, vitamin D facilitates the functioning of the immune system.In which products you can find it:
Vitamin E
What it is: It belongs to fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamin E can be found in seed oils, nuts, avocado and sweet potato.How it works: Vitamin E mainly acts as an antioxidant, protecting the cell membranes from the action of free radicals. In which products you can find it:
Vitamin K2 (MenaQ7)
What it is: Κ2, or menaquinone, is a very well absorbed form of vitamin Κ. ΜΚ-7 seems to be the most stable and active menaquinone. A basic source of menaquinones in human diet is natto, a product of soybean fermentation, yellow cheese, and less, egg yolk and butter.How it works: Its activity in the body is found in blood coagulation and in osteoporosis prevention, through strengthening the bones and the arteries and soft tissue from excessive calcification.In which products you can find it:
Watercress Leaf
What it is: : It has the scientific name Nasturtium officinale. Its origin is from Europe and today it is found in many parts of the earth, close to lakes, streams, rivers and ravines. It is eaten fresh in various salads, and boiled as vegetable in soups, etc. How it works: Watercress contains quite high quantities of the antioxidant carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as vitamins (Α, B1, B2, C and Ε) and minerals (iodine, calcium, iron, phosphorus and sulfur). It boosts the defense of the body even more and helps treat respiratory disorders such as common cold and cough. In which products you can find it:
Zinc
What it is: It is a chemical element with symbol Zn, also known as tin. It is mainly found in shellfish and to a much smaller extent in animal proteins, legume, beans, nuts (especially pecans and walnuts), wholegrain cereal, pepitas, sunflower seeds and sesame.How it works: Zinc is a necessary element for the maintenance of any form of life. It is an important mineral for the body, as it is contained in hundreds of thousands of proteins of the body, as well as in brain cells, salivary glands, prostate, intestine and the immune system.In which products you can find it: