Your Quick, Hassle-free Guide to: What Each Vitamin and Mineral Does for You

<>VITAMINS:

Vitamin A: Crucial for vision, a healthy immune system, and cell growth.
~Used for: Acne, Wrinkles, Dry Eye, Leukemia, Measles.

Vitamin B: There are 8 B vitamins important in Cell metabolism. Supplements containing all 8 are called "Vitamin B Complex"; essential for healthy skin and muscle tone, immune & nervous system function, cell growth, and increasing your metabolic rate.

Vitamin C: Tissue/bone repair and bone growth.
~Used for: *Common Colds.

Vitamin D: Permits absorption of Calcium and Phosphorus contained within ingested food.
~Used for: Disorders relating to Weak Bones.

Vitamin E: Key for Healthy eyes and skin.
~Used for: Illnesses contributing to a Vitamin E deficiency.

Vitamin K: Aids in blood clotting and blood functions.
~Used for: *Osteoporosis.

<>MINERALS:

CALCIUM: Supports strong bones/teeth, essential for repair of bone tissue and bone growth, aids in blood clotting for normal wound healing, permits nerve transmission.
~Used for: Arthritis, Hypothyroidism, Kidney Failure, Osteoporosis.

CHROMIUM: Controls blood sugar metabolism.
~Used for: Diabetes.

CO Q10: An antioxidant that also plays an important role in metabolism.
~Used for: Slowing Alzheimer's progression, Lowering Blood Pressure, *Migraines, *Cancer, *HIV.

DHEA: A natural hormone produced by the Adrenal Glands. (Levels drop after age 30).
~Used For: Adrenal Insufficiency, Depression, Lupus, Obesity,

FOLIC ACID (B 9): Permits DNA Synthesis.
~Used for: *Alzheimer's, Anemia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, *Cervical Cancer, Depression.

IODINE: Produces energy, metabolizes fat, and aids in physical/mental development.
~Used for: Thyroid related diseases.

IRON: Red blood cell (RBC) production.
~Used for: Anemia triggered from chemotherapy, menstruation, or pregnancy.

MAGNESIUM: Produces energy, a component of bone/teeth, and is essential in nerve transmission.
~Used for: Constipation.

OMEGA 3: Regulates blood pressure and maintains bone health.
~Used for: *Asthma, *Cancer, *Depression, *Cron's Disease, Lowering heart attack risk, Rheumatoid Arthritis, *Psoriasis.

POTASSIUM: Regulates heart beat and permits muscle contraction and nerve impulses.
~Used for: Burns, Gastroenteritis, High Blood Pressure, Diuretics.

RESVERATROL: Potentially reverses aging; also believed to help treat serious diseases. Further studying is necessary for concrete evidence.

ZINC: Helps heal wounds/burns and regulates carbohydrate and protein metabolism.
~Used for: Diabetes, High Cholesterol, *Infertility.

Vitamin A= Women 700 mcg/day; Men 900 mcg/day.
Vitamin B= varies with each type of B-Vitamin.
Vitamin C= Women 75 mg/day, Men 90 mg/day.
Vitamin D= 200 IU/day.
Vitamin E= 15 mg/day.
Vitamin K= Talk with your Doctor.

Calcium= 1,000 mg/day.
Chromium= Women 20-25 mcg/day; Men 30-35 mcg/day.
CoQ10= 25-200 mg/day. Talk to your Doctor to determine your RDA.
Folic Acid= 400 mcg/day.
Iodine= 150 mcg/day.
Iron= Women 18 mg/day; Men 8 mg/day.
Magnesium= Women 320 mg/day; Men 420 mg/day.
Omega 3 Acid= Talk to your Doctor.
Potassium= 4,700 mg/day.
Resveratrol= Talk to your Doctor.
Zinc= Women 8 mg/day; Men 11 mg/day.

The RDA's listed are very general. If you think your health would benefit from taking any of these vitamins/minerals as a supplement you should always consult with your Doctor first.

Medical Conditions marked with an (*) indicate that further study and evidence is needed to determine if that specific vitamin/mineral provides benefits for this condition.

If you would like to read in more detail about each of these vitamins and minerals and what research has been done, WebMD has a great site full of info. Visit http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/default.aspx.

If you would like to see a fun, colorful "Vitamin Chart" that shows a few examples of what vitamins are in certain foods, here is a great site. Visit http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/6475935/2/istockphoto_6475935-vitamin-s-table-with-food-icons.jpg.

Sources I used:
Sources:
www.webmd.com
www.doctorsecrets.com
www.istockphoto.com