How well do you know the benefits of essential nutrients?
Feeling sluggish and having trouble healing are just some effects of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. From energy, to fighting infection, to protecting your DNA, vitamins and minerals are healthy nutrients at the head of this class.
Let’s examine EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids) – they’re an integral part of every cell in your body. EFAs effect how your cell’s receptors function; influencing hormones, blood clotting, inflammation…and, even how some genes are expressed!
Green foods get top marks – they’re a source of vitamins, minerals, and protein! Greens are a source of fibre and antioxidants too.
The good guys of your body’s microbiome, probiotics keep harmful bacteria at bay. To get top marks, you also would answer that probiotics help with nutrient absorption, and may improve the immune response.
Eating protein is good for your muscles, bones and waistline. Studies suggest protein may also boost metabolism and help with blood pressure control. The true test is, are you eating enough? Your body’s need for protein increases after age 65.
Getting an A+ so far?
Than you’ll love these new nutrient discoveries!
Gut feelings do exist! Anger, anxiety and depression are some of the feelings clinical studies, including a 2015 study from the Netherlands, suggest may be influenced by microbes in our gut.
Not a great student? Declining behaviour in students may be prevented with supplementation of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, says a 2016 study in the British Journal of Nutrition.
EFAs are converted into immunosuppressants, which dampens inflammation. Yet, there’s more – in a 2016 study in Nature, EFAs also orchestrated the clean up of an infection.
Eating green leafy vegetables keeps mental abilities sharp, says researchers from the Memory and Aging Project, a study involving 950 older adults.
NUTRIENT QUIZ:
Test Your Nutrient Knowledge.
Match the nutrient with its function and bring your answers into the store for a chance to win a free product. All respondents with 10 or more correct answers will receive a FREE Health First product!
Offer valid until Wednesday 26, Oct 2016
| Vitamin D | Help with energy production. | |
| Magnesium | Helps heals wounds & protects cells from damage. | |
| Vitamin A | Protects you from infections | |
| B Vitamins | Helps strengthen bones, teeth & the immune system | |
| Vitamin E | Protects you cells from damage | |
| Zinc | Carries oxygen to cells and prevents you from feeling tired | |
| Vitamin C | Needed for strong nerves, muscles, bones and teeth | |
| Iron | Helps the immune system & is needed for wound healing | |
| Folate | Builds bones & helps muscles work properly | |
| Vitamin K | Needed to make proteins, including those for blood clots & bone health | |
| Potassium | Helps control blood pressure; helps muscles & nerves work | |
| Calcium | Needed to maintain DNA |
