WHAT ARE THE FLAVONOIDS? The flavonoids (also known as bioflavonoids, polyphenols or vitamin P) are probably the most well known group of phytonutrients (a group of chemical compounds which occur naturally in plants and have numerous health benefits but are not considered essential nutrients). The flavonoid group is comprised of 9 separate sub-groups: - Anthocyanins (which include cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, peonidin and petunidin). - Chalconoids. - Coumestans (which include coumestrol). - Flavanones (which include hesperidin, naringenin and silymarin). - … [Read more...]
Para-Amino Benzoic Acid (PABA / Vitamin Bx) Explained
WHAT IS PARA-AMINOBENZOIC ACID? Para-aminobenzoic acid (also known as PABA or vitamin Bx) is an unofficial water soluble, B complex vitamin. Para-aminobenzoic acid is not considered a true vitamin because it is part of vitamin B9 and can be produced in the body by intestinal bacteria. However, it is a powerful antioxidant (substances that protect the body from oxygen related damage) and also keeps the skin and hair healthy. In this article I will be looking at para-aminobenzoic acid in greater detail. WHEN WAS PARA-AMINOBENZOIC ACID DISCOVERED? Para-aminobenzoic acid was discovered … [Read more...]
Inositol (Myo-Inositol / Vitamin B8) Explained
WHAT IS INOSITOL? Inositol (also known as myo-inositol or vitamin B8) is an unofficial water soluble, B complex vitamin. It is not officially classed as a vitamin because it can be produced by intestinal bacteria in the body. Inositol works very closely with choline to maintain healthy cell membranes, metabolise fats and much more. In this article I will be discussing inositol in greater detail. WHEN WAS INOSITOL DISCOVERED? Inositol was initially isolated in 1849 by Scherer. In 1915 Wieland and Wishart became the first people to produce inositol and the full chemical structure … [Read more...]
Choline Explained
WHAT IS CHOLINE? Choline is an essential nutrient that promotes good liver health and plays a key role in fat metabolism. Whilst it is not technically a vitamin, it is often unofficially classified as a water soluble, B complex vitamin. In this article I will be discussing choline in greater detail. WHEN WAS CHOLINE DISCOVERED? Choline was discovered by Adolph Strecker in 1862 and chemically synthesised in 1866. In 1946 further research revealed that a diet lacking in choline caused liver cancer in rats. However, it was not until 1998 that choline was classified as an essential … [Read more...]
What Are Water Soluble Vitamins?
In my last few articles I discussed the four fat soluble vitamins. Today I am going to explain the remaining nine water soluble vitamins. Water soluble vitamins are given their name because they dissolve in water. They are found in a variety of foods. Unlike fat soluble vitamins which can be stored by the body, water soluble vitamins are only stored for brief periods and any excess is usually excreted in the urine (with the exception of vitamin B12 which is stored in the liver). Therefore, you need to replenish your supply of water soluble vitamins on a daily basis. When preparing … [Read more...]