Winter Nutrition Essentials: The Importance of Vitamin D and Zinc for Immune Health
As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, it’s not just your wardrobe that needs an upgrade – your nutrition might, too.
As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, it’s not just your wardrobe that needs an upgrade – your nutrition might, too.
Supplementating is a popular means of attempting to improve sports performance and/or training. We have previously covered how probiotics can aid in improving sports performance here, but this piece will focus on two different but very populars sports supplementation substances: creatine and caffeine. Caffeine tends to be used for an energy boost, whereas creatine is […]
Why do we need vitamin D? Vitamin D, otherwise known as ‘the sunshine vitamin’ is synthesised by the body following sunlight exposure. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. It promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from our diets, making it essential for maintaining bone and muscle health (1, 2). Vitamin D also contributes to […]
Why do we need omega-3? Omega-3 plays a vital role in the formation of cell membranes and eicosanoids. Eicosanoids are signalling molecules that play various roles in your heart and lung health, the endocrine and the immune system. Omega-3 fatty acids are needed for normal blood pressure, triglyceride levels, brain function, heart health and vision. […]
Why do we need vitamin C? Good levels of vitamin C will help you maintain your general health and wellness. Vitamin C has several vital roles within the optimal functioning of the human body. We need vitamin C to make collagen (a protein required to help wounds heal), to improve the absorption of iron from […]
Why do we need Magnesium? Magnesium is a mineral involved in many processes in our body. It regulates the nervous system and the contraction of the muscles, and it plays a role in our protein and DNA synthesis as well as the structural development of bones (1). A magnesium deficiency is not uncommon among the […]
Why do we need zinc? Zinc plays critical roles in immune function, protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA synthesis, and cell division. Zinc is critical for the development and function of immune cells and it’s important for the maintenance of healthy hair, skin and nails. Symptoms of a zinc deficiency include growth and development impairment (children), […]
Why do we need calcium? Calcium is a mineral that the body needs for numerous functions. Calcium is primarily required to help the body build strong bones when we’re young and to keep our bones strong as we age. In addition to good bone health, calcium is also involved with the regulation of our heart’s […]
Why do we need vitamin B12? Vitamin B12 is important to keep the nervous system healthy and plays a role in the formation of red blood cells and DNA. The central nervous system is especially vulnerable to vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is synthesised only by microorganisms, and for this reason, natural food sources of […]
What are bio cultures? Bio cultures are live microorganisms that tend to provide us with health benefits. They’re often referred to as ‘Probiotics’ or called “good” bacteria as they differ from the microorganisms that cause disease. Probiotics could help to maintain a healthy community of microorganisms by increasing the levels of good bacteria and reducing […]