Bilberry Extract is a common herbal supplement that is used to help support vascular and visual functions. It is known to help strengthen the capillaries in the eyes, help with the formation and maintenance of connective eye tissue, and to help reduce eyestrain. Hundreds of years ago it was mainly used to relieve diarrhea. Bilberry is small shrub which is related to the cranberry, blueberry, and huckleberry. It contains high amounts of tannins, which act as an astringent and an anti-inflammatory. It also possesses flavonoid compounds called anthocyanidins. These have exceptional antioxidant properties. Bilberry extract is also known to help prevent heart disease, blood clots, cancer, diabetes, and macular degeneration.

Bioflavonoids once known as vitamin P is referred to as nature’s biological response modifier. They modify the body’s response to allergens, viruses, and carcinogens. They are a more powerful antioxidant then vitamin c, vitamin e, selenium and zinc against free radical and oxidative damages. They are used to prevent inflammation, and the microbes in infections. Bioflavonoid helps in the prevention of diabetic cataracts inhibits the manufacture of histamine and it enhances insulin secretion. It is used to lower blood cholesterol levels, prevent heart disease, stroke, asthma, hay fever, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus. It also improves micro vascular blood flow.

Biotin, also known as vitamin H, but is more commonly called Biotin. It is a vitamin which is B-complex in nature and is water soluble. Biotin helps in transferring carbon dioxide along with helping in various metabolic reactions. A steady blood sugar level can also be maintained by the help of biotin. Hair and nails are strengthened by the consumption of biotin. Therefore, a lot of hair and cosmetic products use biotin as one of its ingredients. The body’s daily requirement of vitamin B7 is produced by the intestinal bacteria. This therefore reduces the chances of vitamin B7 deficiency. There a large number of foods that contain biotin in large quantities. Swiss chard, tomatoes, liver,eggs, almonds, cumcuber, cauliflower, legume, soybeans, raspberries, carrots are some of those foods.

Bitter Melon Extract is a vine the fruit of which is one the most bitter of vegetables. This Asian staple has been used for hundreds of years for such ailments as sluggish digestion, dyspepsia, and also constipation, although it can sometimes make ulcers and heartburn worse. It is a mild inflammation modulator and a demulcent. So it rarely has such a negative effect. It is used by both Asians and Colombians for the prevention and treatment of malaria. Studies have shown that it does have anti-malarial activity.

Chromium.

Copper is being considered a mineral with immense medical advantages, copper has been used as a supplement in its gluconate form. Copper is one of the most important constituents of the blood and prevents poly – unsaturated fatty acids from turning rancid. Copper also increases the health of the cell membranes and is actively involved in the formation of hemoglobin. Copper Gluconate is instrumental in treating conditions such as irregular beating of the heart, hypoglycemia, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and in lowering the cholesterol levels of the body. Copper Gluconate is known to have side effects and is toxic if taken excessively. In the case of women who are expecting or mothers who are nursing, it is advisable to consult with your docter before taking any Copper based supplements.

Fenugreek is an herb and a spice, whereby the leaves are used as an herb and the seed as spice. Historically the use of fenugreek can be traced back to 4000 BC in Iraq, Bronze Age Kingdom of Judah, and was found in desiccated form in the tomb of Tutankhamen. The use is very widespread, from being a common ingredient in curry, to the inexpensive use as a maple syrup surrogate product ingredient in the United States, this herb and spice has found its way into many cuisines all over the world. Fenugreek seeds were used in the traditional Chinese medicine bearing the name Hu Lu Ba. They contain considerable amounts of the polysaccharide galactomannan, but also diosgenin, yamogenin, togogenin, neotigogens and gitogenin. Further components are volatile oils, mucilage and alkaloids, including trigonelline and choline.

Folic Acid, a water-soluble B vitamin that is necessary to form essential body proteins. Folic acid, sometimes called Folate also promotes the synthesis of hemoglobin in the body.

Gymnema Sylvestre is an herb stemming from southern and central India where it has been used for nearly 2000 years as a naturopathic treatment for diabetes.

Magnesium, which is a mineral used by the body to help maintain muscles, bones, and nerves. Magnesium is also needed for energy metabolism and protein synthesis.

Manganese is a mineral that is required in small amounts to manufacture enzymes necessary for the metabolism of proteins and fat. It also aids the immune system and blood sugar balance. Manganese is also involved in the production of cellular energy, reproduction and bone growth.

Selenium is a chemical element and a trace mineral deemed essential to human nutrition. It is found in many food sources, like beef liver, turkey, chicken breast, roast beef, white bread, whole eggs, rice, oatmeal, pasta, Brazil nuts, tuna and many others. Just recently a correlation between selenium, Vitamin E and cancer prevention has been scientifically proven. This essential trace element nutrient is nevertheless toxic in excessive doses, but is vital as a cofactor where antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase is required. Besides the belief that selenium may have a role in prevention from cancer, it has been observed that population in HIV and AIDS stricken countries where the soil is deficient in selenium have larger outbreaks than areas where selenium is sufficiently present. Other uses, such as in prevention from recurrence of tuberculosis, have been recommended by researchers.

Sodium is the element that has the atomic number 11 in the periodic table and is commonly known as the main component in the table salt, together with chloride. Interestingly enough, it is probably the one dietary component which does require limitation rather than supplementation, since that average daily nutritional requirement is around half a gram per day. This most popular food seasoning, salt, is providing the most common source of sodium and chloride in human diets, but is generally overused and may cause health problems, such as high blood pressure, if consumed overly generously. The suggested dose of table salt, or rather the upper limit portion, would be somewhat less than 6 gram per day, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, referenced by FDA. In the UK this limit is set at four grams per day.

Vanadium, a mineral found naturally in the body that helps to balance blood sugar levels and aids in the release of energy. Vanadium is probably essential to growth and involved in fat metabolism.

Vitamin B12, or rather the Vitamin B complex, is a group of vitamins that are all soluble in water and very often coexist in food sources. While every single Vitamin from the B complex group has a name, they are very often referred to by the number added to the Vitamin B group name, like Vitamin B1, which is thiamine, or Vitamin B2, which is riboflavin. Some other compounds have been added to the Vitamin B group at some time, but were later dropped, like adenine, orotic acid or adenosine monophosphate, where later research found that they are either synthesized by the human body or simply no Vitamins. Vitamin B complex supports the metabolism rate, maintains muscle tone and skin, raises functions of the nervous system and the immune system, promotes red blood cells and cell growth and division and much more.

Vitamin B6contains pyridoxal phosphate, or PLP for short, as the active ingredient and is a vitamin belonging to the B complex grouping. It is functioning mainly as a co-enzyme with others in the human body, aiding in the proper function of several metabolic processes. Neurotransmitter synthesis, as well as hemoglobin and histamine synthesis are just some of the functions of PLP, hemoglobin function, gene expression and aiding in the facilitation of decarboxylation, elimination and other reactions, mainly taking place in the liver. Vitamin B6 was found to diminish by 50% the risk of Parkinson’s disease. Alternative medicine suggests the use of Vitamin B6 to combat autism, in combination with magnesium. This combination has shown effects with children suffering from attention deficit disorders. PLP also seems to show therapeutic effects for diabetic nephropathy.

Vitamin C is an obvious essential nutrient and a deficiency of this will cause scurvy. It is also an antioxidant and acts as an electron donor for eight different enzymes.

Vitamin E consists of eight related vitamins that are all fat soluble and have antioxidant properties. The alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopherols with the corresponding tocotrienols all belong to the Vitamin E group, whereby the alpha-tocopherol has been found to be the most bioavailable form. Vitamin E is commonly found in food sources like eggs, milk, nuts, seeds, vegetable oil like olive oil, wholegrain foods, wheat germ, red palm oil, but also in asparagus and avocado fruits. While Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, several other properties have been noted as well, such as prevention of damage to neurons, cholesterol reduction and cancer prevention. Vitamin E has been also identified as a vital signaling molecule, whereby the primary necessity of Vitamin E to human survival is still not clear.

Zinc, a mineral needed for cell division and repair as well as proper functioning of the immune system. Zinc is also an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body.