Impaired fertility and involuntary childlessness are common in the Nordic countries and there can be a number of reasons for these serious problems. However, according to a large Finnish study that is published in Nutrients, vitamin D deficiency, which is a widespread problem, may increase women’s risk of fertility problems and cause them to have a miscarriage.
Vitamins, minerals, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and Q10 are nutrients that we need in certain quantities in order to support vital body functions.
Nutritional supplements containing vitamins and minerals must be labeled in accordance with the reference values.
This overview serves as general information about the different vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids and how they work.
THE VITAMIN AND MINERAL GUIDE
Copper is an essential trace element. An adult contains around 100-150 micrograms of copper. Most of it is found in the liver, brain, kidneys, and heart. Fetuses and newborn babies have particularly high copper levels in their liver. In fact, the liver is believed to serve as an extra storage facility during lactation where the copper content in breastmilk is rather low.
An increasing number of people have started using magnesium supplements against migraine attacks and headaches. Even physicians acknowledge that this mineral may actually have great potential.
More and more people who suffer from recurrent headaches and migraines use magnesium supplements to prevent ant cure their symptoms. Several newspapers and websites have caught onto the story and are writing about the growing interest for magnesium. If you search the net there is a substantial number of studies pointing to magnesium as an effective way of dealing with headaches and migraines which may have something to do with the fact that this particular mineral plays a role in muscle and nerve functions. At the same time, magnesium has a documented anti-hypertensive effect that may also contribute.
Many people with recurrent cramps in their leg muscles use magnesium supplements with good results. Similarly, magnesium has a role in cardiology where it is used to stabilize the heart rhythm in individuals with heart rhythm disturbances. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has officially acknowledged that magnesium contributes to normal functioning of nerves and muscles. This supports the mineral's role in vasoconstriction etc.
An adult contains around 150 grams of potassium with 98% inside the cells. Potassium works in synergy with sodium, which is primarily found outside the cells in the tissue fluids. The potassium-sodium distribution is essential for the so-called electrolyte balance of cells, and this is crucial for the cellular uptake of nutrients, for the ability of cells to get rid of waste products, and for the maintenance of essential fluid balances. The kidneys regulate the body's potassium levels and they must always be in balance with sodium. A major sodium source is table salt (sodium chloride). Excessive consumption of sodium may result in a potassium deficiency.
"After about one week of taking the Q10 supplement I could feel a huge difference," says 23-year old Alan Piccini, who has been suffering from extreme fatigue and muscle aches ever since he was a child.
“Taking capsules with co-enzyme Q10 has freed me of the severe side effects of my cholesterol lowering medicine,” Mrs Franken explains.
