If you care about results then you should definitely be taking our Micro Factor every day! Whether you want a six pack or just better overall health, you can't neglect your micronutrients!

Vitamins and minerals are needed for healthy bones, immune (sickness fighting) function and protecting cells from other forms of damage.

Vitamins are critically important for optimal health and that’s the case for everyone.

If you are exercising regularly and stressing your body in this manner (or any manner) it’s a good idea to make sure you are getting enough. For those of you that are dieting, restricting your calories, trying to lose weight, etc. and exercise a good bit, it becomes even more important to get enough vitamins. It's similar to the status of your car battery. Everyone is concerned about having enough fuel (carbs, fat, protein, etc.) but when you don’t have enough vitamins or the battery is dead in your car, it’s never a good thing. We must have optimal amounts of micronutirents for our body to run properly each and every day.

No matter how healthy you eat or what kind of diet you follow, it can be difficult for your body to get all the nutrients it needs from food, all the time. Every diet can have gaps.

Micro Factor provides your body with the full spectrum of nutrients it needs for overall healthy operation, to perform at its peak, and recover properly. The convenient daily packets contain all the vitamins, minerals, and other micronutrients your body needs to function at its optimal level. There are nutrients of 6 different gluten free supplements in every packet!

• Complete Multivitamin
• Antioxidant
• Fruits & Veggie Superfood Blend
• Essential Fatty Acids
• Probiotic
• CoQ10

Review:

"So convenient! I love how everything is packaged and I know I’m getting the essentials that I need. I’ve been using microfactor for a couple of months now and with consistent use, I’ve noticed more energy, less joint pain and less fatigue. As usual, 1st Phorm does not disappoint!!" ~Sherryl S.

I take Micro Factor every day, two times a day when I am training 2 or more hours in a day to ensure my body has the micro nutrients it needs to be effective in my absorption of my macro nutrients (protein/carbs/fats) and for repair/recovery. I think most people miss out on the quality vitamins by taking a hard pressed tablets (found in huge bottles at a box store) that are meant to last many years on the shelf and don’t actually dissolve properly in the body. These gel cap vitamins dissolve quickly and get absorbed as they really should. I feel more energy when I take this vitamin pack daily. My clients also report within 4 days of using this product having an boost in energy.

Antioxidants (Cherry, Green Tea Extract, EGCG, Grape Seed Extract, Resveratrol, Rosemary)

Purpose and benefits: Antioxidants protect the body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Many experts believe this damage is a factor in the development of blood vessel disease (atherosclerosis), cancer, and other conditions.

EFA (Vitamin E, CLA Safflower Oil, GLA Borage Seed Oil, ALA Flaxseed Oil, EPA (Fish Oil), DHA (Fish Oil)

Purpose and benefits: EFAs are a special type of “good fat”. They are also essential nutrients; sometimes called vitamin F. Essential nutrients are necessary for life, but must be obtained through diet because the body cannot make them. EFAs are required for the proper structure and function of every cell in the body, and are important for optimal health. EFAs increase the absorption of vitamins and minerals; nourish the skin, hair and nails; promote proper nerve functioning; help produce hormones; ensure normal growth and development; and prevent and treat disease.

Fats (fatty acids) fall into two main groups – saturated and unsaturated – based on their chemistry. There are three major classes of unsaturated fatty acids: omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9. The omega-6s and omega-3s are essential. The omega-9s are non-essential because the body can make them from other fatty acids. Unsaturated fatty acids are further classified as either monounsaturated or polyunsaturated. EFAs are polyunsaturated. They include:

• the omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid (LA), and its derivatives, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and arachidonic acid (AA)
• the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and its derivatives, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

EFA deficiency has been identified in many diseases including mental disorders, diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, eczema, PMS, immune dysfunction, and inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. EFAs may help improve these conditions, and EFA supplementation has been studied in hundreds of clinical trials. Because of the often-impaired conversion of LA and ALA to their derivatives, much of the recent research on EFAs has focused on GLA, EPA and DHA, which are also absorbed and utilized more efficiently than LA and ALA.

Heart disease: Population studies have shown that a diet rich in ALA, EPA and DHA helps maintain a healthy heart and may protect against heart disease by reducing high blood lipids and blood pressure, and by decreasing blood clotting. Evidence supporting the benefits of EFAs for the heart was so compelling that in October 2000 the American Heart Association updated its dietary guidelines, recommending healthy adults consume at least two servings of fatty fish per week. At the same time, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), finding the evidence suggestive, but not conclusive, allowed a qualified claim linking omega-3 fatty acids to a reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease.

Arthritis and other joint conditions: GLA is converted to eicosanoids with potent anti-inflammatory properties. It also modulates the immune response, which can decrease joint inflammation and destruction. Many rheumatoid arthritis sufferers are deficient in GLA, and respond favorably to GLA treatment. Placebo-controlled studies have demonstrated that supplementation with GLA may reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in both children and adults. Reductions in the duration of morning stiffness, joint swelling, tenderness and pain have been noted. Supplementation with GLA also reduced the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and corticosteroids in many cases.

Skin disorders: Deficiencies of EFAs, most notably GLA, have been related to eczema and other skin disorders. EFAs help alleviate dry, itchy, and inflamed skin and help reduce moisture loss. Although various EFAs and skin disorders have been examined, by far the most studied is the use of GLA for eczema. At least 22 randomized, placebo-controlled trials have been conducted, with the majority showing significant benefit. In several studies, patients taking GLA could reduce the use of drugs such as antibiotics, oral steroids and topical steroids.

COQ10

Purpose and benefits: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant that your body produces naturally. Your cells use CoQ10 for growth and maintenance.

Levels of CoQ10 in your body decrease as you age. CoQ10 levels have also been found to be lower in people with certain conditions, such as heart disease.

CoQ10 is found in meat, fish and whole grains. The amount of CoQ10 found in these dietary sources, however, isn't enough to significantly increase CoQ10 levels in your body.

Research on CoQ10 use for specific conditions and activities shows:

• Heart conditions. CoQ10 has been shown to improve symptoms of congestive heart failure. Although findings are mixed, CoQ10 might help reduce blood pressure. Some research also suggests that when combined with other nutrients, CoQ10 might aid recovery in people who've had bypass and heart valve surgeries.
• Parkinson's disease. Early research suggests that high doses of CoQ10 might be beneficial for people in the early stages of this progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement.
• Statin-induced myopathy. Some research suggests that CoQ10 might help ease muscle weakness sometimes associated with taking statins.
• Migraines. Some research suggests that CoQ10 might decrease the frequency of these headaches.
• Physical performance. Because CoQ10 is involved in energy production, it's believed that this supplement might improve your physical performance

-Fruits & Veggies

Spirulina

Purpose and benefits: Spirulina has an extraordinarily high antioxidant count, which may help to fight free radicals that enter the body.

It is the essence of this that causes spirulina to be nutritionally superior for both humans and animals.

Many health experts believe that the presence of the pigment phycocyanin also provides the powers to fight free radicals, also known as toxins, that may enter the body.

Phycocyanin is the main active component of spirulina and gives it the unique blue-green color.

Phycocyanin can eliminate free radicals and prevent the production of inflammatory molecules, thus providing impressive anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects

• Fights allergies
• Regulates Blood Pressure
• Manages Cholesterol
• Boosts Immunity
• Improves Memory and Academic Performance
• Protects the Brain
• Powerful Antioxidants
• Anti-Inflammatory properties
• Effective Against Anemia
• Improves Muscle Strength and Endurance
• Helps with Regulating Sugar Levels
• Helps Fight Liver Diseases
• Helps with Fat Loss: Due to the high amounts of protein and fiber it can satisfy hunger and a balanced appetite.
• Fights PMS Symptoms
• Eliminates Candida
• Keeps Skin Healthy
• Preserves Bone Health

Cereal Grass Blend (Barley Grass, Wheatgrass, Alfalfa, and Oat Grass)

Chlorella Pyrenoidosa

Purpose and benefits:

• Nutritionally complete food: Contains a full spectrum of vitamins, (thirteen essential minerals) dozens of trace elements and enzymes. In fact, literally hundreds of enzymes have been discovered in cereal grasses. Further studies will probably discover more because grass is loaded with them. Our bodies need a wide range of vitamins, minerals and elements to function properly. Wheatgrass is a quick and easy way to ensure you get them, as well as repair damaged cells and heal and prevent disease. Studies by scientists have shown it to never be toxic in animals or humans.

• More energy: Low energy is a result of a poor diet that cannot be replenished. Cereal grasses provide immediate energy and alertness. It will feed you nutritionally and rid of the toxins that are clogging your cells and blocking your natural energy flow.

• Longer days: The first thing that people notice when using wheatgrass is that it allows them the endurance they always wanted. It gives you stamina to keep going.

• Reverses illness: Anytime you are feeding your cells and detoxifying them, miraculous things may happen! It’s one of the most powerful and safest healing aid there is. It can strengthen the whole body by encouraging its immune system. And when your immune system is empowered, your body will know what to do with the baddies lurking inside. It seeks out and destroys. The combination of nutritional, chemical and energetic qualities in cereal grasses enable your body to overcome any objection. Many people and studies have reported reversing of major health problems through the supplementation of wheatgrass.

• Protection against toxins- including aging and combats free radicals: We have so much pollution in our air and water these days. It gets into our systems and bog it down. It causes us to age quicker and blocks the flow in our bodies. One way to combat this is to strengthen our internal defenses with wheatgrass. If our elimination systems are working efficiently, then poisons won’t stay in our bloodstream as long, and toxins will pass through our lungs quicker. This reduces the chance of damage and free radicals.

• Rejuvenates blood: Young blood = healthy blood = a healthy body. When your blood is clean and not junked up with filth, it clean and healthy. Blood runs the entire length of our body, carrying nutrients to our organs and is the river of life inside of us. When it’s dirty and old, it’s not good. Keeping your blood in tip top shape will ensure you live a healthy and disease-free life. Wheatgrass benefits blood by keeping it clean. It feeds it nutritionally so that it rejuvenates the cells to operate properly.

• Helps some shed pounds by detoxifying the body: Helps speed up blood circulation and metabolism and enhancing digestion, which can reduce excess fat in the body. Enzymes in wheatgrass and raw food contribute to weight loss in many people.

• DNA repair: There have been many doctors that have done experiments and studies on DNA. Wheatgrass has shown to have the ability of repairing DNA. Cereal grasses have regenerative and productivity increasing effect by assisting the cells in their normal repair processes.

• Blood cleansing and building abilities of chlorophyll. Dr. Bernard Jensen is known for building clean blood through greens (chlorophyll). He used green juices and wheatgrass benefits as a basis for his healing programs. He could double red blood cells by merely having his patients soak in wheatgrass baths or drinking wheatgrass/green juices. The hemoglobin is very close to the makeup of chlorophyll

• Wheatgrass enzymes are special: It is said that enzymes are one of the most important factors of wheatgrass benefits. When you include these enzymes in your diet, it supports your body to manufacture other enzymes. Some of the most important are: cyto-chrome oxidase (required for cell respiration), lipase (fat splitting enzyme), protese (protein digestant), amylase (starch digestion), catalase (helps breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen in body tissues), peroxidase (like catalase), transhydrogenase (aids in keeping muscle tissue of heart toned), superoxide dismutase. When enzymes decrease as we get older, the body’s ability to handle fats, proteins, and excess calories weakens, which could be part of the reason behind premature aging and overweight problems that we are plagued with today. It’s also interesting that in studies of cancer patients, three of these enzymes (cytochrome oxidase, peroxidase, catalase) have very low concentrations in their cells. In a healthy body with healthy blood cells, they are found in high concentrations.

• Builds blood and stimulates circulation: It is the quality of our blood determines the strength of our bones and muscle firmness. Blood rich in iron brings more oxygen to the cells which promotes youth and prevents senility. If we don’t have healthy rich blood to carry nutrients to every cell in our body, we suffer from poor health.

• Stimulates and regenerates the liver: The liver is the main organ of detoxification in the body. It performs more than 500 different functions. One of wheatgrass benefits is that it has shown to improve liver functioning.

• Deodorizes body: Many studies have been done on the effect chlorophyll has in reducing body odors and fecal odor. Dr. H Westcott did a study in 1950 found that 100 milligrams of chlorophyll is as good as any deodorant. It successfully neutralizes offensive odors in foods, tobacco and alcohol in a test tube. In his patients and volunteers, it showed to reduce menstrual odors, bad breath, sweat odor, and bad smelling urine and stools. Two Japanese scientists (Morshita and Hotta) did a study that is quite interesting. They gave volunteers garlic to eat, followed by 12 grams of chlorophyll. In twenty minutes, the garlic was not detected in 8 of the 10 volunteers.

VitaBerry (High ORAC Fruit Blend) Grape, Grape Seed Extract, Wild Blueberry, Blueberry Extract, Wild Blueberry, Blueberry Extract, Raspberry and Raspberry Seed Concentrate, Cranberry, Prune, Tart Cherry, Wild Bilberry and Wild Bilberry Extract, Strawberry

Purpose and benefits:

• Promotes a healthy heart & healthy blood vessels
• Supports healthy vision and skin
• Nourishes a healthy immune system
• Fosters healthy brain function
• Revitalizing & energizing with no added sugars or artificial sweeteners
• Supports healthy aging

Astragalus Root Powder

Purpose and benefits: This adaptogen herb lowers cortisol, aka the stress hormone, while fighting disease at the same time. In addition to pumping up your immune system, studies show it’s vital for cardiovascular health.

Astragalus is a plant within the Leguminosae (beans or legumes) family, with a very long history as an immune system booster and disease fighter. Its roots are in Traditional Chinese Medicine, in which it’s been used as an adaptogen for thousands of years — meaning it helps the body fight off stress and disease. Today, astragalus medicinal healing and treatment uses span many different illnesses and diseases.

The perennial flowering plant, also called milkvetch root and Huang-qi, grows from 16 to 36 inches tall and is native to the north and eastern regions of China. It’s also been traced back to Mongolia and Korea.

Astragalus roots are harvested from 4-year-old plants and are the only part of the plant that’s used medicinally. Only two of the over 2,000 species of astragalus, astragalus membranaceus and astragalus mongholicus, are used medicinally.

Astragalus contains three components that allow the plant to have such a positive impact on human health: saponins, flavonoids and polysaccharides, which are all active compounds contained in certain plants, including some fruits and vegetables. Saponins are known for their ability to lower cholesterol, improve the immune system and prevent cancer. Flavanoids, also found in astragalus, provide health benefits through cell signaling. They show antioxidative qualities, control and scavenge of free radicals, and can help prevent heart disease, cancer and immunodeficiency viruses. Polysaccharides are known to have antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory capabilities, among other health benefits.

According to continuing research, astragalus health benefits include:

• Acts as an Anti-Inflammatory
• Boosts the Immune System
• Protects the Cardiovascular System
• Regulates and Prevents Diabetes and Illnesses Related to Diabetes
• Contains Antioxidative and Anti-Aging Capabilities

Oxidation due to free radical damage is the main component in disease and aging, and many elements found in astragalus fight free radical damage and prevent of oxidative stress. The herb’s polysaccharides have positive effects on the immune system and improvement of the function of the brain, both of which could lengthen life span.

Heals Wounds: Because of its anti-inflammatory qualities, astragalus has a long history of treating wounds. Radix astragali, another name for the dried root of astragalus, has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for the repair and regeneration of injured organs and tissues.

In a 2012 study by the Institute of Pharmaceutics at Zhejiang University, wounds treated with astragaloside IV (the active ingredient in dried astragalus root) showed recovery rates increase two- to threefold over 48–96 hours. It was concluded that astragalus is a promising natural product for anti-scarring and healing in wounds.

Alleviates Symptoms of Chemotherapy: Astragalus has been shown to help patients receiving chemotherapy to recover more quickly and extend their life spans. In cases of severe chemotherapy symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and bone marrow suppression, astragalus has been given intravenously and in combination with other Chinese herbal mixtures. Early research suggests its ability to reduce these symptoms and increase the efficacy of the chemotherapy treatments.

Treats Colds and Flu: Because of astragalus’ antiviral capabilities, it has long been used to treat common colds and the flu. It’s commonly combined with other herbs like ginseng, angelica and licorice. As with many other natural cold remedies, it seems to work better when used when healthy individuals use the supplement regularly to prevent the illness before it happens. A regimen of astragalus before the colder months of winter is said to prevent or decrease the number of colds and upper respiratory illnesses individuals will have throughout the season.

Provides Supplemental Therapy for Chronic Asthma: Astragalus has been used to treat chronic asthma and determined to be a successful supplemental therapy and asthma natural remedy. After being treated, hypersensitivity in airways decreased substantially and mucus production and inflammation were reduced in studies. By preventing or reducing asthma attacks, individuals could be relieved of chronic asthma issues.

There is also evidence to suggest astragalus can successfully:

• prevent collagen degradation
• promote the growth and function of new blood vessels in newborns
• inhibit herpes simplex virus 1
• prevent the replication of viruses like Coxsackie B-3, a virus that triggers illnesses ranging from mild stomach issues to major heart complications
• treat inflammation in eczema
• treat hepatitis by inhibiting hepatitis B virus cells in the liver
• treat HIV by protecting t-helper cells fight the virus for much longer
• be used as a mild diuretic
• Kidney disease in diabetics is also a common problem, and astragalus has been used to treat kidney illness for many years. More recent studies have shown astragalus can slow the progress of kidney problems in diabetics and protect the renal system.

Bee Propolis Extract

Purpose and benefits: Bees make propolis, which they use to glue the materials of their hives together, by mixing beeswax and other secretions with resins from the buds of conifer and poplar trees. Those resins have natural germicidal properties. For centuries, people have used propolis on wounds and as a remedy for ailments ranging from acne to cancer, osteoporosis, itching, and tuberculosis. Today, propolis is used in the manufacture of chewing gum, cosmetics, creams, lozenges and ointments and is being investigated as a dental sealant and tooth enamel hardener. Many studies have tested its effectiveness in humans and animals as a treatment for burns, minor wounds, infections, inflammatory diseases, dental pain, and genital herpes. While promising, the results of these studies are preliminary. Propolis does have proven antibiotic and antiseptic properties and may also have antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects.

Broccoli Powder

Purpose and Benefits: Purpose and benefits: Broccoli is one of the world’s most nutrient-dense vegetables. Broccoli powder and organic broccoli powder offer the benefits of this potent super food. Broccoli has been shown to help lower cholesterol, stimulate the body’s endogenous antioxidant system, provide detox support, encourage healthy digestion, combat cataracts, increase vitamin D levels and help protect against inflammation. Broccoli powder provides an easy way to add the vegetable’s health benefits to many functional foods and dietary supplement products.

Probiotic

Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Casel, Lactobacillus Salivarius, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus Rhamnousus, Lactobacillus Brevis, Bifidobacterium Lactis, Bifidobacterium Longum, FOS

Purpose and benefits: Probiotics—the “friendly” bacteria

The normal human digestive tract contains about 400 types of probiotic bacteria that help reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and yeast and help promote a healthy digestive system. Probiotics are live microorganisms like the beneficial microorganisms naturally found in the human gut. Also known as "friendly" or "good” bacteria, they generally come from two groups, Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. Within each species are different strains, or varieties, such as L. acidophilus and B. longum that impart benefits to the small or large intestine.

When people have an infection, generally antibiotics ('anti' = against, 'biotics' = life) are prescribed to destroy the harmful bacteria that are causing the infection. But the antibiotics also destroy friendly bacteria at the same time. So, once you are off a series of antibiotics, the gut flora is wiped out and you may be susceptible to picking up another infection since the good bacteria are gone and can't fight against the new pathogens, bad bacteria and yeast that may find their way back into the digestive tract.

Probiotics help restore the body’s “friendly” bacteria and help crowd out “unfriendly” bacteria and yeast. This intestinal balance helps your digestive system to work smoothly and helps your immune system fight off the growth of harmful bacteria. Taking probiotics can help replace beneficial bacteria lost by antibiotic use, poor dietary habits, or other various reasons.

Multi-Vitamin

Vitamin C Purpose and benefits…

Prevents Scurvy: Scurvy is caused by an insufficient intake of ascorbic acid. The symptoms of scurvy appear due to the weakening of connective tissues, bones, and blood vessels that include collagen. Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, is required to produce collagen.

Treats Common Cold: Vitamin C enhances the immune system of our body, which protects us from cold and cough. It facilitates the absorption of iron and, therefore, strengthens the body’s resistance to infection. It also fights against viruses.

Lowers Hypertension: People with hypertension are at a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Vitamin C intake helps in lowering body’s blood pressure.

Treats Vasodilation: Treatment with vitamin C has effectively resulted in the proper dilation of blood vessels in the cases of atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, high cholesterol, angina pectoris, and high blood pressure. Results have found that supplements of this vitamin improve blood vessel dilation and protect cardiovascular health.

Cures Lead Toxicity: Lead toxicity is a severe health problem found mostly in children, especially in urban areas. Abnormal development and growth have been found in some children who are exposed to lead. They develop behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and tend to have a low IQ. It may damage the kidneys and increase blood pressure in adults. Vitamin C supplements can reduce the blood lead level.

Cures Cataracts (Eye Disorder): Cataracts are the most common conditions of visual problems. A decrease in the level of vitamin C in the lens of the human eye has been found more common when cataracts are present. An excessive intake of ascorbic acid increases the blood supply to the ocular areas of the body.

Treats Cancer: Researchers have found that a high consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits have a link to a minimized risk for various types of cancer. Studies have also shown that increased consumption of vitamin C relates to a decreased possibility of cancer of the lungs, mouth, vocal chords, throat, colon, rectum, stomach, and esophagus.

Combats Stroke: Vitamin C helps in reducing the risk of stroke, a type of cardiovascular disease. A diet full of vegetables and fruits supplies a good quantity of this vitamin, which maintains the appropriate blood pressure level. It also protects the body from free radicals which could be the reason for the stroke.

Improves your Mood: Vitamin C plays a key role in the production of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine. They affect the mood of a person and are critical to the proper functioning of the brain.

Boosts Immunity: Immunity is another important benefit of this vitamin. Vitamin C is widely known for its contribution to the immune system and its stimulation of white blood vessels in the body.

Repairs Wounds: Vitamin C helps to repair wounds. It facilitates the growth of the connective tissues, which speeds up the process of healing wounds.

Controls Asthma: Ascorbic acid helps to reduce the symptoms of asthma. It helps to protect against the harmful effects of pollution in the human body, which often results in asthma-like symptoms.

Cures Diabetes: One of the chief reasons for diabetes, as found by various studies, is low levels of ascorbic acid. Supplements of vitamin C are beneficial as a cure for diabetes, as they help in the processing of insulin and glucose.

Prevents Heart Diseases: An adequate amount of ascorbic acid is essential for the protection of blood vessels from the damage that free radicals can cause them. This could be a major cause of a heart disease called atherosclerosis. Vitamin C acts as a preventative agent of this heart disease, as well as various other cardiac problems.

Vitamin E Purpose and benefits: Vitamin E, also called alpha-tocopherol, is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps your body make red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. It also boosts the function of your immune system, helping you fight off infection, and may help lower your risk of blood clots by keeping the cells that line your blood vessels healthy. In addition, vitamin E is an important antioxidant that helps stabilize free radicals, rendering them harmless and helping your body rid itself of them. Free radicals form as byproducts of digestion, after you are exposed to toxins or in your skin and eyes when you are in sunlight. Over time, high levels of these molecules can speed the aging process and raise your risk of several diseases. Consuming a daily vitamin E supplement may be effective in helping you avoid many diseases.

Calcium Purpose and benefits: It is an essential mineral for healthy bones, gums, and teeth. Doctors often recommend women to take calcium supplements, particularly those who show early signs of bone problems, such as osteoporosis or osteopenia.

Strengthens Bones: Calcium strengthens the backbone and ensures the right shape of the body, as well as helps to alleviate the presence of back pain. It helps to keep the bones in their proper shape and prevents many skeletal complaints like arthritis and osteoporosis, which could hamper your freedom of movement, as well as be extremely painful.

Weight Management: Calcium efficiently helps in maintaining optimal body weight in both males and females. If there is any deficiency of the mineral in your diet, the body will tend to release parathyroid hormone, which in turn stimulates the bones to release it into your bloodstream. This maintains the balance. On the other side, the parathyroid hormone also stimulates the production of fat and prevents its break down, which can subsequently make you obese. Basically, make sure that you are taking the right amount of calcium, but not too much, so that obesity does not creep in, along with other related health hazards.

Protects Cardiac Muscles: Calcium protects your heart muscles. Sufficient amounts of this essential mineral can help cardiac muscles to contract and relax properly. It also helps the nervous system to maintain a proper pressure in your arteries. If there is a calcium drop, a hormone called calcitriol is released, which contracts the smooth muscles of the arteries, thereby increasing the blood pressure. Cardiac muscles need extracellular calcium ions for contraction. When the intracellular concentration of calcium increases, the ions gather together on the protein troponin. This stimulates the secretion of extracellular fluid and the intracellular stores, including that of the skeletal muscle, which is only activated by calcium stored in the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Prevents Colon Cancer: Adequate calcium prevents the overall risk of colon cancer and suppresses the growth of polyps that can lead to cancer. Its supplementation reduces the risk of adenomas, as well as nonmalignant tumors of the colon. This is a precursor to colon cancer, but it’s still not known if calcium intake minimizes the cancer risk completely. The excess mineral is left in your intestines after your body absorbs what it needs. On its way through the colon, this unabsorbed calcium is believed to bind to the cancer promoters so they’re excreted together from the body. Studies have shown that both food sources of calcium and its supplements provide this protective effect.

Reduces Premenstrual Depression: Adequate amounts of calcium lessen the symptoms of a premenstrual syndrome like dizziness, mood swings, hypertension, and many others. Low levels of the mineral might trigger the release of the hormones that are responsible for premenstrual mood swings including irritability and depression.

Prevents Kidney Stones: Kidney stones are crystallized deposits of calcium and other minerals in the human urinary tract. The most common form of kidney stones is oxalate stones. Previously, it was thought that high intake or high absorption of the mineral develop kidney stones, but the latest studies show that high dietary calcium intake decreases the risk of kidney stones considerably. In short, dietary calcium does not cause kidney stones, but excess amounts of the mineral present in water results in kidney stones. Other factors like high oxalate consumption from leafy vegetables like kale and spinach, as well as reduced fluid consumption, can prove to be a big cause for kidney stones.

Controls Alkaline pH Level: Junk foods, excess sugars, and preserved food items contribute in forming acidity in the body, which in turn could give rise to various disease conditions like cancer, kidney stones, and hypertension. Calcium helps to maintain a healthy pH level, thereby improving your vitality and overall health.

Controls Blood Pressure: Some research has stated that a vegetarian diet with high amount of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and fiber will result in reduced blood pressure. While other researchers concluded with different opinions and said that increased intake results in hypertension. Later, it was seen that the reason for such assorted results was because these studies tested the effect of single nutrients rather than the food sources having that nutritional content. The National Institutes of Health conducted a research study called “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)”. The “typical American” diet was compared with two altered diets that were rich in fruits and vegetables and a combo “DASH” diet stuffed with fruits, vegetables, and calcium. The results showed a decreased blood pressure.

Dental Care: Calcium protects your teeth by keeping the jaw bone strong and sturdy throughout your life, which in turn ensures tight fitting teeth where bacteria cannot thrive. Thus, before your teeth and gums start giving you any trouble, be sure to maintain a calcium-rich diet. Its intake should be high, especially at young ages, so that children can grow up with strong teeth.

Transportation of Nutrients: It helps in the easy movement of nutrients across cell membranes.

Magnesium (As Magnesium Oxide) Purpose and benefits: Magnesium is used by every organ in your body, including your heart, kidneys, bone and muscles. It is essential for activating enzymes and performing other bodily functions. We get magnesium from whole grains, kale, spinach and other foods, but it is also available in supplement form. Magnesium oxide, one of the most popular supplements, is sold under several brand names, including: Uro-Mag, Mag-200, MagGel, Mag-Ox 400. Magnesium oxide benefits people of all ages, regardless of their health. (Unlike many supplements which work almost exclusively in people with deficiencies).Low magnesium in the body is linked to diabetes, kidney stones, osteoporosis and a legion of other health problems. Taking the recommended daily value (RDV) of magnesium through food and supplements will improve these conditions and increase overall well-being. Like other types of magnesium, magnesium oxide has dozens of health benefits. When used on a regular basis, magnesium oxide can help in all the following areas:

• Relieves constipation
• Boosts low magnesium levels
• Lowers the risk of atherosclerosis and hypertension
• Improves breathing in people with asthma
• Reduces pain and tenderness caused by fibromyalgia
• Prevents temporary hearing loss due to loud noise
• Lowers the risk of colorectal cancer
• Reduces irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)

Anxiety Relief: What a lot of people might not know is that magnesium oxide acts as a natural anxiolytic (anti-anxiety). Psychology Today has called magnesium “the original chill pill,” and with good reason. Many studies have confirmed that magnesium oxide positively effects mental health and our stress response systems. Epidemiological studies have confirmed that most people are deficient in magnesium.

Constipation: When you’re busy, it’s easy to eat a poor diet full of fast food, salt, and sugar. Traveling wreaks havoc on our digestive system and can cause constipation. When you can’t “go,” take a magnesium oxide supplement. Magnesium oxide also helps you prevent constipation in the first place and keeps you regular. It is worth noting, however, that magnesium oxide has less bioavailability than other magnesium and, therefore, users would be better off seeking out magnesium citrate for this purpose.

Magnesium Oxide Benefits During Pregnancy: Only a small amount of magnesium enters breast milk during breast feeding so taking a magnesium oxide supplement during pregnancy won’t harm your baby and it may help. Magnesium helps Moms-to-be avoid preeclampsia, a rise in blood pressure during the third trimester and eclampsia (seizures). Doctors give magnesium to pregnant women through IV at the hospital to prevent complications. Since mothers and their babies need magnesium for good health, taking the recommended dosage of a magnesium supplement during pregnancy will be beneficial to both parents and child.

Magnesium Oxide for Full Body Health: Magnesium oxide and other forms of magnesium are vital to the function of your cells. Studies have shown magnesium is vital to maintaining normal blood pressure and a healthy heart. They are partially responsible for:

• Regulating blood pressure
• Energy production
• Muscle contraction
• Regulating nutrients in the body
• Synthesizing body compounds
• Controlling the body’s use of insulin and glucose
• Immune system function
• Controlling chemicals in the brain
• Improving respiratory function

Magnesium Oxide Lowers the Risk of Colorectal Cancer: Many natural supplements can serve as a preventative measure against certain forms of cancer, but magnesium oxide is specifically known to ward off the potential of developing colorectal cancer.

Magnesium Oxide Supplements for Migraine Headaches: Magnesium oxide supplements have been shown to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines. Research at SUNY-Downstate indicates that half of migraine sufferers are deficient in magnesium. According to the American Headache Society, magnesium oxide is often used to facilitate migraine relief or to prevent migraines before they can strike.

Potassium Purpose and benefits: Potassium is a mineral that you don’t want to run low on for any stretch of time. It’s essential for basic functions of the body, and low levels can take a toll on both your brain and heart.

Better Brain Function: Potassium helps brain function. Your brain does its best work when your potassium level is maintained. Go a long time without enough potassium and your brain could end up paying the price. How Potassium Helps: Potassium helps send more oxygen to your brain, which lets it do its job better. When you don’t get enough you’re limiting the amount of oxygen that makes it to your brain and you’ll experience the side effects, which may be subtle at first but will worsen until the problem is corrected.

Better Muscle Function: Your muscles do a lot to help you get through your day, and if they’re not firing on all cylinders it’s going to be hard to get through your daily activities without feeling fatigued. Whether you’re trying to build lean muscle mass or just trying to keep your muscles healthy for life, potassium plays a role. How Potassium Helps: Potassium helps keeps your muscles healthy by working at the cellular level to repolarize the cells of your muscles, helping to repair them faster and more efficiently.

Lower Risk of Heart Problems: Taking in an enough potassium will put you at a lower risk of developing heart problems like stroke and heart disease. How Potassium Helps: Your cardiovascular system benefits from reduced blood pressure, which puts less strain on the arteries and heart. In their more relaxed state, your heart and arteries can function better, resulting in more energy in the present, and a longer life going forward.

Maintains Fluid Balance: Getting enough potassium each day helps keep your internal fluids balanced correctly. Potassium is just one part of the equation, and you’ll want to make sure you’re getting all your important minerals to maintain a balance of electrolytes in your bloodstream. How Potassium Helps: Potassium, as well as calcium and sodium help make up the electrolyte balance in the body. Drinking enough water is essential for the right fluid balance, and you’ll want to determine the right amount of water for your body size and weight and be sure to drink it daily.

Stronger Bones: Potassium is one key to the healthy bone puzzle that you don’t want to forget. Calcium generally gets the most attention when it comes to essential minerals for bone health, but you’ll need to keep an eye on more than just one, including potassium. The body is a system of complex subsystems all working together to keep you moving. Bones don’t rely on just one mineral, but an array of vitamins and minerals to thrive. You probably don’t pay much attention to your bones until they start having problems, so it’s best to be proactive and help them stay healthy long before any problems arise. How Potassium Helps: Along with calcium, phosphorous, manganese, and other key minerals, potassium works to keep your bones strong and healthy. Bones need the right minerals to continue to stay hard and prevent diseases like osteoporosis, making potassium a very beneficial item indeed.

Reduced Stress Levels: We could all use a little less stress in this modern world of ours, and a proper potassium level is key to handling the triggers of everyday life. You may not even notice when you’re low on potassium and it’s causing excess stress because it may seem normal to you now, or you may have labeled yourself as a stressful person. Because potassium is used by every cell in your body to continue with its function, it only stands to reason that when you’re not getting enough you won’t be able to cope as well with stress. How Potassium Helps: Potassium benefits you by keeping your stress down and helping to regulate your blood pressure. You’d be surprised at how much less stressed you’ll feel when your blood pressure is at a healthy level. It also helps to relax your muscles, which keeps you from tensing up and exacerbating the situation.

Vitamin A Purpose and benefits: Vitamin A is a very important nutrient and is also known by the name retinol. It helps in increasing the body’s immunity to fight infections and keeps your eyes and skin moist. Vitamin A or retinol is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in ensuring healthy eyes and bone development. Its deficiency is the most common cause of blindness among children. It can prevent night blindness and dry eyes, while also ensuring clear vision.

Strengthens Immunity: Vitamin A enhances the body’s immunity against infections by increasing the lymphocytic responses against disease-causing antigens. It keeps the mucus membranes moist to ensure better immunity and also enhances the activity of white blood cells. It not only prevents the germs from entering your body but also helps to fight the infections once the germs enter the body system, thereby ensuring a double core protection.

Improves Vision: Vitamin A can aid in improving vision. It enables your eyes to adjust to light changes, keeps the eyes moist, and improves night vision. It can prevent many conditions like dry eyes and night blindness by increasing the adaptability of the human eye to both bright light and darkness. Retinol helps in the formation of visual purple in the eyes, which can improve the eyes and ensure a healthy retina. It can also significantly cut down the risks of cataracts and macular degeneration, which is commonly associated with aging. It is also thought to be beneficial for people suffering from glaucoma.

Skin Care: Vitamin A helps to keep your body free from free radicals and toxins, which might cause damage to your skin. It helps to keep the skin soft and supple by ensuring moisture retention, thereby preventing dryness, keratinization, and skin conditions like psoriasis.

Boosts Bone Health: This essential vitamin strengthens the bones and teeth. Vitamin A helps in the formation of dentin, a layer of hard material just below the surface of the teeth, thereby enhancing its strength.

Prevents Urinary Stones: Vitamin A prevents the formation of urinary calculi due to the formation of calcium phosphate. It also helps to keep the lining of the urinary tract in shape, thereby reducing the recurring chance of stones.

Promotes Muscle Growth: By keeping the bones healthy and retaining their shape, vitamin A plays an essential role in ensuring proper muscle growth in children and growing teens, thereby preventing the chances of developing muscular dystrophy.

Reduces Risk of Acne: Vitamin A helps to cut down excess sebum production, thereby reducing the risk of acne. It also reinforces the protective tissues of the skin, thereby enhancing the overall health and vitality of the skin surface. It is essential for the proper maintenance of the skin tissues and mucus membranes. It flushes out the toxins from your body and cleanses the system by virtue of its antioxidant properties.

Prevents Cancer: Vitamin A is also a powerful antioxidant, which can prevent certain forms of cancer.

Repairs Tissues: Vitamin A plays an important role in replacing old and worn out tissues with new ones, as well as in keeping your bones and teeth strong.

Slows Aging: Vitamin A is famous for its wrinkle-eliminating properties, which can reduce age spots and fine lines. It can slow down the aging process by enhancing the overall health of the skin.

Lowers Cholesterol Levels: It lowers blood cholesterol levels, thereby protecting you against the serious risks of heart diseases and stroke.

Protects Reproductive System: This vitamin is widely known for aiding the health and functionality of the reproductive system.

Zinc Purpose and benefits: The health benefits of zinc include a proper functioning of the immune and digestive systems, controlled diabetes, reduction in stress levels, improvement in metabolism, and an increased rate of healing for acne and wounds. Also, it is helpful in terms of pregnancy, hair care, eczema, weight loss, night blindness, cold, eye care, appetite loss, and many other conditions. Zinc plays a vital role in protein synthesis and helps to regulate the cell production in the immune system of the human body. It is mostly found in the strongest muscles of the body and is found in especially high concentrations in the white and red blood cells, retina, skin, liver, kidneys, bones, and pancreas. The semen and prostate gland in men also contain significant amounts of zinc.

Skin Care: Studies have shown zinc to be an effective home remedy for curing pimples. This mineral is also important for eliminating acne from the skin. It regulates and controls the amount of testosterone in the body, which plays a dominant role in causing acne. In addition to that, zinc is also involved in collagen synthesis. This further promotes normalizing the presence of oil under the skin and improves the maintenance of healthy skin. The open sores that come with acne are practically magnets for bacterial and viral infections and this mineral can stimulate the white blood cell count and reduce the chances of any type of infection.White blood cells are integral in the healing process and can defend the body against many infections, including those that commonly attack canker sores, ulcers, burns, surgical incisions, and other wounds. Zinc is also required to produce collagen, a connective tissue that is required for skin repair and regrowth. Acne can leave permanent scars on the skin and zinc can help to reduce the evidence of those scars.

Treats Eczema: Also called “atopic dermatitis”, eczema is an inflammatory and chronic disorder of the skin and it is mainly caused by a deficiency of zinc in the body. It plays an important role in healing chronic infections and assists the body in restoring its ability to heal properly and completely. This irritation can be cleared up by re-balancing the zinc content in your blood.

Prevents Prostate Disorder: This mineral is very important in dealing with prostate disorders. Its deficiency causes enlargement of the prostate gland and makes it vulnerable to cancer. Studies have shown a reduction in tumor growth in the prostate when normal levels of this mineral are present in the system.

Improves Cognitive Function: Recent research has shown zinc to have a strong impact on mental function because it can pair up with vitamin B6 to ensure the proper function of neurotransmitters that communicate within the body. It is also found in high concentrations in the hippocampus, which controls thought and memory. For those who have suffered an injury, zinc will keep brain function strong, as it is naturally diverted to the other parts of the body for healing purposes.

Improves Senses of Taste & Smell: Zinc has unique benefits, which include the improvement of the senses of taste and smell. Taste buds and olfactory cells are zinc-reliant, and it is necessary for the proper development and growth of those specific cells. Studies have shown that raising zinc levels can improve these two senses and help them function at optimal levels.

Treats Colds: Zinc supplements help in decreasing the severity and duration of cold and other mild illnesses. This mineral reduces the number of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which aggravate the body during cold or other infections. Also, its ability to stimulate white blood cell activity makes it ideal for reducing cold and infections. It helps in protecting against infectious disorders and fungal infections, which include pneumonia and conjunctivitis.

Weight loss: Zinc plays a leading role in weight loss for obese individuals. Many studies have connected it with a decrease in appetite, which prevents overeating. This is related to zinc’s manipulation of the ghrelin hormone, which tells the body when it wants to eat.

Boosts Reproductive Health: Zinc is essential for the repair and functioning of DNA. It is essential for rapid growth of cells and for the building of major constituents of the cell over the course of a pregnancy. The enormous development and enzymatic activity that take place during pregnancy make it one of the most important nutrients for infants and mothers. In males, zinc assists in spermatogenesis and the development of the sex organs, while in females, zinc aids in all the reproductive phases, including the parturition and lactation stages. When it comes to sperm, zinc affects in many ways. First, it acts as a sort of sedative for the sperm so they don’t expend unnecessary energy. It also protects the reproductive DNA inside the sperm from breaking down, so a correct transfer of information is guaranteed. Once the sperm enters the female reproductive tract, it quickly dissipates and has a sudden burst of energy, which propels it up in the tube. Finally, it is an essential part of the enzymes that allow sperm to penetrate the egg.

Stimulates Protein Synthesis: Zinc acts as an antioxidant and is involved in some of the biochemically decisive reactions in the body, including protein synthesis, enzymatic function, and carbohydrate metabolism. Since this mineral is involved in so many integral systems and functions of the body, it cannot be stressed enough – You must include it in your diet!