Nutrients

This article explores eight essential minerals crucial for maintaining good health, detailing their roles in the body and the potential risks of deficiencies. It also provides practical advice on incorporating these vital nutrients into your diet through everyday foods and supplements.

One of the most important nutrients for your health isn’t found in food — instead, it’s made by certain bacteria in your gut if you feed them right. Short-chain fatty acids are crucial for digestive health and can fight inflammation throughout your body, as well as combat cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and type 2 diabetes. So, how can you ensure that your gut microbiome has what it needs to produce these life-giving organic compounds?

Creatine supplies energy to cells throughout your body — especially muscle cells. Many athletes take it to build muscle and improve athletic performance. But is it also good for your brain, your heart, and your immune system? Or is it a dangerous fad? Do you need to eat meat to get enough, or should you take a supplement?

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that prepares your body for sleep and confers many other health benefits. But melatonin levels can decrease as we age, and our modern lifestyles and schedules can interfere with melatonin production. So is supplementation safe and effective? Can we get it from food? And are there other things we can do to keep our melatonin at optimal levels?

GABA is a neurotransmitter that tells your brain and nervous system to calm down. It’s a crucial chemical for health and well-being because of its ability to counter the “fight-or-flight” neurotransmitters that cause us to act to avoid danger. But not everyone has adequate supplies. Do you have enough GABA in your body to keep anxiety at bay? What are some strategies to achieve optimal GABA levels to protect your health and mood?

What are nightshade vegetables? And do they cause inflammation or other adverse health effects? Should you avoid eating nightshades? This article wades into the controversies and questions surrounding the nightshade family of vegetables to discover the truth.

Iodine is one of those “Goldilocks” nutrients that can be problematic if you don’t get enough or if you get too much. And if you don’t eat animal products, there are only a few reliable sources. So should you supplement? Should you consume iodized salt? Read on to get the facts about iodine: why it’s critical to your health, and how to ensure your consumption is “just right.”

Your favorite fruits and vegetables get their color and much of their health-boosting power from compounds called polyphenols. One of the most abundant and best-studied of these compounds is quercetin. Known for its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, quercetin may help with heart, brain, and gut health. But where can you find quercetin in food? And are food sources enough, or should you be supplementing?

Polyphenols are compounds that give many plant foods their vibrant colors and distinctive tastes. They not only protect plants from disease and sun damage, but when you eat those plants, you’re getting similar benefits. So what does the evidence say about how polyphenols can fight chronic disease, and what the best sources are?

Copper is one of those quiet, essential nutrients that you don’t hear much about. Without it, though, you can’t survive. And both too little, and especially too much, can damage your heart, brain, bones, skin, and immune system. So how much do you really need? What are the best sources? How easy is it to get enough on a plant-based diet? And how can you avoid copper toxicity?

The word “antioxidant” is thrown around a lot in the health and wellness space. But what does it really mean? Why are antioxidants good for you? Are there any you should avoid? And which foods and beverages pack the most beneficial antioxidant punch?

Selenium, once thought to be poisonous, is now recognized as an essential nutrient. It plays a key role in many aspects of your health, including metabolism, immunity, and protection against various diseases. But can you get too much of this nutrient? What are the best food sources of selenium, and can you get enough from a plant-based diet?