Folate and folic acid are terms that are often used interchangeably to describe the essential water-soluble vitamin, vitamin B9. Folate is the natural form of this vitamin found in food, whereas folic acid is the synthetic form that is added to fortified foods or is found in supplements.
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is an essential water-soluble vitamin. We cannot make vitamin B12 ourselves and are completely dependent on dietary sources of the vitamin.
It is primarily derived from food of animal origin, such as meat, dairy, poultry, eggs and fish. It is also found in fortified cereals, some fermented foods and fortified nutritional yeast. Vitamin B12 is stored in the liver and this stockpile can last for up to 4 years without replenishment.
When most people think of the role of iron in human physiology, they think of the transport of oxygen via red blood cells throughout the body. And indeed, this is a key function of iron. However, iron has numerous other functions, including in maintaining a healthy immune system, and is a vital mineral for general health, wellbeing and vitality.
Vitamin D has become something of a ‘super’ vitamin in recent years but what is it and how does it work?
To start with, calling vitamin D a vitamin is a bit of a misnomer; it’s actually a fat-soluble pro-hormone that is primarily produced in the skin in response to ultraviolet-B (UVB) light; hence the nickname, the ‘sunshine vitamin’.
Let’s speak about thyroid function. The thyroid gland is one of the major hormone-secreting (endocrine) glands in the body. It is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in front of the windpipe at the base of the throat.
It is composed of two conical right and left lobes that are joined at the front by a central bridge called the isthmus. The thyroid gland is the largest gland of the endocrine system weighting between 15–25g.
Folate and folic acid are terms that are often used interchangeably to describe the essential water-soluble vitamin, vitamin B9. Folate is the natural form of this vitamin found in food, whereas folic acid is the synthetic form that is added to fortified foods or is found in supplements.
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is an essential water-soluble vitamin. We cannot make vitamin B12 ourselves and are completely dependent on dietary sources of the vitamin.
It is primarily derived from food of animal origin, such as meat, dairy, poultry, eggs and fish. It is also found in fortified cereals, some fermented foods and fortified nutritional yeast. Vitamin B12 is stored in the liver and this stockpile can last for up to 4 years without replenishment.
When most people think of the role of iron in human physiology, they think of the transport of oxygen via red blood cells throughout the body. And indeed, this is a key function of iron. However, iron has numerous other functions, including in maintaining a healthy immune system, and is a vital mineral for general health, wellbeing and vitality.
Vitamin D has become something of a ‘super’ vitamin in recent years but what is it and how does it work?
To start with, calling vitamin D a vitamin is a bit of a misnomer; it’s actually a fat-soluble pro-hormone that is primarily produced in the skin in response to ultraviolet-B (UVB) light; hence the nickname, the ‘sunshine vitamin’.
Let’s speak about thyroid function. The thyroid gland is one of the major hormone-secreting (endocrine) glands in the body. It is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in front of the windpipe at the base of the throat.
It is composed of two conical right and left lobes that are joined at the front by a central bridge called the isthmus. The thyroid gland is the largest gland of the endocrine system weighting between 15–25g.
