Category: Essential nutrients

A 2022 review published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) highlights that linoleic acid is, in fact, not an amino acid at all, but an essential omega-6 fatty acid. This clarification is crucial for understanding its role in nutrition, as fatty acids and amino acids serve very different functions in the human body.

First isolated from pig bile in 1849, choline is a vital organic compound with functions critical to human health, even though it is not a true vitamin. While often grouped with the B-vitamin family, what is choline in vitamins is a common question that clarifies its independent and crucial role.

A dog's body cannot produce omega-6 fatty acids on its own, making dietary intake essential for their health. This makes understanding what are omega-6 fatty acids for dogs, their benefits, and how to balance them a crucial part of responsible pet ownership.

Over 60% of the human body is water, making it unequivocally the most needed nutrient for survival. While the body can last weeks without food, it can only survive days without water. Every cell and system relies on water to function, transporting nutrients, flushing toxins, and maintaining temperature.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the human body cannot produce vitamin C on its own and does not store it in large quantities. This makes regular dietary intake of this essential nutrient necessary to prevent deficiency and maintain proper bodily function.

According to research, many people, particularly pregnant women, do not consume enough choline to meet their daily needs. Understanding precisely how many eggs to meet choline needs is a simple yet effective strategy for boosting your intake of this vital nutrient.

According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin B12 is a crucial nutrient that occurs naturally almost exclusively in animal-based foods. Also known as cobalamin, this vitamin is essential for nerve function, DNA synthesis, and red blood cell production.

According to a 2021 study, vegans typically have lower levels of EPA and DHA compared to omnivores, but this can be effectively managed with dietary planning. Vegan diets do not include fish or fish oil, the most common source of omega-3s for the general population. However, with the right knowledge, it is entirely possible for a vegan to meet all their omega-3 needs through plant-based foods and supplements.

Globally, iron deficiency anemia remains the most common nutritional disorder, affecting billions and underscoring the vital importance of minerals for human health. So, what are the three minerals necessary for our body, and what essential roles do they perform?

Over half of the human brain's weight is composed of lipids, and up to 20% of that lipid content is comprised of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA. This remarkable fact highlights the profound reason why the brain requires omega-3 fatty acids for its structural and functional health throughout every stage of life.