Tag: Immune function

According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 50% of the global population is affected by vitamin D insufficiency, a nutrient vital for bone health and immune function. Much of the confusion surrounding this nutrient stems from the different forms available, specifically differentiating the general term "vitamin D" from the more specific "vitamin D3".

Carotenoids, the pigments that give many fruits and vegetables their brilliant yellow, orange, and red colors, are vital for human health. From supporting vision and fortifying the immune system to protecting skin from sun damage, here is how humans use carotenoids to maintain a vibrant, healthy life.

Micronutrients are vital for human health, with deficiencies in common ones like iron and vitamin A affecting millions worldwide, especially children and pregnant women. These essential vitamins and minerals, while needed in small amounts, are critical for countless biochemical processes that sustain life.

According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that up to 2 billion people worldwide may be affected by zinc deficiency. In functional medicine, addressing this common issue means looking beyond simple dietary intake to uncover the root causes of the widespread and diverse symptoms of zinc deficiency.

In 1962, a geneticist named Ferruccio Ritossa observed changes in the chromosomes of fruit flies exposed to heat, a discovery that would eventually lead to identifying heat shock proteins (HSPs). These essential molecular chaperones are now known to be critical for cellular health and have a wide array of benefits, from boosting muscle recovery to enhancing longevity.

Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable blindness in children worldwide, affecting hundreds of thousands annually. This essential fat-soluble nutrient, more accurately a group of compounds known as retinoids, is crucial for numerous bodily processes beyond just vision.

The body must convert dietary vitamin A into specific active compounds to carry out its biological functions, with over 50% of the body's retinoid stores located in the liver. Understanding the complex conversion process is crucial to comprehending what is the functional form of vitamin A and how it impacts overall health.

According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition in all its forms affects billions of people globally. This encompasses both undernutrition, a deficiency of nutrients, and overnutrition, an excess, with severe consequences for human health and development.

Cysteine hydrochloride is a semi-essential amino acid, meaning the body can produce some of it, but dietary intake is also crucial, especially during times of high protein synthesis or illness. The benefits of cysteine hydrochloride stem from its role as a precursor to glutathione, one of the body's most important antioxidants, essential for protecting cells from damage.

Severe deficiency of vitamin C can lead to the disease scurvy, highlighting its crucial role in human health. But beyond preventing deficiency, what is the primary purpose of vitamin C? This vital nutrient, also known as ascorbic acid, is fundamental for numerous physiological functions essential for growth, repair, and protection throughout the body.