Resource List Government Nutrition Internet Addresses FDA, Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , Weight-control Information Network Natio...
Vitamin D Vitamin D Other Name(s): calciferol (vitamin D-3), cholecalciferol, dihydrotachysterol (a synthetic vitamin D), ergocalciferol (vitamin D-2), ergosterol (provitamin D-2), 7-dehydrocholesterol (provit...
Folic acid Folic Acid Other name(s): vitamin B 9 , folacin, folate, tetrahydrofolic acid, tetrahydropteroylglutamic acid, THF General description Folic acid, folate, or vitamin B 9 , is a water-soluble vitamin....
Biotin Biotin Other name(s): vitamin H (archaic), coenzyme R, d-biotin, hexahydro-2-oxo-1H-thienol[3,4-d]-imidazole-4-pentatonoic acid General description Biotin is classified as a B vitamin. It is water so...
Vitamin K Vitamin K Other name(s): antihemorrhagic factor, menadiol, menadione (vitamin K-3), menaquinone (vitamin K-2), methylphytyl naphthoquinone, phylloquinone (vitamin K-1), phytonadione General descripti...
Zinc Zinc Other name(s): zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate General description Zinc is an essential trace element. It is almost as plentiful in the human body as iron , and is concentrated in the eyes, brain, ...
Vitamin E Vitamin E Other name(s): alpha tocopherol, alpha-tocopherol, tocotrienol, 5,7,8 trimethyl-tocotrienol General description Vitamin E is a series of fat-soluble compounds called tocopherols. Alpha-toco...
St. John's Wort St. John's Wort Botanical name(s): Hypericum Perforatum. Family: Hypericaceae Other name(s): amber, goatweed, hardhay, hyperici herba, klamath weed, tipton weed General description St. John's wort is...
Taurine Taurine Other name(s): 2-aminoethane-sulphonic acid General Description Taurine is a conditionally essential amino acid present in high amounts in meat and fish. Normally, an adequate amount of tauri...
Tryptophan Tryptophan Other name(s): a-amino-b-[3-indollyl]-propionic acid Unsubstantiated claims Please note that this section reports on claims that have NOT yet been substantiated through scientific studies....
Tyrosine Tyrosine Other name(s): a-amino-b-[p-hydroxyphenyl]-propionic acid Unsubstantiated claims Please note that this section reports on claims that have NOT yet been substantiated through scientific studi...
Valerian Valerian Botanical name(s): Valeriana officinalis, Centranthus ruber. Family: Valerianaceae Other name(s): all-heal, amantilla, carpon's tail, heliotrope, setewale, setwall, vandal root General descr...
Vitamin C Vitamin C Other Name(s): anti-scorbutic agent, ascorbic acid, calcium ascorbate, dehydroascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate General Description Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin found ...
Histidine Histidine Other Name(s): a-amino-b-[4-imidazole]-propionic acid Claims Histidine is reported to help treat allergies, ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis, and anemia. It is also considered beneficial in imp...
Kelp Kelp Botanical name(s): True kelps belong to the genus laminaria, family Laminariaceae. Giant kelps belong to the genus macrocystis, family Lessoniaceae. Bladder kelps belong to the genus nereocystis...
Phenylalanine Phenylalanine Other name(s): a-amino-b-phenyl-propionic acid Unsubstantiated claims Please note that this section reports on claims that have NOT yet been substantiated through scientific studies. Ph...
Proanthocyanidins Proanthocyanidins Other name(s): anthocyanidin, anthocyanadins, anthocyanin, celphinidin, cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, peonidin, petunidin General description Proanthocyanidins and ...
Saw Palmetto Saw Palmetto Botanical name(s): Sabal, Sabal serrulata, Serenoa repens Common names: Saw palmetto, shrub palmetto, dwarf palm General description The saw palmetto tree is native to North America. It ...
Shark Cartilage Shark Cartilage General description Shark cartilage is made from powdered shark skeleton. Sharks have no true bone: Their skeletons are composed of cartilage. Shark cartilage is white in color with a...
Spirulina Spirulina Other name(s): Spirulina fusiformis, Spirulina maxima, Spirulina platensis General description Spirulina is a primitive single-celled algae that grows in the ocean and includes many species...
Pyridoxine Pyridoxine Other name(s): vitamin B 6 , pyridoxal phosphate, pyridoxamine, pyridoxol, pyridoxyl-5-phosphate General description Pyridoxine, also known as vitamin B 6 , is a water-soluble vitamin. Lik...
Isoleucine Isoleucine Other name(s): a-amino-b-methyl-n-valeric acid Unsubstantiated claims Please note that this section reports on claims that have NOT yet been substantiated through scientific studies. Isole...
Lactobacillus Acidophilus Lactobacillus Acidophilus Other name(s): Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, acidophilus General description Lactobacilli are bacteria that produce lactic acid from the metabolic bre...
Leucine Leucine Other name(s): a-amino-isocaproic acid Unsubstantiated claims Please note that this section reports on claims that have NOT yet been substantiated through scientific studies. Leucine may impr...
Licorice Root Licorice Root Botanical name(s): Glycyrrhiza glabra l. Family: Fabaceae Other name(s): licorice, sweet root General description Licorice is a herbaceous perennial commonly grown in southeastern Europ...
Magnesium Magnesium Other name(s): magnesium carbonate, magnesium citrate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate General description Magnesium is an essential element involved in the proper f...
Manganese Manganese Other name(s) Manganese citrate, manganese gluconate, manganese sulfate General description Manganese is an element, but is referred to in nutritional terms as a mineral. Manganese is conce...
Methionine Methionine Other name(s): a-amino-g-methylthiol-n-butyric acid Overview Methionine is an amino acid which is required in protein synthesis as well as synthesis of a number of additional physiologic c...
Milk Thistle Milk Thistle Botanical name(s): Silybum marianum Other name(s): milk thistle, marian thistle, Mary thistle, silibinin, silicristin, silidianin, silmar, silybin, silybum, silymarin, General descriptio...
Molybdenum Molybdenum Other name(s): ammonium molybdate General description Molybdenum is an essential element and a co-factor for several enzymes. It is stored primarily in the liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, b...
Nettle Nettle Botanical name(s): Urtica dioica L. Family: Urticaceae Other name(s): common nettle, greater nettle, stinging nettle General description The stinging nettle is a noxious plant with tiny stingi...
Potassium Potassium Other name(s): KCl, potassium chloride General description Potassium is a highly reactive, metallic element normally found in nature as a "salt," such as potassium chloride or potassium nit...
Selenium Selenium Other name(s): selenious acid, selenium methylselenocysteine, selenomethionine, sodium selenite General description Selenium is an essential trace element and antioxidant . It is a cofactor ...
Iron Iron Other name(s): carbonyl iron, desiccated ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulfate General description Iron is an essential element important in the development of re...
Lysine Lysine Other name(s): a,e-diamino-n-caproic acid General Information Lysine is an essential amino acid necessary for the synthesis of protein as well as the metabolism of carbohydrates and fatty acid...
Serine Serine Other name(s): a-amino-b-hydroxy-propionic acid General Description Phosphatidylserine is a fat-soluble phospholipid that occurs endogenously in humans. It is the most abundant phospholipid in...
Grape Seed Extract Grape Seed Extract Botanical name(s): Vitis vinifera Other name(s): oligomeric proanthocyanidins , OPC, pycnogenol General description The grape has a long history of medicinal uses. Ancient Egyptian...
Green Tea Extract Green Tea Extract Botanical name(s): Camellia sinensis. Family: Theaceae Other name(s): green tea, Chinese tea, green sencha tea, Japanese tea, Yame tea General description Green tea is obtained from...
Hawthorn Hawthorn Botanical name(s): Crataegus oxyacantha Other name(s): English hawthorn, haw, May, Mayblossom, Maybush, Mayflower, whitethorn General description The hawthorn is a woody shrub or small tree ...
Iodine Iodine Other Name(s): iodide, organic iodine, potassium iodide, sodium iodide General description In 1922, researchers discovered that the thyroid gland needs iodine to produce thyroid hormones and p...
Kava Kava Kava Kava Botanical name(s): Piper methysticum, Piperis methystici rhizoma. Family: Piperaceae Other name(s): ava, awa, gea gi, kava, kava-kava, kawa kawa, methysticum, yaqona (pronounced yangona) Ge...
Brewer's Yeast Brewer's Yeast Other name(s): Faex medicinalis, medicinal yeast, Saccharomyces carlsbergensis, Saccharomyces uvarum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae General description Brewer's yeast is produced from a num...
Cysteine Cysteine Other name(s): a-amino-b-thiolpropionic acid Unsubstantiated claims Please note that this section reports on claims that have NOT yet been substantiated through scientific studies. Cysteine ...
Cystine Cystine Other name(s): di-[a-amino-propionic]-b-disulphide Unsubstantiated claims Please note that this section reports on claims that have NOT yet been substantiated through scientific studies. Cyst...
Glucosamine Glucosamine Other name(s): chitosamine, 2-amino-2deoxy-D-glucose General description Glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance that may alleviate symptoms associated with osteoarthritis. Glucosa...
Glutamic Acid Glutamic Acid Other name(s): a-aminoglutaric acid Reported uses Glutamic acid is often used in the treatment of hypochlorhydria and achlorhydria. Unsubstantiated claims Please note that this section ...
Goldenseal Goldenseal Botanical name(s): Hydrastis canadensis. Family: Ranunculaceae Other name(s): golden seal, yellow root General description Goldenseal is a perennial herb native to North America. The roots...
Antioxidants Antioxidants Other name(s): free radical scavengers General description Antioxidants help prevent free radicals from damaging the body by neutralizing them. A free radical is an atom or molecule that...
Bee Pollen Bee Pollen Other name(s): pollen General description Pollen is found in flowering plants. Bees collect pollen while they are searching for nectar. Pollen can be gathered from bees or harvested from p...
Bone Meal Bone Meal General description Bone Meal is produced from defatted, dried animal bones that are ground to a fine powder. It is used as a mineral supplement and is high in calcium and phosphorus. Today...
Borage Oil Borage Oil Other name(s): gamma-linolenic acid, GLA General description Borage oil consists primarily of the essential fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid which is nec...
Garlic Garlic Botanical name(s): Allium sativum. Family: Liliaceae General description Garlic consists of fresh or dried bulbs of the botanical plant Allium sativum, which is cultivated worldwide. The bulb ...
Ginger Ginger Botanical name(s): Zingiber officiale Roscoe. Family: Zingiberaceae Other name(s): gingerroot, zingiberis rhizoma General description Ginger is a perennial plant with grasslike leaves. Ginger,...
Ginkgo Biloba Ginkgo Biloba Botanical name(s): Ginkgo biloba. Family: Ginkgoaceae Other name(s): maidenhair tree General description The herb ginkgo biloba is the extract from the dried leaves and seeds of the tre...
Ginseng Ginseng Botanical name(s): Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng, an endangered species), Panax repens. Family: Araliaceae Other name(s): American ginseng, Chinese ginseng, Korean gins...
Glycine Glycine Other name(s): aminoacetic acid Unsubstantiated claims Please note that this section reports on claims that have NOT yet been substantiated through scientific studies. There is conflicting ev...
Alpha Lipoic Acid Alpha Lipoic Acid Other name(s): ALA, alpha-lipoic acid, TA, thioctic acid General description Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant that is quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract; it i...
Cobalt Cobalt Other name(s): cobalamin, cyanocobalamin , hydroxyocobalamin General description In elemental form, it is a hard gray metal. Its only well-recognized function is as a component of vitamin B-12...
Cranberry Cranberry Botanical name(s): Vaccinium macrocarpon. Family: Ericaceae Other name(s): bearberry, craneberry General description The cranberry is an evergreen plant native to the northeastern United St...
Elderberry Elderberry Botanical name(s): Sambucus canadensis, S. nigra, S. racemosa, S. ebulus. Family: Caprifoliaceae Other name(s): black elder, European elder, elder flower, sambucas General description The ...
Feverfew Feverfew Botanical name(s): Chrysanthemum parthenium, Tanacetum parthenium. Family: Asteraceae Other name(s): altamisa, bachelor's buttons, featherfew, featherfoil General description Feverfew is rel...
Alfalfa Alfalfa Botanical name(s): Medicago sativa. Family: Fabaceae Other name(s): hay, lucerne, purple medic General description Alfalfa is a perennial grown worldwide as a feedstock for cattle. Its appear...
Dong Quai Dong Quai Botanical name(s): Angelica archangelica. Family: Umbelliferae Other name(s): angelica, Chinese angelica, Japanese angelica General description Dong quai is a fragrant perennial or biennial...
Echinacea Echinacea Botanical name(s): Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia, E. pallida. Family: Asteraceae Other name(s): black sampson, purple coneflower, rudbeckia, sampson root General description Echinacea...
Aloe Aloe Botanical name(s): Aloe africana, Aloe barbadensis, Aloe ferox, Aloe perryi, Aloe spicata, Aloe vera. Family: Liliaceae. Over 200 known species of aloe exist. Other name(s): Aloe vera, burn plan...
Aspartic Acid Aspartic Acid Other name(s): aminosuccinic acid Unsubstantiated claims Please note that this section reports on claims that have NOT yet been substantiated through scientific studies. Some athletes c...
Bilberry Bilberry Botanical name(s): Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum. Family: Ericaceae Other name(s): blueberry, bog whortleberry, northern bilberry General description Bilberries are a type of blu...
Black Cohosh Black Cohosh Botanical name(s): Cimicifuga racemosa. Family: Ranunculaceae Other name(s): black snake root, bugbane, bugwort, rattleroot, rattleweed, squaw root General description Black cohosh is a ...
Cascara Sagrada Cascara Sagrada Botanical name(s): Rhamnus purshiana. Family: Rhamnaceae Other name(s): bitter bark, sacred bark General description Cascara sagrada, which means "sacred bark," was first used by Nati...
Cat's Claw Cat's Claw Botanical name(s): Uncaria tomentosa. Family: Rubiaceae Other name(s): una de gato General description Cat's claw is a climbing vine that grows in many countries in Central and South Ameri...
Cayenne Cayenne Botanical name(s): Capsicum annuum, C. frutescens. Family: Solanaceae Other name(s): Capsaicin, capsacum, African chili, chili, hot pepper, Louisiana long pepper or sport pepper, paprika, red...
Chaste Tree Chaste Tree (Chasteberry) Botanical name(s): Vitex agnus-castus L. Family: Verbenaceae Other name(s): chasteberry, cloister pepper, hemp tree, monk's pepper, vitex General description Vitex agnus-cas...
Citrulline Citrulline Other name(s): a-amino-d-ureido-n-valeric acid Unsubstantiated claims Please note that this section reports on claims that have NOT yet been substantiated through scientific studies. Besid...
Pantothenic Acid Pantothenic Acid Other name(s): vitamin B 5 , chick antidermatitis factor (archaic), pantothenyl alcohol General description Pantothenic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that belongs to the B group of...
Riboflavin Riboflavin Other name(s): vitamin B 2 , lactoflavin General description Riboflavin is a member of the B family of vitamins ( B Complex ). Riboflavin is a water-soluble vitamin and excess amounts are ...
Copper Copper Other name(s): chelated copper, copper histidinate, cupric acetate General description Copper is a soft, reddish-orange metal and an essential trace element. Its functions in the body are stil...
EPA EPA Other name(s): eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids, omega-3 oil(s) General description Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid found in abundanc...
Flaxseed Flaxseed Botanical name(s): Linum usitatissimum. Family: Linaceae Other name(s): flax, linseed, lint bells, winterlien General description Flaxseed is an annual, grown in temperate and tropical regio...
Niacin Niacin Other name(s): vitamin B 3 , niacinamide, nicotinamide, nicotinic acid, nicotinic acid amide General description Niacin is a member of the B family of vitamins ( B Complex ). Niacin is a water...
Thiamin Thiamin Other name(s): vitamin B-1, thiamin (U.S. spelling), thiamine (European spelling) General description Thiamin is a member of the B family of vitamins ( B Complex ). It was the first water-sol...
Vitamin A Vitamin A Other name(s): b-carotene, beta-carotene , retinol, vitamin A-1 General description Vitamin A, or retinol, was the first substance isolated in the group called vitamins. It is one of the fo...
Vitamin B-12 Vitamin B 12 Other name(s): cobalamin, cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin General description Vitamin B 12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for cell division and is found only in animal-bas...
Arginine Arginine Other name(s): a-amino-d-guanidino-n-valeric acid Unsubstantiated claims Please note that this section reports on claims that have NOT yet been substantiated through scientific studies. Argi...
Calcium Calcium Other name(s): calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, calcium glubionate, calcium gluconate, calcium lactate, calcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate General description Calcium is the most abun...
Chromium Chromium Other name(s): trivalent chromium, chromium picolinate General description Chromium is an essential trace metal involved in regulating blood sugar and enhancing insulin action. It is also ne...
Coenzyme Q-10 Coenzyme Q-10 Other name(s): Co Q-10, Q-10, ubiquinone, ubiquinol General description Coenzyme Q-10 is a fat-soluble quinone similar in structure to vitamins E and K. Since its discovery 40 years ago...
Lecithin Lecithin Lecithin is also known as alpha-phosphatidylcholines, lecithinum ex soya, sojalecithin, or soy lecithin. General description Lecithin does not refer to a single chemical but rather to a grou...
Beta-Carotene Beta-Carotene Other name(s) vitamin A , b-carotene, provitamin A General Beta-carotene belongs to a group of provitamins which are related to vitamin A , called carotenoids. Their reddish-violet pigm...
Choline Choline Other name(s) choline bitartrate, choline chloride, choline dihydrogen General description Choline is a water-soluble component of many important chemicals within the body. Although not all c...
Vitamin B Complex Vitamin B Complex General description Vitamin B-complex contains all the vitamins in the B group. It appears that the different B vitamins are related to each other and work closely together in the b...
Fiber Fiber Other name(s): b-glucan, cellulose, chitosan, gellan, guar gum, gum, hemicellulose, konjac mannan, lignin, mucilage pectin General description Fiber is present to some degree in almost all plan...
Lutein Lutein Other name(s): luteol, xanthophyll General description: Lutein is a yellow pigment that belongs to a group of substances called carotenoids. Carotenoids are believed to play an important role ...
Melatonin Melatonin Other name(s): N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, melanocyte-contracting principle, skin-lightening factor General description: Melatonin is a not a nutrient, but a hormone produced by the pinea...
Valine Valine Other name(s): a-amino-isovaleric acid Unsubstantiated claims: Please note that this section reports on claims that have NOT yet been substantiated through scientific studies. Valine may help ...
Alanine Alanine Other name(s): a-alanine, a-amino-propionic acid, b-alanine, b-amino-propionic acid Unsubstantiated claims Alanine may be beneficial in treating diabetes because it aids glucose metabolism an...