Calcium is a mineral that plays an important role in the development of the human body. It is common knowledge that calcium is important in preventing osteoporosis. However, calcium also provides structural support in the development of muscles. Deficiency in calcium could cause obesity because it triggers the release of parathyroid hormone that stimulates the production of fats in the body and inhibits its breakdown. It also reduces the blood pressure. Calcium also has the ability to fight colon cancer by binding itself with cancer cells to inhibit its growth and progression. It is also beneficial to women suffering from PMS or premenstrual syndrome such as depression, mood swings, anxiety, water retention, breast tenderness, and headaches.

Carrageenan, a form of sulfated polysaccharide that is extracted from red algae, potently inhibits infection of a wide range of sexually transmitted HPVs. It works as an HIV fusion or entry inhibitor. It is a food additive that is commonly used. It also works as a thickening agent. It’s the vegetarian counterpart of casein – the protein that is isolated from milk and applied to thicken foods. Casein is also utilized for producing paints, and is used as glue to hold a label to a bottle of beer. Carrageenan is the ingredient utilized to de-ice frozen airplanes sitting on tarmacs during winter storms. Carrageenan also works as a gel. It coats insides of the stomach like massage oil or gooey honey.

Grade A UHT Low Fat Milk is a kind of commercialized milk with less calories than whole milk that is produced through UHT or Ultra High Temperature pasteurization, a process that could be described as the heating of milk for a couple of seconds at a temperature above 135°C. This gives it a longer shelf life due to the elimination of spores in the milk. Besides the process used, another characteristic of Grade A UHT Low Fat Milk is its outstanding quality. It has passed the standards required to be considered as Grade A, which is primarily to have a low bacterial count.

Honey is mainly made up of fructose and glucose. It contains chrysin, vitamin C, catalase that gives honey its antioxidant property. The composition of honey depends on the flowers from which it is derived from. It is sometimes used as sweetener or sugar substitute because of its various health benefits and its great taste. Its glucose content gives a boost of energy while fructose supplies the body with sustained energy. It improves the overall performance, improves endurance and reduces muscle fatigue. It has antibacterial property that makes it an effective cleansing tonic. Honey is also used in various home remedies such as alleviating hangover, curing sore throat, and insomnia.

Lactase is an enzyme produced in the small intestine. This enzyme plays an important role in helping the lactose break down into two simpler sugars: glucose and galactose. Lactase supplements are given to those who are diagnosed of being lactose intolerant, which means they are unable to process lactose properly because they are lactase deficient. Most lactose intolerant individuals suffer from diarrhea, heartburn, bloating, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome and abdominal cramping after ingesting milk products. The undigested lactose moves into the colon where it is fermented by bacteria, this produce carbon dioxide, hydrogen and other acids that cause the diarrhea, gas and cramps. Those who are Lactase deficient where also found to have problems with calcium absorption.

Sodium Polyphosphate is used primarily as preservative for poultry, seafood and meats. A label of E451 for food preservatives is given to this group of compounds. Studies on its mutagenecity and carcinogenicity, performed by Ishidate et al. (1984), obtained a negative result saying that no chromosomal aberrations or development of cancer occurred in the in vitro samples of hamster fibroblast cell line. This group of compounds is however, moderately irritating to the skin and eyes. Furthermore, no teratogenic effects were exhibited after maintaining a dose level of 238 mg/kg in mice. These are also present in toothpaste and soaps as they improve their cleansing abilities. With supporting clinical studies, the Food and Drug Administration identified sodium polyphosphate as “generally recognized as safe” alongside baking soda, vinegar and salt.

Vanilla is derived from the orchid plant of the genus Vanilla. It is commonly used as flavouring in candies, sweets, pastries, cakes, and biscuits. It has many medicinal properties. It is a potent antioxidant that fights free radicals from causing damages to the living cells and tissues which may cause weakened immune system, lost of vision and hearing, and may even lead to cancer. Vanilla can protect the body from wear and tear. It is also used as aphrodisiac that improves male potency, prevents erectile dysfunction, and increases libido. It also aids in proper digestion. Vanilla contains Eugenol and Vanillin Hydroxybenzaldehyde that fights infections, and reduces fever. It has sedative, relaxing, and tranquilizing properties.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin with known toxicity. Although its toxicity has been exaggerated, it is a factor worth keeping in mind. Carotine is converted in the human body to Vitamin A, it comes from vegetable sources. Vitamin A is necessary for normal growth and for skeletal development.

Vitamin A Palmitate, is a synthetic but more stable version of retinol. However, because the skin has to further break down retinyl palmitate, much higher concentrations are required to provide the similar benefits with that of Vitamin A acetate. This form accounts for 80% of the vitamin A found on skin. A more sensible usage of vitamin A palmitate would involve topical application to load the skin with retinol. It readily penetrates the epidermis and dermis for absorption to be converted into retinoic acid, which keeps the skin soft, supple and plump. Clinical studies have shown that vitamin A palmitate increased skin composition led to improved collagen formation promoting better skin elasticity. Too much consumption of this vitamin would lead to hypervitaminosis A that could affect the liver, the organ that stores vitamin A in such form. Pregnant women are advised to stay away from high doses of topical synthetic forms of vitamin A because of its teratogenic effects.

Vitamin D- The fast soluble vitamin D is perhaps the most underrated nutrient that is produced when sunlight touches the skin. But it is extremely vital for bone health, as without it the body cannot absorb the calcium that you may provide it in the form of supplements. With the advent of beauty products with high sun protection factor, this nutrient is becoming less available to our bodies. Even weaker sunscreens with just SPF-8 prevent the body considerably from producing vitamin D. Diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, certain cancers, multiple sclerosis, and even schizophrenia may stem from deficiency of this vitamin. You can provide vitamin D to your body through supplements and foods like mushrooms, tuna, eggs, dark green leafy vegetables, salmon, sardines, mackerel, fortified dairy products and cereals, yoghurt, and milk.

Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol is a secosteroid and is structurally similar to steroids, such as testosterone and cholesterol. Depending upon its biochemistry and physiology, it has both inactive ( unhydroxylated cholecalciferol ) and active ( hydroxylated cholecalciferol at 1 and 25 position)forms in the body. The active form is actually a hormone and thus has profound effects on the body. It maintains the proper functioning of several body organs but its major function is to increase the blood calcium and phosphorus level by promoting their absorption from the intestines and then later to promote the reabsorption of calcium form the glomerular filtrate in the kidneys. In this way it has profound effects on the health of the bones by not only supporting the remodeling process but also proper bone mineralization.