Biotin is required for the fatty acids and glucose formation so that essential energy is produced. Biotin also assists in the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Biotin is available in food naturally and the dietary sources of biotin comprise of brewer’s yeast, cauliflower, bananas, egg yolks, salmon, liver, sardines, mushrooms and legumes. The deficiency of biotin is uncommon. The other possibilities for having biotin as deficiency is genetic biotin deficiency, surgical stomach removal, excessive consumption of alcohol and infant dermatitis. Biotin deficiency leads to hair loss, skin rash, heart problems and high cholesterol. Biotin supplements are effective for eczema, acne, diaper rash, brittle nails and hair loss. People having a history of seizures should avoid using biotin. This is a B vitamin that helps in converting food to energy. It is mandatory that minimum 30 mg is taken daily as there are adequate health benefits. Normal biotin intake strengthens fingernails and also controls blood sugar levels.

Boron is a trace element with several health benefits. It is used for hormone regulation as it increases estrogen levels in post-menopausal women. It improves cognitive function for improved performance of hand-eye coordination, attention, perception, and memory. Boron may also be beneficial for people with joint disorders such as osteoarthritis. Boron helps regulate the use of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus in the body. In one study it was shown to control cell growth. This mineral also plays a role in how the body uses energy from fats and sugars.

Calcium, a mineral vital to the human body, Calcium is necessary for many bodily functions, such as muscle contraction, and proper heart function.

Chromium is a natural trace mineral in human nutrition and is needed for proper metabolism of sugar in humans. It is vital for metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. It helps move blood sugar from the bloodstream into cells to be utilized as energy and turn fats, carbohydrates, and proteins into energy. Chromium helps stimulate fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis, which are needed for brain function and other body processes. It activates numerous enzymes that are required to drive many chemical reactions essential to life. Chromium supplements also improve glucose tolerance in people with Turner's syndrome, a disease associated with glucose intolerance. It is also vital for insulin metabolism. It regulates hunger and decreases cravings.

Copper is a naturally occurring mineral in foods like shell fish, vegetables, avocado fruits, legumes, grains, nuts, and beef. As copper originates from the earth's crust, the surface water and ground water contains small traces of copper. Copper is implicated in many biochemical reactions within the human cells.

Folic Acid is an essential water soluble vitamin. Though folic acid is needed for all age groups, folic acid supplements is necessary for aging people, pregnant women, smokers, women on oral contraceptives and heavy alcohol drinkers as their body have difficulty in absorbing folic acid through food. Folic acid has many vital functions to perform in our body. It helps in preventing heart disease, stroke, and may help prevent cervical, lung and colon cancer and helps in maturation of red blood cells. It’s recommended that pregnant women take folic acid supplementation through out pregnancy as it helps prevent premature delivery, low birth weight and fetal growth retardation. It may also help reduce the risk of renal disease in children and is necessary for fertility in both women and men. Some studies suggest that there is a relationship between folic acid and allergic diseases and depression. It also reduces risk of bone fractures, osteoporosis and helps prevent rheumatoid arthritis. It increases lipolysis and may help in preventing obesity and type 2 diabetes. In a study conducted it increased the short-term memory, mental agility and verbal fluency of people who consumed folic acid supplements (800mgs) daily. Folic acid supplements are also used to relieve hot flushes in postmenopausal women and helps correct anemia caused by vitamin B 12 deficiencies.

Iodine, a necessary element used by the body to make the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine. These Thyroid hormones are needed to maintain a healthy metabolic rate and cellular metabolism.

Iron is one of the most commonly available chemical elements which are used in the form of metal. When in the presence of oxygen and moisture, iron gets oxidized very easily. Therefore it is never available on the surface of earth. Iron is a metal whose properties can be changed by mixing it with the various other metals. Humans need iron as a daily dietary substance. There are a number of supplements available in market which provides the daily required dose of iron. But the best way to consume iron is by eating the food that is rich in iron. Fish, poultry, beans, lentils, leafy vegetables are some of food items that are a good source of iron. Although, research shows that it is easier to digest the iron found in meat and meat products than the vegetables.

Magnesium is the chemical element found in the periodic table with the atomic number 12. This alkaline earth metal is one of ten most common elements in the known universe and also very prominently present in the human body. It manipulates polyphosphate compounds, most prominently the DNA, RNA and the ATP. Numerous enzymes rely on magnesium ions to function properly. Most common application of magnesium in medicine may be the addition to antacids and laxatives. This metal is not found as a free element naturally on Earth, generally the metal is obtained through electrolysis of magnesium salts. The most common deficiency in the United States with staggering two thirds of the population is the magnesium deficiency. Magnesium can be obtained through vegetables, tea, cocoa, cereals, coffee, nuts and spices.

Manganese is a mineral that is required in small amounts to manufacture enzymes necessary for the metabolism of proteins and fat. It also aids the immune system and blood sugar balance. Manganese is also involved in the production of cellular energy, reproduction and bone growth.

Molybdenum is essential in regulating pH balance in the body, enhancing the body’s ability to burn fat. Very small amounts are needed. Molybdenum is necessary for the proper function of certain enzyme-dependent processes, including the metabolism of iron. Molybdenum also promotes normal cell function and helps in the activation of certain enzymes, it is a key component of the metabolic enzyme xanthine oxidase. Molybdenum is found in the liver, bones and kidneys. It supports bone growth and teeth strength. A deficiency may cause impotence in older men. High intakes of sulfur and diets high in refined and processed foods may decrease molybdenum levels.There is no recommended dietary allowance for molybdenum.

Niacin, also called Vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin needed for the conversion of food into energy so that it may be used by the body. Niacin also helps metabolize protein, sugar and fat.

Pantothenic Acid, commonly called Vitamin B5, it is a water-soluble member of the vitamin B complex. Pantothenic acid is involved in adrenal gland function and is required to fight stress.

Potassium- Potassium is one of the essential minerals required for proper physiological functioning of the body. It plays an important role in the regulation of heart muscles. It helps to convert glucose to glycogen. Glycogen is essential for muscle formation. Potassium also helps to propagate nerve impulses by exchanging ion within cells and also helps in muscle contractions. It helps in balancing blood pressure. It controls the proper functioning of kidney. An average adult needs 3-5 gm of potassium daily. Due to deficiency of potassium, body observes tiredness. Other deficiency symptoms are weakness of muscles, low blood pressure, vomiting, poor kidney functions and Heart arrhythmias. Severe potassium shortages quickly direct to electrolyte disproportion which involves malfunctioning of nerves, kidney and heart.

Pyridoxine Hydrochloride.

Riboflavin, also called Vitamin B2, is naturally manufactured by the body. Riboflavin is needed for the proper use of oxygen and amino acids, carbohydrates and fatty acids. Riboflavin is also utilized by Vitamin B6 in the body and is used to manufacture niacin. Riboflavin is especially needed when eating large amounts of protein.

Selenium is a chemical element and a trace mineral deemed essential to human nutrition. It is found in many food sources, like beef liver, turkey, chicken breast, roast beef, white bread, whole eggs, rice, oatmeal, pasta, Brazil nuts, tuna and many others. Just recently a correlation between selenium, Vitamin E and cancer prevention has been scientifically proven. This essential trace element nutrient is nevertheless toxic in excessive doses, but is vital as a cofactor where antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase is required. Besides the belief that selenium may have a role in prevention from cancer, it has been observed that population in HIV and AIDS stricken countries where the soil is deficient in selenium have larger outbreaks than areas where selenium is sufficiently present. Other uses, such as in prevention from recurrence of tuberculosis, have been recommended by researchers.

Thiamine, also called Vitamin B1 or Thiamin, is needed to help the body utilize energy from proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Thiamine is commonly found in breads and cereals. Thiamine is water-soluble and is concentrated in muscle tissue as it passes thru the body.

Vanadium is a chemical element, which is listed in the list of elements as number 23, defining its atomic number. It is a metal and does not have a prominent role in human biology. It has shown in rats and chickens that a vanadium deficiency may result in reduced growth and reproduction deficiencies. Vanadium sulfate is deemed a very popular dietary supplement for the interaction with blood insulin. While providing some glucose control in people suffering from type 2 diabetes, proof for the claimed effect with body building athletes has not yet been scientifically established. In athletes with high levels of energy requirements a stabilized blood sugar may result in prolonged endurance, furthermore, vanadyl sulfate has gained popularity because of the apparent muscle recovery effect.

Vitamin A is a vitamin is needed by the retina of our eye in the form of a specific metabolite, the light-absorbing molecule retinal. This molecule is absolutely necessary for both scotopic and color vision. It also palys an important role in mainating body health, such as skin health, bone metabolism and immune function. Vitamin A is also commercially produced and administered as esters such as retinyl acetate commonly called Vitamin A acetate. Its defeciency can cause blindness. Some other problems include impaired immunity, keratosis pilaris and squamous metaplasia of the epithelium lining the upper respiratory passages and urinary bladder to a keratinized epithelium.

Vitamin B12- Also called Riboflavin, B2 is a water absorbed vitamin of which the body must replenish its supplies each day as it cannot be stored. It is necessary for the production of red blood cells and, like the other B vitamins, it works at supporting it supports energy production by helping in the metabolism of various foods.B2 is required for healthy skin as well as hair growth, the nails and has a role in regulating the activity of the thyroid gland. It is also necessary in order that the body can process amino acids found in proteins and fats and to activate vitamin B6 and folic acid.

Vitamin C is an obvious essential nutrient and a deficiency of this will cause scurvy. It is also an antioxidant and acts as an electron donor for eight different enzymes.

Vitamin D is actually a group of prohormones, all fat soluble, whereby ergocalciferol, or Vitamin D2 and cholecalciferol, also known as Vitamin D3 are the most common forms. The Vitamin D3 form is made when human skin is exposed to UV B radiation. The active form of Vitamin D is calcitrol and it is required in the body to manage phosphorus and calcium levels, but, among other functions, to affect anti tumor activity, immunomodulatory functions and much more. Vitamin D, or more accurately calcitrol, is being bound to a carrier protein, which allows it to be transported throughout the body to the various destinations. The Vitamin D receptors, steroid and thyroid hormone receptors, can be found in most organs, including the brain, skin, heart, breast, prostate and gonads.

Vitamin E, an anti-oxidant nutrient, neutralizes free radicals in the human body to prevent cell damage. This fat-soluble vitamin not only aids the formation of red blood cells but also helps in the absorption of vitamins A, C and K. It is also very helpful to fight various ailments. Since the human body cannot produce vitamin E on its own; it has to be incorporated in our daily diet. This can be done either by consuming foods that are rich in vitamin E or by taking vitamin E supplements. The RDA for adult males is 10 mg. while 8 mg. is the daily requirement for adult females. Expecting and nursing women should compulsorily take 10 mg. of vitamin E supplements. Vitamin E supplements are most effective when consumed with food.

Vitamin K- The lipophillic, hydrophobic vitamins needed for the posttranslational modification of certain proteins is denoted by the Vitamin K. It is required mostly for blood coagulation. K3, K4 and K5 are the three types of synthetic Vitamin K that are used in many areas. Pet food industry makes use of Vitamin K3 whereas Vitmanin K5 is used to inhibit fungal growth. The main sources of vitamin K are spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and a few fruits like kiwifruit and avocado. Recent research shows that vitamin K helps in increasing bone mass. Research also shows that the consumption of vitamin K helps in promoting osteotrophic processes while at the same time slowing the osteoclastic processes. This process is done by achieving the calcium bonding in the bones.

Zinc, a mineral needed for cell division and repair as well as proper functioning of the immune system. Zinc is also an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body.