Barley Grass

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

Chlorophyll is commonly found in the green pigmentation of plants, sometimes also referred to as the “plant’s blood”. Chlorophyll is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxifier. It protects the muscles and cells from harmful free radicals. It contains high levels of Vitamin A, C and E that can reduce inflammation. Chlorophyll helps the liver build red blood cells and boosts the immune system because of its Vitamin K, folic, iron, calcium and protein content. It has anti-carcinogenic properties, delaying and preventing certain diseases from developing. Chlorophyll is ideal for body builders and athletes because it stimulates red blood cell that helps in building and repairing muscle tissues.

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 essential to all living cells and is a vital component to a healthy diet. Calcium absorption for the body largely depends on magnesium to facilitate this.

Pantothenic Acid, also called vitamin B5, which is a water-soluble vitamin required by the human body. Pantothenic acid is needed to form coenzyme-A (CoA), and is vital in the metabolism and synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Phosphate (Phosphorus) is perhaps one of the most important mineral, which in form of phosphate as an intercellular anion serves a multitude of functions. Not only are phosphates essential for the utilization of most vitamins belonging to the B complex, but they are vital for energy storage and the overall metabolism. But that is not all, phosphate is essential for healthy bones and teeth, calcium with phosphorus are required for them and soft tissues as well. But also body fluids require phosphates for excretion of hydrogen ions through the kidneys. Somewhere around one per cent of the body weight should be phosphorus in some form, therefore it is vital to supply your body with sufficient phosphates through milk, cheese, nuts, peanut butter, peas and other sources, including supplements.

Potassium, a mineral that is quite common in our food. Potassium is needed for proper muscle growth, nervous system and brain function and to help balance the PH of our bodies.

Sodium is the element that has the atomic number 11 in the periodic table and is commonly known as the main component in the table salt, together with chloride. Interestingly enough, it is probably the one dietary component which does require limitation rather than supplementation, since that average daily nutritional requirement is around half a gram per day. This most popular food seasoning, salt, is providing the most common source of sodium and chloride in human diets, but is generally overused and may cause health problems, such as high blood pressure, if consumed overly generously. The suggested dose of table salt, or rather the upper limit portion, would be somewhat less than 6 gram per day, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, referenced by FDA. In the UK this limit is set at four grams per day.

Thiamine is a water-soluble vitamin with no known toxic effects if taken with other members of the vitamin B complex. Thiamine is essential to a strong appetite and to enable the body to use sugars and other carbohydrates.

Vitamin A is needed by the retina of the 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 the health or our skin, bone metabolism, immune function. It is also commercially produced and administered as esters such as retinyl acetate commonly called Vitamin A acetate. Its defeciency can cause blindness. Other problems include impaired immunity, hypokeratosis (white lumps at hair follicles), keratosis pilaris and squamous metaplasia of the epithelium lining the upper respiratory passages and urinary bladder to a keratinized epithelium.

Vitamin B6 is soluble in water and is essential for good health. Our nervous system is dependent on this vitamin to function properly. It keeps the thymus, lymph nodes and the spleen that make white blood cells healthy, through cellular growth and protein metabolism. A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to a weakened ability to fight infections and will weaken the immune system. Vitamin B6 helps in the formation of Hemoglobin which increases the oxygen that is carried to the tissues. A deficiency can cause a type of anemia. Vitamin B6 helps to convert carbohydrates and other nutrients into glucose which maintains the sugar levels in our blood stream. Vitamin B6 is available in meat, fish, fortified cereals, poultry, some fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin C is L-ascorbic acid, or the active component of Vitamin C. Ascorbate, which is an ion of the ascorbic acid, is required for many metabolic reactions and is manufactured internally by most organisms, except humans. It is an essential nutrient and needs to be provided through nutrition. While oranges were traditionally deemed a good source of Vitamin C, the amount provided by an orange is dwarfed by the amount provided by the kakadu plum the richest Vitamin C plant resource of the world. Other notable sources are red peppers, parsley, Kiwifruit, Guava, Broccoli, Camu Camu, rose hip, Jujube, papaya, strawberries, lemon, melon and similar. Vitamin C is essential for tyrosine, carnitine and collagen synthesis, is the most widely available antioxidant and furthermore is vital for blood vessels, cartilage and scar tissue.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that is known for protecting the tissues of the body from damage caused by free radicals.

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.