Vitamin D plays a key role in promoting calcium absorption in the intestine and maintaining adequate blood calcium and phosphate concentrations to enable normal bone mineralization. In this way, vitamin D is important for the proper functioning of the skeleton, and may prevent that bones to become brittle as in osteoporosis.

Other effects

Vitamin D has beneficial effects on muscle function and strength. The vitamin is also involved in cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function and reduction of inflammation. There is accumulating epidemiologic data that a low vitamin D status is inversely associated with disorders such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has acknowledged the following beneficial effects as a basis for health claims:
• Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal muscle function
• Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system and healthy inflammatory response
• Vitamin D contributes to the normal absorption/utilisation of calcium and phosphorus and maintenance of normal blood calcium concentrations
• Vitamin D contributes to the normal cell division
• Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones
• Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal teeth

Vitamin E is a generic term covering all tocopherols and tocotrienols which qualitatively exhibit the same biological activity as α−tocopherol. Therefore, vitamin E refers to α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocopherols, plus α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocotrienols.

Antioxidant

Vitamin E is long recognised as the body´s major lipid soluble antioxidant, and thus is fundamental in maintaining the integrity and functionality of the cellular membranes of all cells of the human body. As an antioxidant, vitamin E acts within cell membranes, constructed from unsaturated fatty acids and protects the cell membranes from oxidation. In doing so, the vitamin is oxidised itself and must be ‘recycled’ back to its active form, typically by vitamin C.

Due to its role as an antioxidant, vitamin E may play a key role in the protection against conditions associated with increased oxidative stress, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, disorders involving chronic inflammation, cancer, and neurologic disorders.

Other effects

In addition to its antioxidant function, research demonstrated specific roles of vitamin E in signal transduction, gene expression, and regulation of cellular functions, including immune response. There is substantial evidence that vitamin E has a role in the prevention of atherosclerosis by inhibiting low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and anti-inflammatory actions.
EFSA has acknowledged the following beneficial effects as a basis for health claim:
• Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cell constituents from oxidative damage

Vitamin C plays a key role in several bodily functions including:

Antioxidant – Protection

Vitamin C is well known for its antioxidant properties; it cooperates well with vitamin E and prevents alone and in combination with vitamin E against oxidative damage from free radicals. By limiting oxidative damage, vitamin C helps to reduce the risk for chronic diseases including hearth diseases. Some research has suggested that vitamin C may help treat cancer by fighting oxidative damage.

Normal structure of tissues

Sufficient daily intake of vitamin C improves repair of tissues such as bones, teeth, skin and blood vessels. This is because vitamin C contributes to the production of collagen which is primary for tissue repair.

Nervous system

Vitamin C supports the normal function of the nervous system. Its primary role is to support the production (biosynthesis) of noradrenaline. In addition, vitamin C is involved in the modulation of neurotransmitter receptors that are needed for normal psychological functions.

Immune system

Vitamin C plays an important role in the normal function of the immune system. It supports the immune defence primarily through scavenging free radicals. Free radicals are produced when immune cells attack invading bacteria and viruses. Large amounts of free radicals are also produced during extreme physical exercise and jeopardizes the immune system. Because vitamin C is such a strong antioxidant, it counteracts the harm of free radicals.

Blood iron levels

Vitamin C supports healthy iron levels. It prevents anaemia by improving the absorption of iron from plant-based foods.

Energy levels

Vitamin C is important for sufficient energy levels and reduces tiredness and fatigue. It is important for the production of energy formation in cells.

EFSA has acknowledged the following beneficial effects as a basis for health claims:

• Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cell constituents from oxidative damage
• Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation and the normal function of bones, teeth, cartilage, gums, skin and blood vessels
• Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the nervous system
• Vitamin C increases non-haem iron absorption
• Vitamin C contributes to a normal function of the immune system
• Vitamin C contributes to maintain the normal function of the immune system during and after intense physical exercise
• Vitamin C contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism
• Vitamin C can contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue
• Vitamin C contributes to normal psychological functions
• Vitamin C contributes to the regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin E

• Thiamine – B1
• Riboflavin – B2
• Niacin – B3
• Pantothenic acid – B5
• Pyridoxine – B6
• Biotin – B7
• Folate – B9
• Cobalamin – B12

Since most B-vitamins are combined in the same food sources (grains, meat and fish), they easily interact and support each other’s function. These vitamins mainly function as co-enzymes in a variety of metabolic and biochemical reactions. B vitamins are essential for:
• Maintaining the energy metabolism
• Cardiac function
• Proper growth and development
• Maintenance of cells and organs

Cobalamin – B12

Cobalamin is required for proper red blood cell formation, neurological function, and DNA synthesis. It also functions as a co-factor in the homocysteine metabolism and is key in the haemoglobin synthesis.

EFSA has acknowledged the following beneficial effects as a basis for health claims:
• Cobalamin – Vitamin B12 contributes to normal neurological and psychological functions
• Cobalamin – Vitamin B12 contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism
• Cobalamin – Vitamin B12 can contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue
• Cobalamin – Vitamin B12 contributes to normal cell division
• Cobalamin – Vitamin B12 contributes to normal red blood cell formation
• Cobalamin – Vitamin B12 contributes to normal energy metabolism
• Cobalamin – Vitamin B12 contributes to a normal function of the immune system

• Thiamine – B1
• Riboflavin – B2
• Niacin – B3
• Pantothenic acid – B5
• Pyridoxine – B6
• Biotin – B7
• Folate – B9
• Cobalamin – B12

Since most B-vitamins are combined in the same food sources (grains, meat and fish), they easily interact and support each other’s function. These vitamins mainly function as co-enzymes in a variety of metabolic and biochemical reactions. B vitamins are essential for:
• Maintaining the energy metabolism
• Cardiac function
• Proper growth and development
• Maintenance of cells and organs

Biotin – B7

Biotin has an important role in the enzymatic breakdown of macronutrients (fats, carbohydrates, and proteins) which is important for the energy metabolism. This vitamin B7 improves the synthesis of keratin and therefore it is important for the normal growth of hair and the health of the skin and nails.

EFSA has acknowledged the following beneficial effects as a basis for health claims:
• Biotin – B7 contributes to macronutrient metabolism
• Biotin – B7 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism
• Biotin – B7 contributes to normal psychological functions
• Biotin – B7 contributes to maintenance of normal skin and mucous membranes
• Biotin – B7 contributes to normal function of the nervous system