Zinc is an essential mineral that is naturally present in some foods. Zinc is involved in numerous aspects of the cellular metabolism. It is required for the catalytic activity of approximately 100 enzymes and it plays a role in immune function, protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA synthesis, and cell division. Zinc also supports normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence and is required for proper sense of taste and smell. In addition, it also helps to normal cognitive functioning, vision and fertility. A daily intake of zinc is required to maintain a steady state because the body has no specialized zinc storage system.

Immune system

Zinc is involved in the regulation and maintenance of the normal activity of special immune cells. Some studies have demonstrated a relationship between zinc intake and reduction in the length and severity of a cold.

Wound healing

Because of its immune regulating mechanism, zinc is also critical in wound healing and the various stages of tissue reconstruction. When the skin is ruptured, the inflammatory process is activated and special immune cells are directed to the wound. There they remove bacteria from the wound. Wound healing also consists of growth of new tissue, and zinc is thought to have a beneficial role in new cell formation.

Bone health

Zinc also has a role in normal bone maintenance. Zinc is contained in crystals that form a bone matrix and is required to stimulate bone formation and inhibit bone decomposition. It is probable that zinc, in combination with calcium, might protect against the risk for osteoporosis.

Vision

Researchers have suggested that both zinc and antioxidants delay the progression of age-related macular degeneration and vision loss, possibly by preventing cellular damage in the retina.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has acknowledged the following beneficial effects as a basis for health claims:
• Zinc contributes to normal function of the immune system
• Zinc contributes to normal DNA synthesis and cell division
• Zinc contributes to the protection of cell constituents from oxidative damage
• Zinc contributes to maintenance of normal bone
• Zinc contributes to normal cognitive function
• Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction
• Zinc contributes to normal metabolism of fatty acids
• Zinc contributes to normal acid-base metabolism
• Zinc contributes to normal metabolism of vitamin A
• Zinc contributes to maintenance of normal vision
• Zinc contributes to normal carbohydrate metabolism
• Zinc contributes to normal macronutrient metabolism
• Zinc contributes to normal protein synthesis
• Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal hair
• Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal nails
• Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal skin
• Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood
• Zinc has a role in the process of cell division

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 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

• 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

• 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

Folate – B9

Folate is also known as folic acid or vitamin B9. Folate functions as a co-enzyme in the synthesis of DNA and RNA, and the amino acid metabolism. Folate is required for proper cell division and therefore key during growth and development. Especially during pregnancy, folate is strongly recommended since it helps to prevent neurological disorders of the new-born. One of the most important folate dependent reactions is the conversion of homocysteine to methionine.

EFSA has acknowledged the following beneficial effects as a basis for health claims:
• Folate – B9 contributes to normal psychological functions
• Folate – B9 contributes to normal amino acid synthesis
• Folate – B9 can contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue
• Folate – B9 contributes to normal psychological functions
• Folate – B9 contributes to normal cell division
• Folate – B9 contributes to normal function of the immune system
• Folate – B9 contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism
• Folate – B9 contributes to normal blood formation
• Folate – B9 contributes maternal tissue growth during pregnancy

• 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