American Ginseng is a plant having leaves growing in a circle. The flowers are umbrella shaped and are yellowish green in color. American ginseng can be used only if it is four to six years old. Hence, it is expensive, but, is now grown on farms. American ginseng roots and the root hairs are used to make products. American ginseng is more relaxing than the Asian ginseng that has stimulating effects. American ginseng is available in water and alcohol extracts, capsules, powders and tablets. This is also obtainable in various combinations and herbs. American ginseng is not recommended for children. This herb helps in strengthening the body as well as in treating disease. These can trigger side effects and also can interact with other supplements, herbs or medications. The side effects of American ginseng include insomnia, anxiety, high blood pressure, diarrhea, vomiting, vaginal bleeding, nosebleed, headache and breast pain. Women in the stages of breast feeding or pregnancy are not recommended.

Biotin, also known as vitamin H, but is more commonly called Biotin. It is a vitamin which is B-complex in nature and is water soluble. Biotin helps in transferring carbon dioxide along with helping in various metabolic reactions. A steady blood sugar level can also be maintained by the help of biotin. Hair and nails are strengthened by the consumption of biotin. Therefore, a lot of hair and cosmetic products use biotin as one of its ingredients. The body’s daily requirement of vitamin B7 is produced by the intestinal bacteria. This therefore reduces the chances of vitamin B7 deficiency. There a large number of foods that contain biotin in large quantities. Swiss chard, tomatoes, liver,eggs, almonds, cumcuber, cauliflower, legume, soybeans, raspberries, carrots are some of those foods.

Folate belongs to the B complex group, which is vital for metabolic processes in the body. It decreases levels of amino acid homocysteine in the body, ensuring protection against heart ailments. It also reduces the risk of neural tube and other birth defects like cleft lip and palate, and various congenital heart defects. It provides protection against different forms of cancer and heart disease. It is beneficial in treatment of megaloblastic anemia. It also works as a coenzyme in transfer of formyl and hydroxymethyl groups in various biological systems, and in carbon metabolism. It assists the body in getting rid of homocysteine, a blood toxin affecting heart muscle and making cholesterol deposit in heart muscle. It also prevents stroke and heart attack.

Ginkgo Biloba (derived from the Chinese word gin=silver, kyo=apricot) tree, which has been around for more than 270 million years, is regarded as a symbol of longevity. The popularity of the Ginkgo tree can be attributed to the biloba (two-lobed) leaves of the tree, along with the inner seed of the fruit for the invaluable therapeutic properties they offer to mankind. As such, you will see the good effects of ginkgo biloba extracts provided you use high quality extract supplements. Ginkgo biloba extract can be used to treat various ailments ranging from simple disorders like anxiety, dizziness and headache to more complex ones such as memory problems, depression, asthma, and lung congestion. Due to its ability to improve blood flow to the brain, it is used as a brain tonic by many people.

Korean Ginseng, a perennial herb, grows in Korea and is considered as an essential element to maintain the balance of the body. It usually grows anywhere between 60 -80 centimeters. Korean Ginseng is supposed to have a sweet taste initially and later you may experience a bitter taste. It has beautiful oval shaped dark green leaves. Korean ginseng consists of ginsenosides, which helps one to deal with stress. This ingredient in Korean ginseng also helps to improve blood circulation. Other benefits of ginseng include reduction of sugar level, reduction of infections, stimulation of appetite, reduction in symptooms of migraine and many more. Panaxtriol is found to be present in Korean ginseng and hence it becomes a useful supplement for body builders and athletes.

L-Arginine is an amino acid which helps our body oxidize glucose and fat and increase the body’s lean muscle mass. It is responsible for performing many numerous functions in our body. Our body produces L-arginine with the helps of other enzymes, but at a fairly inefficient rate. So patients with a history of cardiovascular dysfunction or any other heart disease are likely to get benefited from L-Arginine supplementation. Supplements of L-arginine prevent platelet aggregation and lowers blood pressure. L-arginine when taken in safe amounts can benefit men having sterility problems. Many body-builders also use it as a supplement because it improves blood circulation and stimulates the release of nitric oxide which in turn dilates the blood vessel. High protein food like nuts, dairy products, meat, seafood and chocolate are rich in L-arginine.

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.

Riboflavin, an easily absorbed micronutrient, is also known by the name of Vitamin B2. It plays a key role in maintaining the health of animals as well as humans. A wide variety if cellular processes require this vitamin. It plays a key role in energy metabolism, just like other B vitamins. It is the kind of micronutrient which required for the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and ketone bodies. There are a lot of food products that are a good source of Vitamin B2. Matured soybeans, yeast, mushroom, livers, kidneys, leafy vegetables, milk, cheese, almonds are such products that are rich in this vitamin. But riboflavin does get destroyed if exposed to light. Riboflavin is a non toxic vitamin. Hence, there is no harm in taking it orally.

Selenium is considered good for health if taken in small amounts. It is a trace mineral which when incorporated into protein, makes selenoproteins that helps stop cellular damage due to free radicals. The major source of selenium is plant foods and its content in the food depends on the selenium content in the soil where it was grown. Also known as selenium acid, selenium sulfide and selenium yeast, this mineral is available in seafood and meat products. The main function of selenium is to work with vitamin E in order to maintain the elasticity and preservation of tissues. It not only helps in improving the supply of oxygen and blood to the muscles in the heart but also slows down the aging process by enhancing endurance.

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.

Vitamin A- Otherwise known as retinol is the vitamin which helps the eyes to adjust to changes in light levels as well as keeping the eyes, skin and mucous membranes moist. Vitamin A enters the human diet mostly from animal foods, but as well as this some plant foods contain beta-carotene, which the body is then able to convert into Vitamin A. Retinol has antioxidant properties that help the body to repair tissue and cellular damage by neutralizing free radicals. Although there seems to be some evidence that retinol may help in cases of established artery disease the American Heart Association does not recommend it as a necessary supplement until there is more evidence.

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 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 D3 can be taken in supplement form as well especially in countries where sunlight is minimal or if the person is not exposed to sun. It is important for the absorption of calcium and phosphorous. It helps in prevention of fractures, osteoporosis, cancer and high blood pressure. Vitamin D3 helps in treating vitamin D deficiency such as Rickets and Osteomalacia. It’s especially important for pregnant women, post menopausal women and older people as its deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, hip fractures and slows growth of fetus. It can also be fatal to both mother and child and in some cases result in multiple sclerosis at a later stage of the child.

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.