| Major Functions | Signs of Shortage | Nature’s Sunshine Sources | Dietary Sources | Herb Sources | |
| Calcium | Essential for blood clotting and the structure of bones and teeth, needed for working of nerves and all other electrically active body tissues | Stunted growth, rickets, osteoporosis, convulsions | Iron, Mega-Chel, Trace Mineral Maintenance, Nutri-Calm, SKL Formula, Super Supplemental Vitamin & Mineral, Vitamin Calcium w/ Magnesium & Vitamin D, SynerPro Calcium-Magnesium, SynerPro Multiple Vitamins and Minerals | Dairy products, green vegetables, dried legumes | Valerian, white oak bark, pau d’arco, kelp barberry, horsetail |
| Chromium | Involved in glucose and energy metabolism, helps regulate blood sugar | Disturbances of glucose fat and protein metabolism | Chromium, SynerPro Multiple Vitamins and Minerals, Mega-Chel, Trace Mineral Maintenance, Super Supplemental Vitamin & Mineral, Target P-14 | Brewer’s yeast, chicken, dairy products, seafood, fresh fruit, potatoes with skin, whole grains | Oat straw, red clover, bee pollen, juniper berries, damiana |
| Cobalt | Promotes normal red blood cell formation, functions in activation of several enzymes, necessary for the manufacture of Vitamin B12 in the body | None reported in humans, possibly a factor in pernicious anemia | Trace Mineral Maintenance, Vitamin B12 | Organ and muscle meats, milk | Golden seal, capsicum, dong quai, pau d’ arco, echinacea, mullein |
| Copper | Needed by cells to utilize oxygen, blood formation, functioning of enzymes involved in iron metabolism | Anemia, low white blood cell count, bone demineralization | Mega-Chel, Trace Mineral Maintenance, Super Supplemental Vitamin & Mineral, SynerPro Multiple Vitamins and Minerals | Lentils, wheat germ, blackstrap molasses, some nuts, mushrooms, honey | Scullcap, sage, white oak bark, horsetail, yucca |
| Iodine | Needed for thyroid gland, thyroid hormones | Enlarged thyroid (goiter) | Mega-Chel, Mineral Maintenance, Super Supplemental Vitamin & Mineral, SynerPro Multiple Vitamins and Minerals, Target TS II | Seafood, iodized salt | Kelp, black walnut hulls |
| Iron | Needed in manufacturing of myoglobin and hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying compound in blood) and enzymes involved in energy metabolism | Iron-deficiency anemia, reduced resistance to infection, fatigue | Children’s Chewable Vitamin, Iron, Mega-Chel, Trace Mineral Maintenance, SKL Formula, Super Supplemental Vitamin & Mineral, SynerPro Multiple Vitamins and Minerals | Liver, meat, eggs, legumes, whole grains, green leafy vegetables | Yellow dock, mullein, blue cohosh, butcher’s broom, kelp, bilberry, burdock, red raspberry, dandelion |
| Magnesium | Needed by all cells important in electrical activity of nerves and muscles, activates enzymes, protein synthesis, influences cellular calcium levels | Growth failure, behavioral disturbances, weakness, spasms | Magnesium, Mega-Chel, Trace Mineral Maintenance, SKL Formula, Super Supplemental Vitamin & Mineral, Calcium w/ Magnesium & Vitamin D, SynerPro Multiple Vitamins and Minerals | Beans, nuts, whole grains, leafy green vegetables | Oat straw, kelp, licorice, peppermint, burdock, marshmallow, horsetail, parsley |
| Manganese | Cell metabolism, fat production, enzyme function | None reported for humans | Mega-Chel, Trace Mineral Maintenance, SKL Formula, Super Supplemental, SynerPro Multiple Vitamins and Minerals | Avocados, beans, oatmeal, nuts, buckwheat | Red raspberry, bilberry, ginger, gotu kola, white oak bark |
| Phosphorus | Cell energy (ATP formation), key element in cell reactions, structure of bones and teeth | Weakness, demineralization of bone, loss of calcium | Trace Mineral Maintenance, SKL Formula, Super Supplemental Vitamin & Mineral, SynerPro Calcium-Magnesium, SynerPro Multiple Vitamins and Minerals | Meat, dairy products, beans, peas, cereals, poultry, grains | Bilberry, peppermint, yellow dock, fennel, mullein, hops |
| Potassium | Major mineral in body cells, regulates body water balance, nerve function and many cell reactions | Muscular weakness, paralysis | Combination Potassium, Mega-Chel, Trace Mineral Maintenance, SKL Formula, Super Supplemental Vitamin & Mineral | Avocados, bananas , apricots, potatoes, and many other foods | Parsley, blessed thistle, sage, catnip, hops, peppermint, feverfew, kelp, red clover |
| Selenium | Functions in close association with vitamin E, is an antioxidant | Anemia (rare) | Defense Maintenance, Mega-Chel, Trace Mineral Maintenance, Super Supplemental Vitamin & Mineral, SynerPro Multiple Vitamins and Minerals | Seafood, meat, grains | Catnip, ho shou woo, valerian, blue cohosh, barberry, blessed thistle, ginseng |
| Zinc | Needed in the structure of cell enzymes, a factor in enzymes involved in digestion, plays a role in prostate health, aids wound healing | Growth failure, infertility, delayed wound healing | Mega-Chel, Trace Mineral Maintenance, Super Supplemental SynerPro Multiple Vitamins and Minerals, Target P14, Target TS II, Zinc | Widely distributed in food, especially pumpkin and sunflower seeds | Bilberry, capsicum, sage, spirulina, echinacea, gotu kola |
| Major Functions | Signs of Shortage | Nature’s Sunshine Sources | Dietary Sources | Herb Sources | |
| Vitamin A | Essential for normal function of the retina; necessary for growth of bone; necessary for ovarian and testicular function; functions as a co-enzyme | Night blindness, increased susceptibility to infections, respiratory infections, dry skin | A & D, Defense Maintenance, BetaCarotene, Mega-Chel, SynerPro Multiple Vitamins and Minerals, Super Supplemental Vitamin Mineral | Fish liver oils, carrots, parsley, spinach, collards, cantaloupe | Parsley |
| Thiamine(B1) | A co-enzyme necessary for converting carbohydrates into energy for muscles and nervous system | Loss of appetite, fatigue, mental problems, beriberi | SynerPro Vitamin B Complex, Balanced B, Nutri-Calm | Brewer’s yeast, rye and wholewheat flour, beans, seeds, brown rice | Beef/Lamb Liver * |
| Riboflavin(B2) | A component in two coenzymes needed for normal tissue respiration; activates vitamin B6 | Cracks and sores in corners of mouth, light-sensitive eyes, dizziness | SynerPro Vitamin B Complex, Balanced B, Nutri-Calm | Almonds, brewer’s yeast, cheese, chicken, organ meats, wheat germ | Beef/Lamb Liver * |
| Niacin | Aids in release of energy from foods; helps synthesize DNA; a component of two enzymes necessary for utilization of tat, tissue respiration and production of sugars | Muscle weakness, general fatigue, loss of appetite, dry or coarse skin, pellagra | Niacin, SynerPro Vitamin B Complex, Balanced B, Nutri-Calm | Beef liver, brewer’s yeast, white meat of chicken, sunflower seeds, meats | Beef/Lamb Liver * |
| Pyridoxine(B6) | Acts as a co-enzyme for metabolic functions affecting the utilization of carbohydrates, protein and fat; promotes conversion of tryptophan to niacin or serotonin | Irritability, mental confusion, weakness, kidney stones, insomnia, anemia | B6, SynerPro Vitamin B Complex, Balanced B, Nutri-Calm, Monthly Maintenance, SynerPro Multiple Vitamins and Minerals | Avocados, bananas, brewer’s yeast, whole wheat, brown rice, lentils | Beef/Lamb Liver * |
| PantothenicAcid (B5) | Acts as a co-enzyme in metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and fat | None proven | Pantothenic Acid, SynerPro Vitamin B Complex, Balanced B, Nutri-Calm, SynerPro Multiple Vitamins and Minerals | * | Beef/Lamb Liver * |
| BiotinVitamin (H) | Necessary for normal growth, development and health; produced by intestinal bacteria | Fatigue, hair loss, muscle pains, depression, loss of appetite, skin disorders | SynerPro Vitamin B Complex, Balanced B, Nutri-Calm, SynerPro Multiple Vitamins and Minerals | Whole grains, nuts, meats, lentils, brewer’s yeast, tuna | * |
| Folic Acid(B9) | Acts as a co-enzyme for DNA synthesis; promotes normal red blood cell formation; functions as a coenzyme in amino acid and nucleoprotein synthesis | Red blood cell disorders, irritability, lack of energy, forgetfulness, diarrhea, sleeping difficulties | SynerPro Vitamin B Complex, Balanced B, Nutri-Calm, SynerPro Multiple Vitamins and Minerals | Whole grains, lentils, oranges, whole wheat, green leafy vegetables | Beef/Lamb Liver * |
| Vitamin B12 | Acts as a co-enzyme for normal DNA synthesis; promotes normal fat, carbohydrate and protein utilization; promotes growth, cell development, blood cell development, manufacture of covering of nerve cells, normal function of nervous system |
Pernicious anemia, profound fatigue, nausea, yellow eyes and skin, depression, shortness of breath, dementia, bleeding gums | B 12, SynerPro B Complex, Balanced B, Nutri-Calm, SynerPro Multiple Vitamins and Minerals | Beef, dairy products, seafood, (not found in vegetables) | Beef/Lamb Liver * |
| Vitamin C | Necessary for collagen formation repair; an antioxidant; needed for metabolism of folic acid and iron; strengthens blood vessels; helps utilization of carbohydrates and synthesis of fats and proteins | Scurvy, easy bruising, nosebleeds, slow healing of wounds, frequent infections | SynerPro Vitamin C w/Bioflavonoids, Vitamin C 1000 mg, Chewable Vitamin C, Nutri-Calm, Defense Maintenance Formula, SynerPro Multiple Vitamins and Minerals | Many fruits and vegetables | Capsicum, rose hips, alfalfa, parsley |
| Vitamin D | Absorbs and uses calcium and phosphorus to make bone; essential for normal growth and development | Rickets, weak bones, muscle weakness | A & D, Calcium-Magnesium with Vitamin D, SKL Formula, SynerPro Multiple Vitamins and Minerals | Fortified milk, some seafoods | * |
| Vitamin E | An antioxidant; a co-factor in several enzymes; promotes normal growth and development; acts as an anti-blood-clotting agent; promotes normal red blood cell formation | Lack of vitality, decreased sexual performance, apathy, irritability, muscle weakness | Vitamin E 400 IU, Defense Maintenance Formula, SynerPro Multiple Vitamins and Minerals | Raw nuts, whole wheat, some vegetable oils | Alfalfa, psyllium seed |
* No significant herbal source
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