Vitamin & supplement glossary

Amino acids. The building blocks that make up proteins. Humans need 21 different amino acids to function properly. Some are made by the body, while  others, called essential amino acids, must be obtained from foods.

Antioxidant. Substances, such as vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene, that some studies suggest protect your body from the damage of oxidation caused by free radicals. The British Dietetic Association says some phytochemicals such as flavonoids, glucosinolate and phyto-oestrogens "act as antioxidants, which may reduce damage to cell DNA and cell membranes."

Botanicals. Substances obtained from plants and used in food supplements, personal care products or pharmaceuticals. Considered a synonym of “herb”, “herbal medicine”, and “plant medicine”.

British Pharmacopoeia (BP). The BP is the official collection of standards covering the strength and purity of UK medicinal products and pharmaceutical substances. It is produced by the British Pharmacopoeia Commission Secretariat, part of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).  Some supplements carry the BP symbol on their label. The British Pharmacopoeia is used in over 100 countries.

Fat Soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins, such as A, D, E and K, are absorbed by the body with dietary fats. Your body stores excess fat-soluble vitamins in your liver and body fat then uses them as needed. Ingesting more fat-soluble vitamins than you need can be toxic, causing side-effects such as nausea, vomiting, and liver and heart problems.

Fortify. To increase a food or drink's nutritional value by adding vitamins, minerals or other substances. For example, milk is fortified with vitamins A and D. This created a new type of food called “fortified foods” or “functional foods”.

Free Radicals.An atom or molecule with at least one unpaired electron, making it unstable and reactive. When free radicals react with certain chemicals in the body, they may interfere with the ability of cells to function normally. Some studies suggest antioxidants can stabilise free radicals. 

Herb. Herbs are plants used as flavourings in cooking, but herbs can also be used as supplements for health or medicinal reasons.

Megadose. Supplements that provide more than 100% of the daily value of the body's required vitamins and minerals.

Micronutrients. The name given to vitamins and minerals because your body needs them in small amounts. Micronutrients are vital to your body's ability to process the "macronutrients”: fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Examples are chromium, zinc and selenium.

Minerals. Nutrients found in the earth or water and absorbed by plants and animals for proper nutrition. Minerals are the main component of teeth and bones, and help build cells and support nerve impulses, among other things. One example is calcium.

Multivitamin. A tablet, liquid, or other substance containing more than one vitamin.

Oxidation. A chemical reaction in which oxygen combines with a substance, changing or destroying its normal function. Oxidation can damage cell membranes and interfere with a cell's regulatory systems, but is also part of our normal-functioning immune system.