THE PURSER WELLNESS REFERENCE
Nutrients, made clearer.
Explore food sources, possible deficiency symptoms, supplement forms and questions to bring to your next visit.
23 entries
Symptoms can overlap. Herbs and other compounds do not all have a recognized deficiency syndrome; each entry explains the difference.
Alpha-Ketoglutarate
A compound made in the body that participates in the citric acid cycle and amino-acid metabolism.
Other compounds & fatsAstaxanthin
A carotenoid pigment found in some algae and seafood.
Other compounds & fatsCarnitine
A compound involved in transporting fatty acids into mitochondria.
Other compounds & fatsCatalase
An enzyme the body makes that breaks down hydrogen peroxide.
Other compounds & fatsChlorophyll
The green pigment plants use to capture light.
Other compounds & fatsCoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10)
A compound involved in mitochondrial electron transport and antioxidant chemistry.
Other compounds & fatsGlutathione (GSH)
A molecule made from glutamate, cysteine and glycine that participates in cellular redox balance.
Other compounds & fatsInositol
A compound involved in cell-membrane signaling.
Other compounds & fatsLipoic Acid
A cofactor involved in mitochondrial enzyme reactions, also sold as alpha-lipoic acid.
Other compounds & fatsLutein
A carotenoid found in foods and in the retina.
Other compounds & fatsLycopene
A carotenoid pigment found in tomatoes and certain other fruits.
Other compounds & fatsMelatonin
A hormone involved in the timing of sleep and the body clock.
Other compounds & fatsNADH
The reduced form of a coenzyme involved in cellular energy reactions.
Other compounds & fatsOmega-3
A family of fats that includes ALA, EPA and DHA.
Other compounds & fatsOmega-6, Omega-7, and Omega-9
Different families of fatty acids. They do not all have the same dietary requirements or biological roles.
Other compounds & fatsOmega-7
A family of monounsaturated fats that includes palmitoleic acid.
Other compounds & fatsOmega-9
A family of fats that includes oleic acid, abundant in olive oil.
Other compounds & fatsPQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone)
A compound sold in supplements; it is not an established essential human vitamin.
Other compounds & fatsQuercetin
A flavonoid present in onions, apples and other plant foods.
Other compounds & fatsResveratrol
A plant compound found in grape skins and some other foods.
Other compounds & fatsSulforaphane
A compound formed from precursors in cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli.
Other compounds & fatsSuperoxide Dismutase (SOD)
A family of enzymes made by the body that convert superoxide into hydrogen peroxide.
Other compounds & fatsZeaxanthin
A carotenoid found in foods and in the retina.
