Nutrition

Sodium
Functions:
- Suppresses stress hormones (aldosterone, adrenaline, cortisol)
- Required for cellular energy production
- Spares magnesium from being lost in urine
- Pro-thyroid
- Protects brain and nerve cells from excitotoxic damage
- Supports restful sleep
- Key component of stomach acid and bile
- Supports the thermogenic effect of food (helping the body convert calories into heat rather than storing them as fat)
Sources: salt, cheese, shrimp, oysters

Potassium
Functions:
- Important for cellular stability
- Supports carbohydrate utilisation
- Opposes calcification of soft tissues
- Improves CO2 retention
Sources: potatoes, milk, yoghurt, orange juice, kiwi, watermelon, beef liver, beef kidney

Magnesium
Functions:
- Important for the efficient utilisation of ATP in cells
- Supports thyroid hormone
- Improves management of calcium in the body
- Inhibits stress hormones (adrenaline and cortisol)
Sources: potatoes, coffee, orange juice, oysters

Calcium
Functions:
- Needed for bone and teeth formation
- Needed for nerve function and muscular contraction
- Suppresses parathyroid hormone
- Supports glucose metabolism
- Protects against excitotoxic damage of cells
- Needed for heartbeat regulation
- Lowers blood pressure
Sources: milk, cheese, yoghurt, powdered egg shells

Vitamin K
Functions:
- Proper calcium absorption
- Proper blood clotting
Sources: aged hard cheeses, kiwi, eggs, beef liver, beef kidney

Vitamin E
Functions:
- Antioxidant
- Opposes estrogen
- Promotes progesterone
- Protects cells from damage caused by iron excess
- Protects cells from damage caused by PUFA excess
Sources: kiwi, eggs, shrimp

Vitamin D
Functions:
- Needed for proper calcium absorption
- Suppresses parathyroid hormone
- Improved immune system modulation
Sources: sunlight, eggs (depending on quality of eggs), oysters, shrimp, beef liver

Vitamin C
Functions:
- Needed for growth and repair of tissue
- Supports the immune system
- Antioxidant
Sources: potatoes, orange juice, kiwi, watermelon

B12: Cobalamin
Functions:
- Brain and nervous system function
- Blood production
- Metabolism of every cell in the body
Sources: milk, cheese, yoghurt, eggs, beef, oysters, shrimp, beef liver, beef kidney

B9: Folate
Functions:
- Repair and formation of DNA
- Production of healthy red blood cells
Sources: orange juice, eggs, beef liver, beef kidney

B7: Biotin
Functions:
- Needed for cell growth
- Needed for metabolism of fats and amino acids
- Takes part in the transfer of CO2
Sources: eggs, beef liver, beef kidney

B6: Pyridoxine
Functions:
- Amino acid breakdown in the intestines
- Healthy immune system
Sources: potatoes, eggs, beef, beef liver, beef kidney

B5: Pantothenic Acid
Functions:
- Needed to metabolise protein, fats, and carbohydrates
Sources: milk, cheese, yoghurt, eggs, beef, oysters, shrimp, beef liver, beef kidney

B3: Niacinamide
Functions:
- Helps with skin conditions
- Inhibits oxidation of fat in the tissues
Sources: beef, beef liver

B2: Riboflavin
Functions:
- Needed for fat, ketone, protein, and carbohydrate metabolism
Sources: cheese, eggs, beef liver, beef kidney

B1: Thiamine
Functions:
- Helps break down sugar and amino acids
- Needed to form the neurotransmitters acetylcholine and GABA
Sources: potatoes, coffee, eggs, beef liver

Vitamin B
Consists of eight water-soluble vitamins described below (these cannot be stored in the body)

Vitamin A
Functions:
- Growth and development
- Immune function
- Healthy skin
- Vision
- Cholesterol conversion into pregnenolone
Sources: milk, cheese, eggs, beef liver

Here I will list essential vitamins and minerals, and their sources. It is my amended version of the list featured in How to Heal Your Metabolism by Kate Deering.