A Vitamins Glossary
by David Leonhardt
When making decisions about your health, it is important to understand what you are reading. This glossary should help you better understand some of the terms used on this website and elsewhere. Please let us know if there are terms that should be added to this list.
Antioxidant
Antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E help protect you’re the cells of your body against free radicals. Free radicals are-products of the body’s metabolism, and can cause cell damage that is believed to contribute to the development of major chronic diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Free Radicals
Free radical are oxygen molecules produced as your body burns oxygen for energy. Free radicals are blamed for increasing the risk of cancer and heart disease, and for speeding up the aging process. Antioxidants, such as vitamin C or vitamin E
IU – International Units
This is a metric measurement. Unfortunately, there is no easy conversion formula between IU and milligrams or micrograms, as it varies by vitamin and mineral.
