Glossary

Acacia fibers are soluble plant-based dietary fibers obtained from the dried sap of certain acacia species. They are highly water-soluble and have a largely neutral taste.

Alkaline means the same as basic. An aqueous solution is considered alkaline if its pH value is above 7.

Alpha-linolenic acid is an essential polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid. The body cannot produce it itself and must obtain it through diet. Natural sources include linseed oil, rapeseed oil, chia seeds, and walnuts.

An amino acid chelate is a compound in which a mineral is bonded to one or more amino acids. Zinc bisglycinate is an example of this.

Antioxidants are substances that can influence oxidation processes. These include endogenous compounds as well as certain vitamins, minerals, and secondary plant compounds. Vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium help protect cells from oxidative stress.

Dietary fibers are components of food that are not or only partially broken down by the human digestive system. These include inulin, acacia fiber, and psyllium husks.

An alkaline bath is a body or foot bath with alkaline bath water. Basic mineral salt mixtures are used for this purpose. Alkaline baths are part of external body care and are to be distinguished from dietary supplements.

Beta-carotene is a natural plant pigment from the group of carotenoids. It can be converted into vitamin A in the body and is therefore also referred to as provitamin A.

Beta-glucans are a group of naturally occurring polysaccharides. They are found in grains, yeasts, and fungi, among other sources. Their structure and properties vary depending on their origin.

Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin of the B group. It contributes to normal energy metabolism, normal functioning of the nervous system, and the maintenance of normal skin and hair, among other things.

Bitter substances are naturally occurring plant compounds with a bitter taste. Typical bitter plants include gentian, wormwood, centaury, chicory, and dandelion.

Calcium is a vital mineral and an essential component of bones and teeth. Calcium is required for the maintenance of normal bones and teeth and for normal muscle function, among other things.

DHA is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid. It is found particularly in fatty marine fish and certain microalgae. DHA contributes to normal brain function and the maintenance of normal vision. The beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA.

Iron is an essential trace element and is, among other things, a component of the red blood pigment hemoglobin. It contributes to normal oxygen transport and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, among other things.

Electrolytes are minerals that form electrically charged particles in body fluids. These include sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

Yellow gentian is a mountain plant and is one of the best-known bitter plants in Europe. The root is used in particular. It is characterized by secoiridoids and its distinctly bitter taste.

EPA is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid. EPA and DHA contribute to normal heart function. The beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 250 mg of EPA and DHA.

An extract is a concentrated preparation from a suitable starting material. In this process, selected soluble components are extracted and concentrated.

Fermentation refers to a process in which raw materials are converted with the help of microorganisms such as bacteria or yeasts or their enzymes. "Fermented" describes the method of production or processing and is not, by itself, a claim about a health effect.

Fish oil is obtained from fatty fish species and is a natural source of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.

Folate refers to naturally occurring forms of the water-soluble vitamin B9. Folic acid is a form used in dietary supplements, among other things. Folate contributes, for example, to normal blood formation and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Psyllium seeds come from plants of the genus Plantago. Their husks in particular are rich in soluble, highly swellable dietary fiber and can bind large amounts of water.

HPMC is the abbreviation for hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. This is a cellulose-based substance frequently used for plant-based capsule shells.

Inulin is a soluble dietary fiber that occurs naturally in various plants. Well-known sources include chicory, Jerusalem artichoke, onions, and garlic.

Potassium is an essential mineral. It contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system, normal muscle function, and the maintenance of normal blood pressure.

The capsule shell encloses powdered or granulated ingredients. Plant-based capsule shells are often made from HPMC.

Copper is an essential trace element. It contributes to normal energy metabolism, normal iron transport in the body, and the protection of cells from oxidative stress, among other things.

L-glutamine is an amino acid and a natural component of proteins. The human body is generally capable of producing glutamine itself.

Linseed oil is obtained from flax seeds and is characterized by its natural content of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid.

Dandelion is a widely distributed plant from the daisy family. Leaves and roots are traditionally used as food and in herbal preparations. It is characterized by its herb-bitter taste.

Lutein is a natural plant pigment from the group of carotenoids. It is found in green leafy vegetables, among other things, and, along with zeaxanthin, is a natural component of the macula of the human eye.

Magnesium is a vital mineral. It contributes to normal muscle function, normal functioning of the nervous system, normal energy metabolism, and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, among other things.

Micronutrients are vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients that the body requires in comparatively small amounts.

Minerals are vital inorganic nutrients. These include macroelements such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, as well as trace elements such as iron, zinc, selenium, and copper.

Dietary supplements are food products intended to supplement the normal diet. They contain vitamins, minerals, or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect in concentrated and dosed form.

The nutrient reference value (NRV) is a reference value for the labeling of certain vitamins and minerals. For dietary supplements, it can be used to indicate what proportion of the reference value a daily portion provides.

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids. The best-known include alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), EPA, and DHA. Sources include plant oils, fatty fish, fish oil, and microalgae oil.

Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can alter substances. Sensitive fatty acids, for example, can oxidize due to oxygen, light, and heat.

Oxidative stress occurs when more reactive oxygen species are formed in the body than its natural defense systems can neutralize. Vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium contribute to protecting cells from oxidative stress.

For a plant extract, selected soluble components are extracted from leaves, roots, seeds, fruits, or other plant parts and concentrated.

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates. They occur naturally in various plant and fungal raw materials.

Prebiotic dietary fibers are indigestible food components that can be utilized by selected gut bacteria. Examples are inulin and certain fructooligosaccharides.

Quality control includes tests used to assess raw materials, production processes, and finished products against established requirements. This can include, for example, identity, content, microbiological, and residue testing.

Red algae are a diverse group of predominantly marine algae. Certain species naturally incorporate minerals into their structure and can be used as a raw material source.

Rutin is a naturally occurring secondary plant compound from the group of flavonoids. It is found in various plants.

Secoiridoids are natural plant substances with an often distinctly bitter taste. They are found in gentian and centaury, among others.

Secondary plant compounds are natural substances that plants produce for purposes such as pigmentation, fragrance, flavor, or protection against environmental influences. The term covers numerous different groups of substances.

Selenium is an essential trace element. It contributes, among other things, to the normal function of the immune system and the thyroid gland, as well as to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.

Trace elements are minerals that the body only requires in very small amounts. These include, for example, iron, zinc, selenium, and copper.

In the context of extracts, standardization refers to a process used to establish or ensure a defined and as consistent as possible content of selected marker compounds.

The TOTOX value is an analytical value used to assess the total oxidation of an oil. It takes into account both early and more advanced oxidation products.

Products are referred to as vegan if they contain no ingredients of animal origin. The composition of the entire product is relevant for the assessment.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. It contributes, among other things, to the maintenance of normal skin and vision, as well as to the normal function of the immune system.

Vitamin B1 is a water-soluble vitamin. It contributes, among other things, to normal energy-yielding metabolism as well as to the normal function of the nervous system.

Riboflavin is a water-soluble B-group vitamin. It contributes, among other things, to normal energy-yielding metabolism, the maintenance of normal skin and vision, the protection of cells from oxidative stress, and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Vitamin B6 includes several chemically related compounds. It contributes, among other things, to normal energy and protein metabolism, normal functioning of the nervous and immune systems, and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. It contributes, among other things, to normal energy-yielding metabolism, normal functioning of the nervous system, and normal formation of red blood cells.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin. It contributes, among other things, to normal immune system function, the protection of cells from oxidative stress, and normal collagen formation. Vitamin C also increases iron absorption.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that the body can produce itself in the skin under the influence of sunlight. It contributes, among other things, to the maintenance of normal bones and teeth, normal muscle function, and normal immune system function.

Vitamin E refers to a group of fat-soluble compounds that include various tocopherols. Vitamin E helps to protect cells from oxidative stress.

Vitamin K2 belongs to the group of fat-soluble K vitamins. Vitamin K contributes to normal blood clotting and the maintenance of normal bones.

Wormwood is an aromatic bitter plant from the daisy family. In particular, the leaves and flowering branch tips are used. It is characterized by its particularly intense, long-lasting bitter taste.

Zeaxanthin is a natural plant pigment from the group of carotenoids. Together with lutein, zeaxanthin also naturally occurs in the macula of the human eye.

Zinc is an essential trace element and a component of numerous enzymes. It contributes, among other things, to normal immune system function, the protection of cells from oxidative stress, and the maintenance of normal skin, hair, and nails.

Zinc bisglycinate is a zinc compound in which zinc is bound to two molecules of the amino acid glycine. Such compounds made of minerals and amino acids are referred to as amino acid chelates.