Vitamins

Vitamin B12: Why it’s Important and How to Avoid B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 is a hot topic in the vegan community since it’s one of the few nutrients hard to obtain on an entirely plant-based diet. That doesn’t mean meat-eaters should gloat, though: Many omnivores suffer from B12 deficiency as well. So what is B12, why is it important for health, and how do you know if you’re getting enough?

Ocean Robbins · January 1, 2025 · 12 min read

What Are Antioxidants? And What Are the Most Antioxidant-Rich Foods?

The word “antioxidant” is thrown around a lot in the health and wellness space. But what does it really mean? Why are antioxidants good for you? Are there any you should avoid? And which foods and beverages pack the most beneficial antioxidant punch?

Ocean Robbins · November 1, 2023 · 13 min read

What Is Choline, and Can Vegans Get Enough?

The nutrient choline is essential for human health. But most people understand very little about this crucial compound. In this article, we’ll examine what choline is, how much you need, and what the best sources are. We’ll take a look at the controversies over whether plant-based eaters are at risk of choline deficiency, explore whether supplements are needed, and find out what might happen if you get too much choline.

Ocean Robbins · May 24, 2023 · 10 min read

Vitamin A Benefits, Side Effects, & Best Sources

Vitamin A is crucial to life and health, and most of us can synthesize all we need from orange and yellow fruits and vegetables and leafy greens. Despite that, it’s often portrayed as a nutrient best sourced from animals or via a supplement. What does vitamin A do in the body? What are the best sources for it, how much do we really need, and what happens when we get too much or not enough?

Ocean Robbins · May 26, 2022 · 13 min read

Plant-Based Alternatives to Retinol for Healthy, Younger-Looking Skin

We all want healthy-looking skin, but many of the “anti-aging” products on the market give you a temporary youthful appearance while actually compromising the health of your skin. Some could even be carcinogenic! A popular anti-wrinkle compound, retinol, shows great promise, but also comes with significant risks and side effects. Is there a natural and plant-based approach that actually works?

Brian Vaszily · April 13, 2022 · 11 min read

Vitamin E Benefits: Why it Matters & the Best Places to Find It

Vitamin E is one of the antioxidant heroes of our diet, helping to support immunity, fight free radicals, and possibly prevent heart disease, cancer, and cognitive decline. But does that mean you should take vitamin E supplements, or try to get vitamin E largely from your diet? And what are the best food sources of this powerhouse nutrient?

Ocean Robbins · February 25, 2022 · 14 min read

What B Vitamins Do You Need — And What Are The Best Vegan Sources of B Vitamins?

The B vitamins are commonly grouped together as “B-complex,” but each one plays a unique role in your everyday health, metabolism, and body functions. Here’s why the B vitamins are so important, which ones may deserve extra attention, and where you can find them on a plant-based diet.

Ocean Robbins · August 26, 2021 · 12 min read

Folate (B9): What It Is, Where to Get it, and Why Folate is Different from Folic Acid

Folate is perhaps best known as a critical nutrient during pregnancy, but it serves important roles in your health throughout your lifespan. Here’s what folate does, where to find it, how much you need, and how it differs from folic acid.

Ocean Robbins · March 3, 2021 · 12 min read

Vitamin K: Benefits, How to Get It, and How Much You Need

Vitamin K may not get as much attention as some of the other vitamins, but that doesn’t make it any less important. Stranded in the middle of the alphabet, it plays several important roles in your health. Here’s what you need to know about what vitamin K does for your body, how much you need, and where to get it.

Ocean Robbins · February 17, 2021 · 11 min read

Vitamin D Guidelines: What Is It, How Much Do You Need, & How to Get Enough

Vitamin D has been making headlines as an immunity booster, but it’s so much more than that. This misunderstood compound — produced when sunlight hits our skin — is crucial for health in many other ways. But how much vitamin D do you need, where can you find it, and why is it so important to get enough? Here’s what you need to know about the role of vitamin D in your health.

Ocean Robbins · November 27, 2020 · 15 min read

How to Prevent Osteoporosis and Promote Bone Health with Food

Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones. It can cause them to become so brittle that they fracture easily. Osteoporosis-related fractures especially impact the hip, wrist, or spine, and in severe cases, can be caused by a cough or even by bending over. Fortunately, there are important lifestyle habits you can practice to preserve your bone strength and keep osteoporosis at bay. Here’s what the science tells us.

Ocean Robbins · July 17, 2020 · 16 min read

Why Daily Vitamin C is Good for Your Immune System

Vitamin C may be most commonly associated with oranges, but there is much more to the vitamin C story. Here’s what you need to know about vitamin C and what it does for your immune system.

Ocean Robbins · April 24, 2020 · 10 min read