Vitamins are required for normal functioning of the body - Growth, Digestion & Nerve Function. Vitamins & Minerals are required in small and steady amounts and they together form the micro nutrients essential to maintain healthy mind and body.
There are two types of vitamins, Essential and Non-essential. There are 13 Essential vitamins required by the body which has to be obtained through the food we eat. The essential vitamins required by the body are Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Biotin and Folic acid.
Vitamins are either fat soluble or water soluble. Water soluble vitamins are essential vitamins and are not stored in body in high amounts. Fat soluble vitamins are soluble in Bile acids and they are stored by the body and used when they are required.
Vitamins taken in the form are dietary nutritional supplements are best utilized by the body when taken along with food and nutrient supplements are not the substitute for the whole foods. Dietary supplements can compliment the diet when there is trouble getting enough of essential nutrients through food. People who are healthy and eat wide variety of food including fruits and vegetables(8 servings), whole grains, legumes, lean meat and fish on a regular basis do not need dietary supplements.
Dietary supplements become essential if any one of the below mentioned cases is true
1. Do not eat enough servings of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean meat and fish.
2. Normal American diet which lacks in essential vitamins, minerals, enzymes and hormones.
3. Under diet or weight loss program i. e., restricted nutritional regime.
4. Vegetarian or Vegan diet.
5. Post menopausal women.
6. Special medical conditions.
7. Smoke or Drink alcohol.
8. Over 50 years of age.
9. Eating junk unhealthy food and not getting dietary balance of vitamins.
10. Can not afford diet of variety of foods that are essential for healthy living.
11. Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
12. Not in good health - physically &/or mentally.
Minerals help body grow, develop and stay healthy.They help building strong bones and also in transmitting nerve impulses. Some minerals are even used to maintain normal heartbeat and also to make hormones.
Minerals can be classified into two groups mainly based on the amount required by the body as Macro-minerals and Trace minerals. Macro-minerals include Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride and Sulfur. Trace minerals include Iron, Manganese, Copper, Iodine, Zinc, Cobalt, Fluoride, Selenium.
Vitamins and minerals help Enzymes which are also a kind of proteins in regulating the metabolic processes. These metabolic processes include formation of proteins which are the building blocks of life and also the breakdown of carbohydrates and fats to generate energy.
Body does not manufacture all the vital nutrients. All the essential vitamins and minerals come from food. People who get lot of vitamins and minerals are those who have very healthy kidneys and eat a variety of foods from all food groups. Since the kidney diet limits some food groups the body may not be getting all the nutrients it needs each day. Therefore it is very much necessary to intake certain amount of vitamins and minerals in the form of supplements.
