Vitamins and Minerals

What’s covered?

Micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals are essential for the body to perform regular tasks. However, our bodies cannot create these micronutrients, so we must obtain them from our food or dietary supplements.

Essential nutrients for your body

All of the time you produce skin, muscle and bone. The body houses a dense red bloodstream which supplies nutrients to remote outposts and ejects nerve impulse messages through thousands of neural pathways in your body. It also produces chemicals which move between organs and deliver instructions aimed at ensuring survival. Your food contains at least 30 vitamins, minerals and nutrients that the human body cannot produce alone in the proper amount. Vitamin and mineral synthesis are considered essential as they perform many different functions.

What are vitamins and minerals?

Vitamins and minerals are organic chemicals utilised by the body for various metabolic functions in minute quantities. They maintain our health and facilitate body function.

Minerals and vitamins are obtained from the meals we consume. A healthy and varied diet (consisting of all five food groups) is sufficient for most of us to maintain our health. Vitamins and minerals are best obtained through various nutritious, unprocessed foods.

Vitamins

Vitamins can be put into groups based on how well they dissolve. Most dissolve in water, which means that they are water-soluble. On the other hand, fat-soluble vitamins are like oil and don't dissolve in water.

Minerals

Minerals are inorganic components found in soil and water, which plants and animals absorb or eat. You may already know about calcium, sodium, and potassium, but there are other minerals, including trace minerals (such as copper, iodine, and zinc), that you will require in minute quantities.

A closer look at major minerals

The body requires, or stores, relatively high quantities of important minerals. These minerals do not play as significant a vital role in your health as the trace minerals; they just exist at greater levels. Minerals travel throughout our bodies in many places. Potassium is quickly absorbed by the body through the blood and carries out its free movement and is excreted by the kidney. Calcium acts as a fat-soluble vitamin since it requires a carrier to absorb.

How can I get the vitamins and minerals I need?

Generally, it's better to consume nutrient-rich food instead of pills. The nutrients in food also help with fibre. Most elderly people can get all their nutrition through diets. If you've never known what vitamins you're missing, you can ask a doctor. A medical professional can recommend vitamins or supplements to you. However, some supplements may lead to side effects like increased bleeding during injury.

What are the benefits that we can get from vitamins and minerals?

Vitamins and minerals serve a variety of tasks within the human body. There are thirteen vitamins in all, with eight belonging to the B-group.

So let's tackle the various functions of vitamins in our bodies

Vitamin A

As an essential vitamin, it strengthens our immune system, allowing it to combat disease and infection. In addition, it maintains healthy skin, promotes reproduction and growth, and improves our eyesight.

Vitamin B

B-group vitamins aid in utilising energy-producing substances (such as carbs, fats, and proteins) by the body. Some B-group vitamins are required to aid in cell multiplication by facilitating DNA synthesis.

Vitamin B-group must be consumed regularly as part of a diet rich in whole foods (such as lean meats, fish, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes) and low in alcohol and processed foods.

A person that is undernourished may develop a vitamin B deficiency. For this reason, it is essential to have adequate quantities of these vitamins as part of a balanced, nourishing diet.

Vitamin C

This vitamin is crucial since we cannot produce this vitamin from other compounds. Vitamin C must also be a regular part of our diet because the body cannot store it for an extended period.

Vitamin D

Getting enough vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and entire well-being. UV Radiation from the sun is required for vitamin D production in the skin. It is the best natural source of vitamin D. Additionally, regular exercise helps us produce vitamin D.

Vitamin D can only be absorbed in trace amounts by the body. However, too much sun exposure may increase the chance of developing skin cancer. Therefore, always use sun protection, especially when UV index values are peak.