Vitamins & Minerals
Micronutrients - Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins & Minerals are used as coenzymes and cofactors for many of the metabolic reactions in the body. Its important to eat a wide variety of foods to ensure you are getting these micronutrients into your body through your diet. If necessary, a multi-vitamin can help you fill in some of the gaps where you might be deficient.
Water-Soluble & Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Water-soluble vitamins dissolve readily in water. Because of this, they are not stored in the tissues of the body but are present in the blood and other waste-based fluids. These vitamins are not retained easily in the body since they can be excreted in the urine and must be replaced daily for optimal health. Many of the water-soluble vitamins are essential, meaning they must be consumed from food or supplements. The water-soluble vitamins include the B Vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12), Vitamin C, Biotin, and Folic Acid (folate).
Fat-soluble vitamins dissolve in the fats and oils we consume; and due to this ability, fat-soluble vitamins can be stored in the body’s fatty tissue. They are found in both animal & plant foods as well as in dietary supplements. These vitamins play critical roles in metabolism and proper hormonal function and is the reason that extremely low-fat diets can be problematic. The fat-soluble vitamins include Vitamin A, D, E, and K.
Minerals
Minerals are inorganic molecules that cannot be made by the body. They must be consumed in the diet through food or supplements. The most relevant minerals to the human body are metals, and are critical in bone structure, antioxidant system, thyroid function, oxygen transport, and several other essential processes. Essential minerals are Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Fluoride, Iodine, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, Sodium, and Zinc.
CLICK HERE — Recommended Daily Allowances and Adequate Intake for Vitamins [National Institute of Health]
