Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients. That is, they cannot be made by the body from other substances in the diet. Thus, vitamins and minerals must be consumed in the diet.
Vitamins Overview of Vitamins Vitamins are a vital part of a healthy diet. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA)—the amount most healthy people need each day to remain healthy—has been determined for most vitamins. A safe... read more are classified as
Water soluble: Vitamin C and the eight members of the vitamin B complex
Fat soluble: Vitamins A, D, E, and K
Only vitamins A, D, E, K and B12 are stored to any large extent in the body.
Some minerals Overview of Minerals Minerals are necessary for the normal functioning of the body’s cells. The body needs relatively large quantities of Calcium Chloride Magnesium Phosphate read more are required in fairly large quantities (about 1 or 2 grams a day) and are considered macronutrients. They include calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus (occurring mainly as phosphate in the body), potassium, and sodium.
Minerals required in small amounts (trace minerals) are considered micronutrients. They include chromium, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc. Except for chromium, all of these minerals are incorporated into enzymes or hormones required in metabolism. Chromium helps the body keep blood sugar levels normal. Trace minerals such as arsenic, cobalt, fluoride, nickel, silicon, and vanadium, which may be essential in animal nutrition, have not been established as requirements in human nutrition. Fluoride helps stabilize the mineral content of bones and teeth by forming a stable compound with calcium and thus helps prevent tooth decay. All trace minerals are toxic at high levels, and some (arsenic, nickel, and chromium) can cause cancer.
Antioxidants
Some vitamins (such as vitamins C and E) and minerals (such as selenium) act as antioxidants, as do other substances in fruits and vegetables (such as beta-carotene). Antioxidants protect cells against damage by free radicals, which are by-products of the normal activity of cells. Free radicals readily participate in chemical reactions—some useful to the body and some not—and are thought to contribute to such disorders as heart and blood vessel disorders and cancer.
People who eat enough fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants, are less likely to develop heart and blood vessel disorders and certain cancers. However, whether these benefits are due to antioxidants, other substances in the fruits and vegetables, or other factors in people's diet and lifestyle is not known; also, taking antioxidant supplements has not been shown to prevent disease or mortality and sometimes can cause harm.
Supplements
Getting enough vitamins and minerals from foods is usually preferable to getting them from supplements. Foods, unlike supplements, contain other substances necessary for good health.
Routine use of nutritional supplements is not necessary or beneficial in people who eat a healthy diet. Some supplements can be harmful. For example, too much vitamin A Vitamin A Excess Vitamin A excess (toxicity) can be sudden (acute), usually due to accidental ingestion by children, or chronic. Consuming too much vitamin A causes hair loss, cracked lips, dry skin, weakened... read more can cause hair loss, cracked lips, dry skin, weakened bones, headaches, increased blood calcium levels, and an uncommon disorder called idiopathic intracranial hypertension, Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is characterized by increased pressure within the skull (intracranial pressure). What triggers the disorder is unknown. People have daily or near daily headaches... read more which is characterized by increased pressure within the skull.
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
chromium |
No brand name available |
copper |
No brand name available |
selenium |
Selepen |
vitamin a |
A Mulsin, Aquasol A, Dofsol-A |
