Vitamins and minerals: why do we need them?
There are about 30 different vitamins and minerals required by our bodies. No one food can provide all the required vitamins and minerals in sufficient amounts but a variety and balanced selection of foods can.
Remember, it is better to get your nutrients from foods rather than from supplements, although in some cases it is essential to take supplements.
A supplement should not take the place of nutrient dense foods and it cannot make up for a poorly balanced diet of chips and fried food, biscuits and confectionery.
Fat soluble vitamins and trace elements are toxic in excess, so if you are taking a supplement follow the instructions carefully.
- Vitamin D and Calcium
- Build strong bones and teeth and help prevent osteoporosis
- Vitamin C and Iron
- Form healthy red blood cells and prevents iron deficiency anaemia
- Vitamin A
- Helps maintain good healthy skin and prevents night blindness
- Vitamin E
- Protects cell membranes and lipids against oxidative damage and helps in the fight against cancer and heart disease
- Vitamin B12 and Cobalt
- Build healthy blood cells, maintain a healthy brain and nervous tissue and prevent anaemia
- Vitamin K
- Essential for blood clotting
- Folic Acid
- Helps produce healthy blood cells
- Vitamin B6
- Maintains a healthy nervous system
- Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid and Biotin
- Are essential for the steady and continuous release of energy from food
- Magnesium
- Important for muscle tone
- Sodium, Potassium, Chlorine
- Maintain a constant body water content & balance
- Zinc
- Important for growth and sexual development
- Selenium
- Protects membranes and lipids against oxidative damage
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