A lot of us grew up with our parents telling us to eat our fruits and veggies to get enough vitamins and minerals for healthy growth. You’ve probably even had to take supplements like syrups containing vitamin C or multivitamin gummies from stores like Supplement First!
Fast forward to today, and you’re probably also purchasing multivitamins from stores like supplementfirst.com, with Supplement First’s wide variety of nutrient combinations meeting your specific needs.
But have you ever stopped and thought about what vitamins and minerals do in your body and their roles in achieving optimal health? Here are the important things you should know!
What are Vitamins and Minerals?
Vitamins and minerals are necessary for the body to work properly. While vitamins are organic substances coming from animals and plants, minerals are inorganic elements from the earth.
Most of us can get the nutrients we need from the five food groups with a balanced diet. You can find vitamins in fresh, frozen, and canned foods. As for minerals, you can find them in both food and water.
That said, certain groups and individuals are at risk of developing nutrient deficiencies. Or, some don’t get enough vitamins and minerals due to a poor or restrictive diet. This is where supplementation comes along to help individuals meet their nutrient needs.
How Vitamins and Minerals Function
Our bodies create energy from the food we eat. Vitamins and minerals are required to help us use that energy. Moreover, they are also needed to fight infections and maintain strong bones.
These are just some of the many functions that nutrients perform. Here are the other functions vitamins and minerals can do for our bodies:
- Help with eyesight
- Help with healthy growth and development
- Maintain a healthy cardiovascular, digestive, and nervous system
- Maintain healthy skin
- Produce red blood cells and nerve cells
- Maintain good immune function
- Maintain healthy bones and teeth
- Blood clotting
- Maintain optimum muscle and nerve function
- Help with brain function
- Help with thyroid gland function
- Store oxygen in the muscles
- Wound healing
- Tissue repair
- Prevent birth defects
- Lowers the risk of certain medical conditions
What Vitamins and Minerals are Needed?
We only need small amounts of vitamins and minerals and can get them from a healthy diet and supplementation. Here’s a list of the important nutrients you need:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, , B12, B9
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Calcium
- Chromium
- Copper
- Fluoride
- Iodine
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Phosphorous
- Potassium
- Selenium
- Sodium
- Zinc
These nutrients will have varying recommended daily amounts, and how much you’ll need will also depend on your specific needs. That’s why it’s crucial to consult your doctor about your diet and if you will require supplementation or dietary changes to meet your needs.
Wrapping It Up
Before you start taking supplements to get enough vitamins and minerals, do check with your doctor and get tested for any nutrient deficiencies.
