Vitamins & Minerals - Jan'09

Vitamins and minerals make your body work very well. Vitamins and minerals boost the immune system, support normal growth and development, and help cells and organs to do their jobs. Whereas vitamins are organic substances (made by plants or animals), minerals are inorganic elements that come from the soil and water and are absorbed by plants or eaten by animals. Your body needs larger amounts of some minerals, such as calcium, to grow and stay healthy.

• Vitamin D in milk helps your bones. • Vitamin A in carrots is full of substances called carotenoids that your body converts into vitamin A, which helps to prevent eye problems. • Vitamin C in oranges helps your body heal if you get a wound, cuts and burns. • B vitamins in leafy green vegetables help your body make protein and energy. Minerals are natural compounds formed through geological processes. Minerals are inorganic. Iron is a mineral, which are necessary for our bodies. Minerals are needed by the body in small amounts to help it function properly and stay strong. Iron, calcium, potassium, and sodium are some of essential minerals. Humans need small amounts of about 14 minerals to maintain normal body function and good health.

Vitamins and minerals have a unique role to play in maintaining your health. The body cannot produce calcium; therefore, it must be absorbed through our food. Other minerals like chromium, copper, iodine, iron, selenium, and zinc are called trace minerals because you are necessarily need very small amounts of them each day. The best way to get enough vitamins is to eat a balanced diet with a variety of foods. You can usually get all your vitamins from the foods you eat.