What are vitamins and minerals?
First, we define what these words mean: Vitamins and minerals are substances that are required for normal metabolism. They are essential in small amounts to maintain good health, promote growth and regulate body functions. The body only utilizes them without breaking them down, which is the reason why they are only required in ‘small amounts’.
Normally they are not synthesized in the body and therefore most of them are supplied by the diet (from food), though sometimes they are formed in the body as well, as in the case of vitamin D which is synthesized in the body to a limited extent. A vitamin in particular is a group of organic substances which help regulate the rate at which chemical reactions take place in the body, whereas, minerals are natural, non-organic substances which are important components of bones and soft tissues of the body. Vitamins and minerals function as partners and technically termed as ‘cofactors’ in the metabolism of products in the body.
How much vitamins and minerals do we need?
It is true that we need vitamins for the normal functioning of our body. But still, vitamins are not themselves direct sources of energy. As defined earlier, vitamins are nutrients sourced from food we eat everyday. Thus, taking proper and healthy diet would alone supplement one’s vitamin requirements? What’s the use of thousands of available multivitamins in the market?
Most adults today greatly depend on the intake of vitamin supplements due to the fact that vitamins and minerals they take in the food they eat are no longer absorbed or utilized by their body despite a nutritious diet. Hence, massive doses of supplements in place of normal eating are useless and dangerous. The use of very large doses of vitamins without the knowledge of a physician is very dangerous and can cause serious health problems.
There is no need to take ‘mega doses’ of vitamins without any deficiency or illness taking place in the body, since the doctor will not advice such intake unless badly need. Balanced amounts of each and every vitamin in the body should be properly followed, as an excessive in take of one vitamin can adversely affect the body’s use of another vitamin even though the second vitamin is present in normal amounts. For instance, deficiency in vitamin K is attributed by large amounts of vitamin E. Excessive vitamin E changes the body’s need for vitamin K to the point of causing vitamin K deficiency. Furthermore, taking excessive amounts of mineral on the other hand is too risky especially for pregnant or nursing women, children and the elderly.
Vitamins as an Anti-aging Component
Aging is a time-sequential deterioration occurring in the body. Certain changes like bone brittleness, decrease in muscle mass and impaired resistance to disease and injury occur as a result of aging. These changes can be very frustrating. However it can be controlled and reduced by proper intake of nutritional supplements like vitamins A (beta carotene), C and E. Vitamins A, C and E are generally called ‘anti-oxidant vitamins’.
They have potential properties which can promote health. They are also part of the body’s defense against free radicals and oxidative stress. Cereals, fruits and vegetables are good and natural sources of antioxidants. Furthermore, these three: A, C and E are common components of most dietary supplements which are very helpful nowadays, since they are a critical element in disease prevention. We live in a world of exploitation, and as time goes by, pollution degrades our health through the food we eat and through the air we breathe.
This is the main reason why scientists have advanced their technology and have invaded people’s notion of “natural living”. Before, people depend on natural sources of vitamins and minerals, but now as technology advances, vitamins and minerals are now available in tablets, capsules or syrup which are reliable supplements for human health. Nevertheless, fruits and vegetables and other natural resource are still the best source of vitamins and minerals for the human body.
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