Why are Vitamins and Minerals Important?

Your body must have the right amount of vitamins and minerals for:

• Normal growth
• Metabolism (Creating energy in the cells)
• General Health

The key is balanced Nutrition- the right amounts of each vitamin and mineral in the right balance.

The Average Person:

The average person can get their recommended amounts for vitamins and minerals simply by eating a reasonable diet containing whole grains, vegetables and fruits.

But..

The Average Person is:

• An adult younger than 60
• In good health
• With perfect digestion
• Slim
• Totally Stress- Free
• Free of any sort of medical problem
• Not taking any medicines

How much do we need:

• The amount that government bodies recommend you consume in your diet is set at a level where most individuals will get all the nutrients they need.
• This level is not the minimum to prevent disease but somewhat higher, and it can be used in school feeding programs and food labeling.
• Not too much and not too little, but a proper balance of vitamins and minerals is required. 

Preserve the Vitamins and Minerals while cooking:

• To get the recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals, eat a variety of grains , vegetables, fruits and beans.
• But in today’s busy schedule, if we are not eating the required amount of fruits and vegetables, take supplements to ensure adequate nutrient intake.

Minerals - Blog 2

In my earlier blog, I have mentioned about Trace and Major minerals. In this blog I will discuss about few Minerals.

Calcium:

• Calcium is a Major Mineral.
• It is one of the most abundant mineral in our body. 
• It is the major requirement for healthy bones and teeth.
• We can get Calcium from Milk, Dairy Products, Green, leafy vegetables, Supplements etc.

Iron:

• Iron is a Trace Mineral.
• Iron is needed to carry oxygen in our blood. 
• Iron can be found in animal foods like chicken, beef  and pork and plant foods like Whole grains, peas, spinach , beans etc

If you don’t get enough Iron:

It can lead to low blood counts, especially in young Women. 

Potassium:

• Potassium is a Major Mineral.
• Most people don’t get as much potassium as they should, in part, because they don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables.
• It helps the central nervous system send its impulses throughout the body.
• Helps to efficiently extract energy from food
• Helps muscles to contract properly.

Sodium:

• Sodium is a Major Mineral.
• Salt is sodium chloride.
• Sodium is an important mineral, but most of us eat excess sodium, which isn’t healthy.

Magnesium

• Magnesium is a Major Mineral.
• Every single cell in our body needs magnesium to produce energy. 
• Magnesium plays an important role in muscle relaxation, bone and teeth strengthening etc.
• Magnesium helps in proper functioning of muscles.

Selenium:

• Selenium is a Trace Mineral.
• It is important to support anti oxidant function in our body. 
• The amount of selenium in fruits and vegetables depends upon the selenium in the soil in which they were grown.

Phosphorous:

• Phosphorous is a Major Mineral.
• About 85% of the phosphorous can be found in bones and teeth. 
• But it is also available in cells and tissues through out the body. 
• Phosphorous is found in protein rich foods.

Chromium:

• Chromium is a Trace Mineral.
• Chromium burns fat for energy.
• It helps in controlling the use of glucose.

Zinc:

• Strengthens your immune system and helps in healthy growth.
• Zinc is essential for healthy smell and taste.