VITAMINS AND MINERALS FOR HEALTH
May 12th, 2008
Vitamins and minerals are substances that your body needs to grow and develop. Your body uses vitamins for a variety of biological processes, including digestion, nerve function and growth. Nutrient needs should be met primarily through a balanced diet with supplementation suggested for certain sensitive populations. The best way to get enough vitamins and minerals is to eat a balanced diet with a variety of foods. At the same time, foods should be chosen that limit the intake of saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, added sugars, and salt.
There are 13 vitamins your body needs; they are Vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and the B Vitamins. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, many people consume more calories than required without taking in the recommended amounts of nutrients. Dietary supplements are not meant to be food substitutes, as they can’t replace the nutrients and benefits found in whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables. However, dietary supplements can improve and maintain health if your regular diet does not contain enough nutrients.
For some people, including those on restrictive diets, vitamin supplements can provide the vitamins and minerals that their diets often don’t. Taking a daily multivitamin is also beneficial for those who eat a healthy diet. Vitamins do much more than prevent the deficiency diseases, such as scurvy and rickets. They also aid in warding off health conditions including cancer and heart disease. Vitamin supplements should be chosen that state ‘USP’ on the label, indicating that the supplement meets standards for strength, purity, disintegration, and dissolution established by the testing organization U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP).
Relatively few people get enough of the five key vitamins necessary to prevent several chronic diseases. These include: Folate, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E. A standard multivitamin supplement can often supply you with a partial amount of these vitamins. Often, additional supplements such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E may be necessary to fulfill normal daily vitamin requirements. Both water soluble vitamins (Vitamin C and B-Complex Vitamins) and fat soluble vitamins (Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K) are considered essential for proper body function.
Many products are marketed as dietary supplements. It is important to remember that supplements include vitamins and minerals, as well as herbs, botanicals and other substances. For more information about vitamins and minerals for health call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician and Homeopath, at (305) 595-9500.
Leave a Reply