Vitamins
Vitamins are organic compounds that are necessary for normal growth and maintenance of life. As we are unable to synthesize vitamins, we must rely on foods and food supplements to maintain adequate amounts in our body.
Thirteen essential vitamins have been isolated and these are divided into two categories, water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. The water-soluble vitamins include Vitamin C and the group of B-Vitamins. These water-soluble are not stored by the body and can be readily depleted. The fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E remain in the body for longer periods of time.
Minerals
Although minerals make up only a small fraction of total body weight (4-5%), they are essential for human metabolism. Minerals act as the catalysts for many biochemical reactions within the human body. They are involved in responses of the nervous system and muscles, the absorption and secretions of the body's fluids, and maintain a delicate water balance within the body. The bones and teeth of our body have high mineral contents which accounts for their hardness and rigidity. Minerals, like vitamins, must also be supplied by dietary means as we are unable to synthesize them in our body.
Vitamin & Mineral | Nutritional Benefit and Function | Relationships & Interactions |
Vitamin A (1-5, 7) 3 |
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Vitamin C (1-5, 7, 8) |
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Vitamin D (1-5,7) |
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Vitamin E (1-5, 7, 9) |
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Thiamine (B-1) (1-5, 7) |
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Riboflavin (B-2) (1-5,7) |
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Niacin (1-5, 7) |
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Pyridoxine (B-6) (1-5, 7, 10) |
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Folic Acid (1-5, 7) |
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Pantothenic Acid (1-5, 7) |
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Biotin (1-5, 7) |
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Cobalamin (B-12) (1-5, 7) |
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Calcium (1-3, 6) |
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Magnesium (1-3, 6, 15) |
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Phosphorus (1-2, 6) |
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Iron (1-3, 6) |
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Zinc (1-3, 6, 13) |
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Potassium (1-3, 5, 6) |
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Iodine (1-3, 6) |
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Chromium (1-3, 6) |
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Manganese (1-3, 6) |
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Selenium (1-3, 12, 17, 19) |
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Source: carlsonlabs.com/t-vitamin-and-mineral-facts.aspx