| We have all been taught about the importance of | | | | water soluble. Vitamins, A, D, E and K fall in the |
| feeding on balanced diets that contain | | | | fat soluble category, meaning that, they can |
| carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and | | | | dissolve in fat and be stored in the body. Vitamins |
| water. Apart from this knowledge, some of us do | | | | C and B complex are water soluble and are not |
| not really know what comprises these elements. | | | | stored in the body and hence need to be taken |
| Well, let us first note that, these elements are | | | | regularly as they are passed out of the body with |
| contained in a variety of foods, but in different | | | | urine. |
| quantities. Let us take a detailed look and see | | | | Minerals are inorganic elements which are obtained |
| what vitamins and minerals really are and how | | | | from the soil and water. They are absorbed by |
| they are beneficial to our bodies. | | | | plants and when we consume the plant products, |
| Vitamins and minerals are commonly known as | | | | they get into our bodies. Some are required in |
| protective food, meaning that, they contain | | | | large quantities and others in small ones, but all the |
| elements that help our bodies fight diseases and | | | | same, they are all very important in helping the |
| recover when attacked by disease-causing | | | | body function normally. They include calcium, zinc, |
| pathogens. They do this by boosting the immune | | | | potassium, iodine, iron and copper. It is important |
| system and helping cells and other body organs to | | | | to make sure that vitamins and minerals are |
| do their job as required. | | | | consumed in their right proportions as over or |
| There are many types of vitamins and minerals. | | | | under-consumption has its own detrimental |
| Vitamins come in two categories; fat soluble and | | | | effects. |