| Vitamins are organic compounds needed by our | | | | water. Different minerals are required in different |
| body in small amounts. Our body cannot produce | | | | amounts by the body. For example, calcium is |
| these compounds and they have to be acquired | | | | needed in a comparatively large amount in our |
| through diet. Vitamins are vital for our body to | | | | body, but only traces of some other minerals are |
| function properly. Right from the fetal stage, our | | | | required. These minerals are also called trace |
| body needs these nutrients to grow and maintain | | | | minerals and include iron, copper, zinc, iodine, etc. |
| the growth of cells and tissues. Vitamins help to | | | | A balanced diet will ideally contain most of the |
| maintain many of the systems in our body and | | | | essential vitamins and minerals. However, the diet |
| enhance our immune system. Many disorders as | | | | needs to be strictly followed daily and it must |
| well as diseases can be caused by a severe | | | | contain all major food groups. With our often |
| deficiency of vitamins. In a less severe form, | | | | hectic and stressful lifestyle, it becomes hard to |
| vitamin deficiency can hamper the functioning of | | | | plan and abide by such a strict diet on an |
| the systems in our body. However, vitamins, | | | | everyday basis. The temptation of junk or fast |
| even though they are so essential for our body, | | | | foods can further upset the nutritional balance in |
| can also be harmful if taken in excess. | | | | our body. |
| There are two main categories of vitamins, fat | | | | Vitamin and mineral supplements can be used to |
| soluble and water soluble. Fat soluble vitamins can | | | | compensate for the lack of adequate nutrition in |
| be found mainly in dairy products, meat, | | | | our diet. These supplements are available either in |
| vegetable oil and fish. We do not need to intake | | | | the form of capsules or as liquid minerals and |
| this type of vitamins on a daily basis, since they | | | | vitamins. They can top up the nutrients that we |
| are stored in our fatty tissues. The water soluble | | | | are not receiving from our daily diet. However, |
| vitamins, on the other hand, do need to be a part | | | | they should not be used in place of a balanced |
| of our daily diet. These are transported around | | | | diet or a healthy lifestyle. It is important to |
| the body dissolved in its water content and | | | | choose good quality supplements so that you can |
| cannot be stored for any length of time. Any | | | | get good value for your money. If you are taking |
| vitamins that are excess are passed through | | | | a capsule, ensure that it has a good quality enteric |
| urine. To ensure that you get the maximum | | | | coating in addition to the high quality content. The |
| benefit from water soluble vitamins, consume | | | | liquid minerals and vitamins are quickly and easily |
| foods that are steamed or grilled since cooking | | | | absorbed by the body. They are a great option |
| destroys these vitamins in food. | | | | for kids and for those who do not like to swallow |
| Minerals are inorganic and are found in soil and | | | | pills. |