| The human body needs at least 90 nutrients to | | | | either through diet or nutritional supplements. |
| maintain optimum health, including a minimum of | | | | The most important minerals are known as |
| 59 minerals and 16 vitamins. Vitamins are nutrients | | | | "macrominerals" as, on a daily basis, these are |
| that are required for the body to perform | | | | required in large amounts by your body. |
| essential processes. In effect, they act as the | | | | Calcium, phosphorous and magnesium play a |
| trigger for enzymes to make all your bodies | | | | major role in the growth and maintenance of |
| processes happen. | | | | bones and teeth. Magnesium also relaxes muscles |
| Vitamins are instrumental in protecting arteries, | | | | and keeps blood vessel walls flexible, helping to |
| making healthy skin, boosting your immune | | | | prevent heart disease. It also acts in boosting |
| system, balancing hormones and energy | | | | around 300 enzyme functions in your body. |
| production. They are also vital for the functioning | | | | Potassium is used by your body to conduct nerve |
| of your brain and nervous system. Antioxidant | | | | impulses, initiate muscle contractions (especially |
| vitamins (vitamins A, C and E) help protect your | | | | the heart) and helps to lower blood pressure. It |
| body from free radicals caused by pollution, slow | | | | also enables your body to convert blood sugar |
| down the ageing process and help protect you | | | | into stored energy. Most of the other minerals are |
| from cancer and heart disease. | | | | known as "microminerals" or "trace minerals" as |
| When your body need to convert food into | | | | your body requires them in relatively small |
| energy, it is vital that there is a sufficient supply | | | | amounts. These include iron, cobalt, chromium, |
| of vitamin C and B vitamins for this to be | | | | copper, iodine, manganese, selenium, zinc and |
| accomplished. Vitamin D helps your body to | | | | molybdenum. |
| absorb calcium and promotes healthy bones and | | | | Whilst these are only required in small amounts - |
| strong teeth. It also has a role to play in | | | | less than 100mg per day - they have thousands |
| protecting against some cancers. | | | | of key roles to play in your health. Vitamins and |
| Minerals are also essential for practically every | | | | minerals are essential for the proper growth, |
| process in your body. As your body doesn't | | | | development and protection of your body. |
| produce any minerals, they must be obtained | | | | |