For this month's article we are going to take a quick look at vitamins and minerals with a view to delve a little deeper next month by looking at their uses within our bodies and good sources of them...

VITS AND MINS

For this month’s article we are going to take a quick look at vitamins and minerals with a view to delve a little deeper next month by looking at their uses within our bodies and good sources of them.

MICRONUTRIENTS: Vitamins and Minerals are collectively known as micronutrients in the same way that protein, fats and carbohydrates are grouped together under the heading of macronutrients. Although the ‘micro’ denotes small, in this case meaning small quantities, they play as vital a role as macronutrients.

VITAMINS

These are organic compounds (a chemical compound that contains carbon) that help the body function properly. All vitamins are produced by plants and we obtain our vitamin needs by eating plant material or by consuming animals that have eaten plants. The major natural source of Vitamin D is through a chemical process that occurs from the interaction of the sun with the lower layers of our skin.

FAT SOLUBLE VITAMINS: Vitamins A, D, E and K are present in foods containing fats. The body absorbs these vitamins as it does dietary fat. As they are insoluble in water our body can store them indefinitely and then utilise them when needed. This means we don’t necessarily have to digest them on a daily basis but also means that in very rare circumstances the level of stored fat-soluble vitamins could become toxic.

WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS: Vitamins B and C are soluble in water and therefore not stored in the body. The body absorbs what it needs and then usually excretes the excess in your urine. Due to this fact the body needs a continuous daily supply.

Consuming fresh vegetables, fruit, lean meats, poultry and dairy should provide you with all your water soluble vitamin requirements without needing to resort to a multi-vitamin suppleme

VITS AND MINS

For this month’s article we are going to take a quick look at vitamins and minerals with a view to delve a little deeper next month by looking at their uses within our bodies and good sources of them.

MICRONUTRIENTS: Vitamins and Minerals are collectively known as micronutrients in the same way that protein, fats and carbohydrates are grouped together under the heading of macronutrients. Although the ‘micro’ denotes small, in this case meaning small quantities, they play as vital a role as macronutrients.

VITAMINS

These are organic compounds (a chemical compound that contains carbon) that help the body function properly. All vitamins are produced by plants and we obtain our vitamin needs by eating plant material or by consuming animals that have eaten plants. The major natural source of Vitamin D is through a chemical process that occurs from the interaction of the sun with the lower layers of our skin.

FAT SOLUBLE VITAMINS: Vitamins A, D, E and K are present in foods containing fats. The body absorbs these vitamins as it does dietary fat. As they are insoluble in water our body can store them indefinitely and then utilise them when needed. This means we don’t necessarily have to digest them on a daily basis but also means that in very rare circumstances the level of stored fat-soluble vitamins could become toxic.

WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS: Vitamins B and C are soluble in water and therefore not stored in the body. The body absorbs what it needs and then usually excretes the excess in your urine. Due to this fact the body needs a continuous daily supply.

Consuming fresh vegetables, fruit, lean meats, poultry and dairy should provide you with all your water soluble vitamin requirements without needing to resort to a multi-vitamin supplement. The problem with today’s modern supermarket supply chain, however, is the uncertainty of quality of the produce. So personally I take a vitamin B and a vitamin C supplement every day just to cover all the bases.

MINERALS

These are inorganic compounds (not containing carbon) that are necessary for structure (bones, teeth, muscle, blood, tissue and nerve cells), regulating our metabolism and regulating the hormonal and nervous interactions within our body. They do not provide energy but do allow our bodies to unlock the energy provided by the macronutrients within our diet.

Minerals form approximately 4% of our mass and are mainly in our skeletal structure. Plants extract them from the soil and we ingest them through a varied diet.

The main minerals (macro minerals) are Calcium, Phosphate, Sulphur, Sodium, Potassium, Chlorine and Magnesium and these are needed in greater quantities.

There is a sub-group of trace minerals that are required in much smaller quantities: Iron, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Iodine, Molybdenum and Cobalt.

Minerals can be found in a variety of foods: dairy, meat, vegetables, fruits, nuts and cereal products so by eating a varied and balanced diet all your mineral requirements should be met.

nt. The problem with today’s modern supermarket supply chain, however, is the uncertainty of quality of the produce. So personally I take a vitamin B and a vitamin C supplement every day just to cover all the bases.

MINERALS

These are inorganic compounds (not containing carbon) that are necessary for structure (bones, teeth, muscle, blood, tissue and nerve cells), regulating our metabolism and regulating the hormonal and nervous interactions within our body. They do not provide energy but do allow our bodies to unlock the energy provided by the macronutrients within our diet.

Minerals form approximately 4% of our mass and are mainly in our skeletal structure. Plants extract them from the soil and we ingest them through a varied diet.

The main minerals (macro minerals) are Calcium, Phosphate, Sulphur, Sodium, Potassium, Chlorine and Magnesium and these are needed in greater quantities.

There is a sub-group of trace minerals that are required in much smaller quantities: Iron, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Iodine, Molybdenum and Cobalt.

Minerals can be found in a variety of foods: dairy, meat, vegetables, fruits, nuts and cereal products so by eating a varied and balanced diet all your mineral requirements should be met.