The human body needs at least 90 nutrients to maintain optimum health, including a minimum of 59 minerals and 16 vitamins. Vitamins are nutrients that are required for the body to perform essential processes. In effect, they act as the trigger for enzymes to make all your bodies processes happen.
Vitamins are instrumental in protecting arteries, making healthy skin, boosting your immune system, balancing hormones and energy production. They are also vital for the functioning of your brain and nervous system. Antioxidant vitamins (vitamins A, C and E) help protect your body from free radicals caused by pollution, slow down the ageing process and help protect you from cancer and heart disease.
When your body need to convert food into energy, it is vital that there is a sufficient supply of vitamin C and B vitamins for this to be accomplished. Vitamin D helps your body to absorb calcium and promotes healthy bones and strong teeth. It also has a role to play in protecting against some cancers.
Minerals are also essential for practically every process in your body. As your body doesn't produce any minerals, they must be obtained either through diet or nutritional supplements.
The most important minerals are known as "macrominerals" as, on a daily basis, these are required in large amounts by your body.
Calcium, phosphorous and magnesium play a major role in the growth and maintenance of bones and teeth. Magnesium also relaxes muscles and keeps blood vessel walls flexible, helping to prevent heart disease. It also acts in boosting around 300 enzyme functions in your body.
Potassium is used by your body to conduct nerve impulses, initiate muscle contractions (especially the heart) and helps to lower blood pressure. It also enables your body to convert blood sugar into stored energy. Most of the other minerals are known as "microminerals" or "trace minerals" as your body requires them in relatively small amounts. These include iron, cobalt, chromium, copper, iodine, manganese, selenium, zinc and molybdenum.
Whilst these are only required in small amounts - less than 100mg per day - they have thousands of key roles to play in your health. Vitamins and minerals are essential for the proper growth, development and protection of your body.
Autor: Steve Stapleton Steve Stapleton
Level: Platinum
Steve has been advising customers on vitamins, minerals and other supplements for 7 years. His plain, uncomplicated and impartial advice has now been carried through ... ...
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Added: June 20, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
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