Sunday, September 25, 2011

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins and Minerals are essential nutrients that our body requires daily in order to function normally. Vitamins are a complex organic molecules that are required to carry out the normal functions of our body. Minerals are the basic components of all matter and are essential in building the body cells, therefore, minerals are called as building blocks of the body.

It is important to know how our body works. Ever day our body manufactures 200 billion red body cells and every 120 days our blood supply is totally replaced. Every 1 to 3 months our skin regenerates and our bone structure is destroyed and rebuilt within 90 days. Thus, to carry out this major rebuilding of the body, vitamins and minerals are very essential.

Vitamins are divided into two types: fat soluble and water soluble. Fat soluble vitamin are stored in the fat tissues and liver. They can remain in the body up to six months. When the body requires these minerals, they are transported to the area of requirement with in the body with help of special carriers. The fat soluble vitamins include vitamin Water A, D, E and K.

Water soluble vitamins are not stored in the body like the fat soluble ones. They travel in the blood stream and need to be replenished every day. Water soluble vitamins include the vitamin B group and vitamin C.

Minerals are important as vitamins in the development of our body. They are known as "spark of life" as they have a multi-functional role in our body. They are found in cells, tissues, organs, in fact the whole body . There are two types of minerals essential minerals and trace elements.

Essential minerals include calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium and sulfur. The trace elements are required in very minute quantity than vitamins and minerals. They include boron, cobalt, copper, chromium, florid, iodine, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, silicon. and zinc.

Minerals play an important role in catalyzing or activating an enzyme in the body. If there is deficiency of any mineral, it may lead to acute or chronic ailments. Decrease in potassium and magnesium may lead to heart attacks. Minerals help in prevention of osteoporosis, cancer, arthritis, goiter, gastrointestinal problems, periodontal disease and anemia.

Potassium, sodium, iron and calcium phosphates are essential in nerve formations. Minerals are needed for controlling body fluids inside and outside the cells. They help in converting the food into energy. If even a single mineral is deficient in the body, the normal functioning of the body cells gets hampered. Proteins, carbohydrate, fats and vitamins are rendered useless if there are no minerals to catalyze. the chemical molecules in the body. Thus, without the minerals, body cannot function normally. Before you start on any vitamin or mineral tablets, you should consult your doctor for advice.

If you would like to read about the vitamins and minerals I have mentioned, go to this link I t will be the first one on the page.

http://www.buzzle,com/articles/why-do-we-need-vitamins-and-minerals.html

NOTE: I do believe that the second paragraph is worth knowing about your body function.

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11 comments:

Arti said...

This was so informative and reading it made me nostalgic as well!! It was like sitting in the biology classroom all over again!!
Nice read, refreshed many memories.
Have a great week ahead Margaret:)

ann said...

Very interesting. And this very night on the national news, they say Women shouldn't be taking so many vitamins and supplements. Says they die sooner (or something)... No one knows who or what to believe anymore. They change their minds from day to day. For a while I took a one a day vitamin every day.. my doctor said even if they didn't help me they couldn't hurt me.. I don't take them every day any more.. sometimes if I feel sluggish I will take one.. just not often. Probably the most important thing is to remember to pray before we eat or take medicine. ?? Do I sound confused? I am !! Nice blog, Margaret!!

ra said...

quite informative blog Margaret.

i remember those good old days when my mom would recommend what one must eat and what should be avoided.

thank you once again Ma'm.

Keep Well

Regards
Rahul
india

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Well informative and an important issue to our well being.

Thanks for coming by.
Have a good week.
Yvonne.

Merle said...

Dear Margaret ~~ Very interesting and informative post -- thank you for your research and sharing it with us.
Thanks for your comments and I am glad John is home and that you liked the jokes. I liked the Never Assume one and also hope the plane landed safely. I hope the week we are having is a good one for you, my friend.
Love, Merle.

DeniseinVA said...

Love your posts Margaret, always so interesting and great information to read. Hope all goes well with you. My English friend has left now so I am trying to catch up with my blogging friends. Hope your week is going well. Love, Denise x

Linda said...

Interesting, Margaret, as always.

I don't take vitamin supplements though and am thankful that I haven't because they've been in the news lately - how dangerous they can be. Seems like every time a doctor tells us something is good - it turns out to be contrary later. I just tend to avoid the experts, ha, and do the best I can without them.

Hope you have a beautiful week,
Linda

Anonymous said...

Well, I have been taking a daily supplement every day just in case I don't eat my veggies right and now they are saying it's dangerous! Say what???!!!! Those darn researchers seem to change their minds every couple of months. Not too long ago "they" said not to eat eggs or drink coffee. And now it seems it's okay. I don't get it!

Urmi said...

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Kay said...

What? I didn't hear anything about taking vitamin supplements not being good for you. You just don't know what to believe anymore. They've always said the BEST way to get your vitamins and minerals is from food and not pills. I think this is probably very true.

romance-of-roses said...

I have read articles for and against vitamins but I believe in them and take mine daily. Thanks so much for this post, it's very informative. Hugs...Lu

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