Food can be a strong medicine. Many experts agree, that
nutrition plays an essential role in preventing and treating an
assortment of illnesses. The vitamins and minerals found in food
can protect against many diseases including cancer, heart
disease, osteoporosis and diabetes. Many people confuse the role
of food vs. vitamins. They think, if vitamins play such an
important role in health, why not just pop a pill and forget
about it? The answer is because in order for certain vitamins to
be effective they need to work with food, and are not productive
alone. For example, in order for calcium to be fully absorbed by
the body, vitamin d also has to be present. Therefore, taking a
calcium pill can often be ineffective compared to eating calcium
rich foods, which are naturally designed to be easily absorbed
by the body. Also, vitamin pills do not satisfy hunger or
provide other vital nutrients such as fiber; both of which aid
in the weight loss process. At times, it is beneficial to take
nutritional supplements, but one should never forget the value
of healthy eating.
Vitamins & Minerals are essential to sustain life. Its what
keeps us alive and healthy. Among many other things, they help
us digest food, burn energy, grow hair, re-build muscel fibers,
strenghten cells, and its what keeps our skin smooth. Since our
bodies are made out of these certain vitamins and minerals, we
need to consume these nutrients daily to replenish our bodys
useages.
Vitamins and Minerals are macronutrients. A
macronutrient is something that our body needs in small amounts.
This is different than nutrients that we need in larger amounts
like proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Not only are vitamins and
minerals macronutrients, but they are considered coenzymes as
well. This is because they assist the enzymes in the body to
carry out all of the daily activities as efficiently as
possible.
There are about 50 essential nutrients.
Intro to Vitamins and
Minerals
*RDA stands for Recommended Daily Allowance
*MG stands for Milligram
The 6 major classes of nutrients are:
1. water - Essential for all body functions
2. carbohydrates - Fuel or "go" foods
3. fats - Concentrated Fuel or "go" foods
4. proteins - Building blocks or "grow" foods
5. vitamins - "glow" foods
6. minerals - "glow" foods
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