Vitamins and Minerals Articles

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Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients your body needs in order to function properly. Vitamins and minerals boost your immune system and promote normal growth and development in the human body. There are 13 vitamins your body needs, A, C, D, E, K and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and folate).

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What is a vitamin? - A vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts by an organism. A compound is called a vitamin when it cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities by an organism, and must be obtained from the diet. Thus, the term is conditional both on the circumstances and the particular organism. For example, ascorbic acid functions as vitamin C for some animals but not others. Vitamins, which are not considered minerals, are organic compounds, some of which contain heavy elements such as iodine and cobalt.

What is a mineral? - Dietary minerals are the chemical elements required by living organisms, other than the four elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen which are present in common organic molecules. Dietary minerals classified as "macromineral" are required in relatively large amounts. Conversely "microminerals" or "trace minerals" are required relatively in minute amounts.

At least seven minerals are required to support biochemical processes.
Calcium (for muscle, heart and digestive system health, builds bone, neutralizes acidity, supports synthesis and function of blood cells).
Chloride (for production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and in cellular pump functions).
Magnesium is required for processing ATP and related reactions (health, builds bone, increases alkalinity).
Phosphorus is a component of bones (see apatite) and energy processing and many other functions (bone mineralization).
Potassium is a systemic electrolyte and is essential in coregulating ATP with sodium.
Sodium is a systemic electrolyte and is essential in coregulating ATP with potassium.

Vitamin Information

Taking Folic Acid While Pregnant - Folic acid is an important vitamin to the developing fetus in that it aids cell development, particularly those cells involved in the development of the baby's spine.

MSM Vitamin Facts - MSM vitamins are relatively new, and the majority of people do not even notice they are taking the supplement in terms of how your body reacts. However, some people are much more sensitive to substances they put into their bodies.

How to Know What Vitamins are Best for You - Most of the supplements on the shelves of health-food shops, drug stores and supermarkets contain "vitamins" that are man-made chemicals and "minerals" that are ground up rocks or mineral salts.

Are You Iodine Deficient? - In the United States alone, nearly 13 million people suffer from some type of thyroid imbalance, and are totally unaware of it. Iodine is a necessary nutrient, not only for proper thyroid functioning but, it is also essential for the normal functioning of your body cells, nervous system, muscles, brain development, oxygen utilization, metabolism, a strong immune system, and a whole lot more.

Healthy Joint Function with Vitamins - The joints are very important to your mobility and it is essential that you support health joint function with discount vitamins. The reason for discounted vitamins is that there is no need for you to pay more than you have to, and good healthy bones and joints need a good supply of several vitamins, minerals and other substances to remain healthy throughout your lifetime.

Vitamins and Minerals A to K - A balanced diet that includes a wide variety of the main food groups generaly provides all the vitamins and minerals that your body needs. There are currently 13 vitamins and minerals. This article explains what each one is and what foods contain what vitamins.

Iron Deficiency - One in five women and half of all pregnant women are iron deficient. Iron deficiency is the most common known form of nutritional deficiency. In the human body, iron is present in all cells and has several vital functions.

Anemia Awareness - This month is sickle cell anemia awareness month, and for those who don't know, its time to get familiar with this lifelong syndrome affecting thousands. Anemia, meaning a lower than average red blood cell count, makes you tired, causes pain, and makes it harder to get things done.

Mental Health And Vitamin Supplements - Vitamin and mineral supplements can be used to avoid many of the mental problems that a deficiency can cause. Of these, the various members of the vitamin B complex is that which is indicated most, and also zinc and magnesium supplementation are amongst the essential minerals required.

Take Vitamins Regularly - It is important to take your vitamins regularly because the beneficial effect of vitamins on your body builds up over a period time, and is not a short-term 'fix'. However, prior to examining the benefits of regular vitamin intake, let's have a look at why they are an essential part of our nutritional requirements.

Taking Magnesium for Depression and Health Conditions - Do you know that depression and anxiety are among a long list of magnesium deficiency symptoms?

Vitamin D - Mention Vitamin D to most people and they will try not to yawn. One of the less glamorous vitamins it is known as the sunshine vitamin because our skin, when exposed to the ultraviolet rays in sunlight, manufactures vitamin D.

The History of Vitamins - Vitamins have an extremely long history, though until relatively recently it was not one that had been recognized. In ancient times, when mankind gave up the nomadic lifestyle of the hunter gatherer and formed early cities and developed the beginnings of fixed and sustainable agriculture; it was soon realized and noted by the ancient scribes of Sumeria (in present day Iraq) that food could affect health in more subtle ways than to simply keep people alive.

Salt and Sodium - Salt is not the only source of sodium you should be concerned about. When the USDA minimum daily requirement for sodium was listed between 1,110 mg and 3,300 mg, many people thought the USDA was referring to only salt.

Food with Niacin Benefits - Niacin, also called nicotinic acid, is a member of the B-group of water-soluble vitamins and occurs in food with niacin. Also known as B3, niacin has many beneficial properties and food with niacin should be included in the diet as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Why is Vitamin C Important? - In humans, vitamin C is a highly effective antioxidant, acting to lessen oxidative stress, a substrate for ascorbate peroxidase, as well as an enzyme cofactor for the biosynthesis of many important biochemicals.

Choosing the Best Multi Vitamin - Browsing any drugstore or super market to buy multi vitamins, you will know they come in all shapes and sizes, as well as a range of prices. Which multi vitamin is best for you? Finding out takes time and research, especially if you want to supplement for a vitamin deficiency brought about by disease or illness.

How Much Calcium do you Need? - You've probably heard that you need to take a calcium supplement each day - even if you are taking a multi-vitamin.

Who gets Hemochromatosis - Hereditary hemochromatosis takes many years to display its true nature. This is because it takes time to load iron in the body. Men usually load more quickly than women. This is because women have monthly menstrual cycles and have children. Each pregnancy is equivalent to the loss of 1 gram of iron. So the bar is "set lower" to confirm the diagnosis of HH in women.

Best Vitamins for Energy - We need all vitamins and minerals for good health, well being and energy. However, particular nutrient deficiencies are associated with reduced energy and chronic tiredness. These include iron, magnesium, B12 and folic acid.

Vitamins - The Basics - Some vitamins like vitamin B5 have been found to be synthesized by bacteria in the human large intestines. However it is not clear if the vitamins are available for absorption and use by the body.

Vitamins Minerals and Herbal Supplements - Even the most advanced wellness consumers, who one might expect to shun any and all elements of the modern medical establishment, are still buying the one thing that symbolizes allopathic medicine to most of us: pills.

Benefits of Vitamin E in Question - Numerous studies have proven that physical health and longevity are linked to the following: eating a balanced diet, maintaining proper weight, exercising regularly, using condoms and limiting the number of sexual partners, avoiding tobacco, and avoiding alcohol or consuming it in moderation.

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