The Simple Guide To Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins are organic molecules that function in a wide variety of capacities within the body. The most outstanding function of the vitamins is to act as cofactors for enzymatic responses. They are either fat-soluble or water-soluble . The fat-soluble vitamins can be remembered using the mnemonic ADEK, as in vitamins A, D, E and K. Vitamins are essential for the normal growth and development of a multi-cellular organism. The developing foetus requires specific vitamins and minerals to be present at certain times.

Why Are Vitamins Important

Vitamins and minerals, have an unparalleled role to play in maintaining your health. For instance, Vitamin A helps to develop and strengthen body tissues such as bone and skin. It also enhances one's vision, reproduction, nervous system function and growth. Vitamin D helps your body draw the amount of calcium (a mineral) it needs to develop strong bones. Generically, vitamins are great for enhancing the immune system, support normal growth and development, and help cells and organs perform their functions. Vitamins and minerals can also play an important role in hair growth and aid in balancing depression and normalizing sleeping behaviours.


The Repercussions of Vitamins Deficiency

Vitamins and minerals are utilized by our bodies and if we don't get enough of the right ones it can affect us mentally and physically. As our bodies do not make vitamins and minerals, we have to get them from food.

Insufficiency can cause macrocytic anemia , elevated homocysteine , peripheral neuropathy , amnesia and other cognitive deficits. It is most likely to occur among older people as absorption through the gut worsens with age; the autoimmune disorder pernicious anaemia is another common cause. Inadequacies of this vitamin in severe cases can cause rickets and osteomalacia (softening of the bones). The recommended daily consumption for men and women over the age of 50 is about 10 mms/day. Deficiencies are generally seen only after long antibiotic drug therapies which use up the intestinal fauna or following excessive consumption of raw eggs. The latter is owed to the affinity of the egg white protein, avidin , for biotin preventing intestinal absorption of the biotin.

Although vitamins are all important to the normal operating of our bodies. Excessive amounts of certain vitamins can be harmful. The fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K accumulate within the fat storages of the body and within the liver. Such vitamins are often associated with toxicity when consumed large amounts.