Vitamins and minerals are critical compounds and chemicals that your body needs to function on a day-to-day basis. They play important roles as catalysts in vital chemical reactions within all major body systems; in disease prevention; and in healing trauma and damage to your body. Without adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals in your diet, you may experience severe health problems.
Vitamins Defined
Vitamins are compounds produced in living organisms that your body uses in small amounts as nutrients. Since your body can synthesize just three vitamins naturally -- D, K and B-7 -- you need to get most vitamins through your diet. Vitamins are divided into water-soluble and fat-soluble groups. Water-soluble vitamins, namely vitamin C and the B complex group, are used immediately and flushed out through urine when needed. Fat-soluble vitamins -- such as A, D, E and K -- are retained in the liver and remain in your body much longer.
Minerals Defined
Minerals are chemical elements that you need to survive. The two major mineral groups are macro-minerals, which are needed in large quantities, and micro-minerals, of which you only require trace amounts. The seven macro-minerals include calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium. Micro-minerals, which are no less important, include iron, selenium, zinc, copper, manganese, chromium and iodine.
Chemical Reaction Components
Your body's various systems need vitamins and minerals for their proper development and functioning. Several vital chemical reactions are not possible without these nutrients acting as catalysts. For example, bone growth requires healthy levels of calcium; food cannot be converted into usable energy without B complex vitamins; and nerve cells need phosphorus to form properly. Given how critical these chemicals and compounds are, deficiencies in vitamins and minerals can cause serious health problems.
Disease Prevention
Vitamins and minerals play an important role in helping prevent and counter diseases. Carotenoids found in foods such as carrots contain vitamin A, which helps prevent eye problems. The mineral selenium acts as an antioxidant, helping to slow down and prevent damage to our body caused by free radicals; these radicals are associated with cancer, heart disease, diabetes and macular degeneration. Other well-known antioxidants include vitamins C and E. Zinc contributes to the metabolism of protein and carbohydrates, and it supports the immune system by increasing the number of infection-fighting white blood cells or T-cells.
Wound Repair
The efficiency of your body's wound and trauma healing systems depends on the proper amount of vitamins and minerals in your body, according to Dr. J. D. Decuypere. Vitamin K and calcium are used in conjunction to ensure proper blood clotting within wounds. Vitamin C is particularly important, because it promotes the growth of small blood vessels that support the growth of newly repaired tissue. Zinc is a vital mineral for cell division and development and the production of collagen, used in wound healing and scarring. Copper is used as a component of various enzymes and also plays a role in collagen formation.
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