Vitamins & Minerals in Health Promotion

Vitamins & Minerals in Health Promotion
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Regular exercise and nutritious eating habits are the most efficient and easiest ways to promote good health. For the best results, you should also consider focusing your diet on specific vitamins and minerals that work to keep you healthy and strong. These substances can be found in numerous healthy foods that you can simply supplement into your daily diet.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin, preventing damage that may be caused by free radicals, unstable compounds that naturally form when your body transfers food into fuel to burn off as energy. Vitamin E is also necessary for red blood cell production, while also assisting your body to use vitamin K efficiently. Vitamin E is found in produce like spinach, corn, sunflower seeds and nuts.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps your body to manufacture and repair tissues, and is also essential for the formation of an important protein called collagen, used to make muscles, tendons, blood vessels and skin. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, blocking the damage that free radicals may cause. Vitamin C can be found in certain foods, such as citrus fruits, leafy greens, mango, pineapples and papaya.

Zinc

Zinc is an important mineral for the healing of wounds, as it can help to increase the speed of skin cell and tissue regrowth. Zinc also helps to protect your body from free radicals, as it has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants like zinc neutralize free radicals, preventing damage they may cause to your cells or organs. Also, zinc plays an important role in the daily function of your immune system, vision and reproduction. The best food sources of zinc are red meats, pumpkin, green beans, whole grains, shellfish and oysters.

Vitamin D

To help keep your bones healthy and stable, ensure that you have an adequate supply of vitamin D in your diet, as this nutrient helps your body absorb calcium. Calcium is necessary for helping to building bones and keeping them strong. Good vitamin D foods include fish, butter, cream and margarine.

References

Article reviewed by Helen Covington Last updated on: Feb 24, 2011

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