Vitamins and minerals are compounds needed to provide nutrition to the body. These compounds are connected to every function in the body. Although vitamins were not discovered until the 20th century, people before understood certain foods could prevent certain illnesses. For example, sailors of the Middle Ages took lemons along when taking long oceanic trips. This helped solved the problem of scurvy, a major killer at the time.
Disease Prevention
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can lead to serious disease and even death. A serious vitamin B-1 deficiency can cause beriberi, which leads to muscle weakness and pain, edema and speech difficulties. In advanced cases, it can cause heart failure. A vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, which can weaken bones and cause skeletal deformities in children.
Energy Maintenance
A vitamin or mineral deficiency can lead to anemia. A low-count of red blood cells causes fatigue, muscle weakness and problems concentrating. In short, low energy, both physically and mentally. Low levels of vitamin C can lead to tiredness, as does low iron or vitamin B-12 in your blood. Magnesium is responsible for converting food into energy so your muscles can work properly. A deficiency can cause muscle spasms and weakness.
Cellular Benefits
Certain vitamins are antioxidants. These include vitamins A, E and C. These vitamins help slow down the effect of oxidative stress on the body, thus keeping cells young and strong. This might help prevent certain diseases, like Parkinson and Alzheimer's. It will also improve the health of your skin, which is why these vitamins are used in anti-wrinkle preparations.
Promotes Growth
In children, a balanced diet rich in all vitamins and minerals is essential for development. Without them, bones won't develop properly. Neither will the nervous system. In adults, vitamins and minerals provide a steady supply of nutrients to keep the immune system strong. A combination of vitamins, minerals and sunshine is essential to help build bone protein and keep your bones strong. Vitamin B-12 is essential to produce red blood cells.
References
- Harvard Medical School: Vitamins and Minerals: Choosing the Nutrients You Need to Stay Healthy
- Kids Health: Vitamins
- Cornell Cooperative Extension Service of Lewis County: Vitamins and Minerals
- Netdoctor; Vitamins and Minerals -- What Do They Do?; Dr Dan Rutherford, GP; April 2007
- MedLine Plus: Beriberi
- Colorado State University; Vitamin D (Calcitriol); R. Bowen; April 2010
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