What you eat each day is extremely important to your health and the function of your body. Food supplies your body with the essential nutrients that it uses to grow, repair and maintain the health of your cells. Every system in your body from your nervous system to your immune system requires vitamins and minerals to function properly.
What Should You Eat?
Vitamins and minerals are found in the foods that you eat, and, if you are not eating healthy foods, you are not getting enough in your diet. The foods that are the best sources for vitamins and minerals include natural healthy plant foods such as nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables. Other sources include whole grains, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy. If you eat a variety of these foods each day, you will consume adequate levels of the essential vitamins and minerals.
What Do You Need?
There are specific vitamins and minerals that are considered essential to your health. These include a combination of the eight B vitamins, which are thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and folate and vitamins A, C, D, E and K. The essential minerals include two groups, the macrominerals and the trace minerals. You need more of the macrominerals and only a small amount of the trace minerals. Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride and sulfur are the macrominerals, and iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, fluoride and selenium are the trace minerals.
Multivitamins and Supplements
Multivitamins and individual supplements are good ways to ensure that you have the nutrients that you need. In fact, the Harvard School of Public Health recommends a daily multivitamin as part of a healthy eating plan. It says that you should avoid mega supplements and instead focus your diet on the foods that naturally contain healthy nutrients. A multivitamin or supplement should be a complement to your diet and not the only source of essential nutrition.
Considerations
Vitamins and minerals are natural and safe to consume, but if you are on medications you should talk with your doctor about your medications and any vitamins that you may be taking. Some vitamins can interfere with your medication and lead to health problems. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to let you know if you are at risk for any complications. The best way to ensure a safe intake is to avoid high doses and stick to natural food sources such as colorful fruits and vegetables.
Member Comments