Nutritional Information For Vitamins And Minerals

Essential for the health of the human body, vitamins and minerals must be obtained through diet. The scientific understanding of the role of vitamins and minerals has led to fortification of foods and widely-available dietary advice. Together, these factors have dramatically decreased the incidence of deficiency diseases in the industrialized world. The scientific understanding of these important nutrients in maintaining wellness is still growing. Use vitamin and mineral supplements under the supervision of a qualified health professional.

Vitamins

Vitamins, necessary for metabolic functioning, are organic substances, classified as either fat-soluble or water-soluble. The fat-soluble category is comprised of vitamins A, D, E and K. Fat-soluble vitamins, found in dietary oils and fats, are stored in the fatty tissues, according to the textbook "Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies." Cooking does not easily damage fat-soluble vitamins and a daily intake is not necessary. In fact, taking in high doses of fat-soluble vitamins can lead to a dangerous toxic buildup in the liver and fatty tissues. On the other hand, water-soluble vitamins B and C enter the bloodstream directly and are excreted if consumed in excess amounts. High heat and long storage can damage these vitamins.

Minerals

Minerals serve several dietary purposes. Minerals help maintain the structure of bones and teeth, regulate body fluids and convert food into energy, according to the U.K.'s National Health Services. Inorganic substances that originate in the earth itself, dietary minerals are divided into two categories: macrominerals and microminerals. Macrominerals are required in amounts exceeding 100 mg per day, while microminerals are needed in much smaller amounts.

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies

True vitamin and mineral deficiencies are now rare in industrialized nations. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, deficiencies continue to take a terrible toll worldwide. A lack of vitamin A is responsible for 500,000 cases of blindness among children in developing countries. An astonishing 66 to 80 percent of the world's population may suffer from iron deficiencies, leading to impaired learning capacity. Up to 300,000 babies are born annually with neural tube defects due to inadequate folate intakes, and iodine deficiencies cause neurological damage in millions worldwide.

The Role of Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

A varied, nutrient-rich diet based on colorful vegetables and fruits, lean proteins, low-fat milk products, healthy lipids and whole grains typically provides all the vitamins and minerals necessary for human health. However, Dr. Michael Roizen of Cleveland Clinic's Wellness Institute contends that multivitamins can serve as an "insurance policy" for people with imperfect diets. He states that multivitamin formulations targeted toward a specific age, gender or health condition are unnecessary. To maintain a steady level of vitamins in your body, Roizen recommends splitting your multivitamin down the middle, taking half in the morning and half in the evening.