What is Vitamins and Minerals? | Types Sources and their Functions

What is Vitamins?

We learned on the nutrition page that good nutrition, means eating the right foods so that our bodies get the vitamins and minerals it needs. Our bodies need vitamins and minerals to function. Different parts of our body like eyes, brain, muscles and bones need different nutrients to grow and stay healthy.

Vitamins are organic compounds that humans need in small amounts. Each person has a different role in maintaining health and bodily functions. Some people need supplements to increase their supply, but it depends on their lifestyle and general health.

Vitamins:

Below we have provided the list of vitamins that our bodies need:

Vitamin A

• Eyes, immune system, skin
• Milk, eggs, orange and green vegetables

Vitamin C

• Bones, blood vessels, teeth, gums, healing, brain
• Berries, bell peppers, oranges, spinach, tomatoes

Vitamin D

• Bones
• Sunlight, milk, fish oil, eggs

Vitamin E

• Blood, cells
• Nuts, green leafy vegetables, whole grains

Vitamin B12

• Red blood cells, nerves
• Fish, milk, cheese, red meat, chicken

Vitamin B6

• Brain, nerves, proteins
• Bananas, nuts, red meat, chicken, fish, eggs, beans

Thiamin (B1)

• Muscles, nervous system, heart
• Meat, fish, beans, peas

Niacin (B3)

• Skin, nerves
• Chicken, red meat, peanuts, fish

Riboflavin (B2)

• Energy, red blood cells, eyes
• Meat, eggs, peas, nuts, milk, green vegetables

Folate (B9, folic acid)

• Red blood cells, DNA
• Green vegetables, beans, liver, oranges

What is Minerals?

Minerals are elements found in the earth and in food that our bodies need to grow and function properly. Those essential for health include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, iron, zinc, iodine, chromium, copper, fluoride, molybdenum, manganese, and selenium.

From the above definition, we can infer that minerals are inorganic substances that are necessary for the normal functioning of the human body. The human body needs different amounts of minerals daily to build strong bones and muscles. It also helps to maintain various bodily functions. Therefore, we get these nutrients by eating foods rich in minerals.

Minerals:

Below we have provided the list of vitamins and minerals that our bodies need:

Calcium

• Bones and teeth
• Milk, yogurt, cheese, green vegetables

Iron

• Blood
• Red meat, poultry, soy, green leafy vegetables, fish, pork

Magnesium

• Muscles, nerves, bones, energy
• Nuts, whole grains, breads, bananas, milk

Phosphorus

• Bones, teeth, energy, cells
• Milk, meat, fish

Potassium

• Muscles, nervous system
• Potatoes, broccoli, bananas, fruits

Zinc

• Growth, immune system, healing
• Red meat, seafood, nuts, milk, whole grains, poultry