The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Health and Wellness

Vitamins and minerals play an essential part of how our body functions and stays healthy. Vitamins work individually for certain purposes but function properly as a partnership with other vitamins and minerals in our body. They need other nutrients and substances within our body to process and function well to achieve their full potential.

Vitamins are organic compounds necessary for the body to function. The body uses vitamins as building blocks and they are necessary for various functions. To be at your best, you must have an adequate amount of each of the vitamins daily. Many people will use supplements to obtain their optimum nutritional needs in addition to a well balanced diet. Many factors, including lack of abundant nutrients in our soil, have led our food values to be questionable.

Vitamins are characterized as water-soluble or fat-soluble. The B complex, C and bioflavonoids are water-soluble vitamins measured in milligrams. They are easily absorbed into the body. The fat-soluble vitamins are A, E, K, and D and measured in units. They are stored in the fatty tissues of the body. Taking excess amounts of these vitamins can lead to toxicity.

Minerals are also essential nutrients for you physical and mental health. Minerals form the part of the tissue structures and are components of the hormones and enzymes that regulate your immune system processes, the growth and energy in your body. The enzymes and hormones depend on minerals to function properly.

Minerals regulate the flow of fluids and water levels in the body. They are necessary to rejuvenate your energy when you become fatigued and help improve your memory and concentration. Minerals also help strengthen the nervous systems and the skeletal system.
Minerals are necessary for hair growth, to keep your heartbeat normal and many other functions.

The body needs all the essential nutrients to function properly. If there is a deficiency in just one mineral, for example, your body's overall system begins to weaken and work less efficiently. Then eventually disease will set in. Without minerals, vitamins have no purpose. Without vitamins, however, the body still uses minerals.

The Vitamins and Minerals Your Body Needs:

The vitamin B complex group includes Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid or simply Foliate), Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) and Biotin (Vitamin H).

Vitamin B complex group affects every major system of the body and plays an important role in every function and process.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) promotes how we process sugars and energy from food. It's necessary for correct functioning of the heart and nervous system. Thiamine builds blood, prevents fluid retention and maintains muscles.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) is needed for growth and reproduction, helps red blood cells form and promotes healthy skin, hair and nails.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin) is needed for the formation of hormones, aids in circulation, controls cholesterol levels and aids in the use of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) forms proteins, maintains the functions of the intestinal tract and aids in wound healing.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) is needed to produce hydrochloric acid that breaks down the digestion of foods and alleviates nausea and crucial for the production of antibodies and red blood cells.

Folic Acid helps prevent heart disease, builds red blood cells and aids in the division of cells, body growth and reproduction. It is known as a cancer fighter and anti-stress vitamin.

Vitamin B12 promotes growth, increases energy and memory.

Vitamin C accelerates healing and is necessary for bone and teeth formation, collagen production and the prevention of the common cold.

Vitamin D is needed for strong teeth and bones and skin respiration.

Vitamin E is an anticoagulant and antioxidant.

Vitamin K is necessary for normal blood clotting and is important to the liver.

Minerals:

Calcium acts with phosphorous to build and maintain bones and teeth.

Chromium is needed to move glucose through the cell walls.

Iron is essential for the formation of hemoglobin and myoglobin to transport oxygen throughout the body.

Other essential minerals include magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, and zinc.

John Tolmachoff is the chief editor of health related site such as http://www.LiquidVitaminsReviews.com and http://www.beautytipssupplies.com. These sites are packed with health tips and are offering as a gift a $49.00 free audio eBook at either of these sites.