Vitamins Minerals Supplements

Nutrition physicians are constantly reminding their patients that they do not require vitamin supplements if they eat the proper food. Having said that, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established regulations requiring the addition of folic acid to enriched breads, flours, cereals, corn meals, pastas, rice, and other grain products. The cause for this being that babies were being born with a condition called spina bifida as their mothers were not receiving enough folic acid. This has saved thousand of pregnant mothers from heart-ache of losing their babies.

Vitamins are essential for good health. Various types of Vitamins help develop and maintain body tissues, help vision, functioning of the nervous system, reproduction, growth, increases metabolism, building red blood cells, form tissues, cells, bones and teeth; heals wounds; and improves the performance of the immune system, assist the immune system in fighting diseases and clotting of blood in wounded areas are some of the functions of vitamins.

Minerals also have many functions as many as 20 different minerals play significant roles in the body. The body needs the following minerals in light traces to fight illness. These minerals include copper, iodine, chromium, iron, fluorine, tin, zinc, nickel, vanadium, manganese, silicon, molybdenum, and selenium. While the following minerals, are needed in large amounts, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chlorine, phosphorus, calcium, and sulfur.

Some of the main functions of these mineral supplements are as follows,

Zinc is an essential mineral that is naturally present in food and acts as a dietary supplement. Zinc can also be found in lozenges and over-the-counter drugs. Zinc is found in Oysters, red meat and beans, nuts, crabs, lobster, whole grains and poultry. Zinc supplements are required in the following situations, people with gastric problems, vegetarians, pregnant mothers and alcoholics.

Calcium - builds bones, teeth, nervous system and muscle action. Calcium can be found in milk, yogurt, and cheese. Two main forms of calcium in supplements are carbonate and citrate. Other calcium forms in supplements or fortified foods include gluconate, lactate and phosphate. Individuals who take calcium supplements have the following symptoms, gas, bloating, constipation, or a combination of these symptoms. Calcium is required in the following situations, postmenopausal women, Individuals with lactose intolerance and vegetarians.

Chromium - increases and enhances the effectiveness of insulin. Chromium supplements are available as chromium chloride, chromium nicotinate, chromium picolinate, high-chromium yeast, and chromium citrate.

Copper - formation of blood cells, works with Vit. C in healing process.

Iodine - helps regulate metabolism.

Iron - used in the production of blood, works in the immune system. Supplements are important if an individual is experiencing clinical symptoms of iron deficiency anemia

Magnesium- helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function and keeps heart rhythm steady while supporting a healthy immune system

Manganese - for skeletal development

Molybdenum - helps iron transport from liver, promotes normal cell function.

Potassium - necessary for heart muscle function.

Selenium - helps prevent cellular damage and helps maintain tissue and artery elasticity.

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