Our First guest writer …
October 4th, 2009This time round we are lucky to be able to have Mary Ward, a freelance writer to contribute this splendid piece on the 9 essential Vitamins & Minerals for the Body. I am certain that you would find it as interesting and informative as i have… enjoy !!!
9 Vitamins and Minerals You Should Have Every Day
Staying healthy is at the forefront of most of our minds these days. And, we all know that we need our share of vitamins to do so. Eating for vitamin consumption can be really difficult, so it’s usually wise to take vitamin supplements on a daily basis to ensure you’re really getting what you need. So, when you’re looking for vitamin supplements, which are the most important? Well, here are seven that we all need – every day. These vitamins are the most important because they are essential for basic bodily functions, such as growth, development, immune functioning and converting food to energy.
1. Vitamin C – Vitamin C is required for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body. It is necessary to form collagen, an important protein used to make skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Vitamin C is essential for the healing of wounds, and for the repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth. In addition, Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant, so it can block damage caused by free radicals. Fruit, citrus fruit in particular, is a great source of Vitamin C
2. Vitamin A – Vitamin A helps form and maintain healthy teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucous membranes, and skin. It is also known as retinol because it produces the pigments in the retina of the eye. Vitamin A helps with vision and is needed for reproduction and breastfeeding, too.
3. Vitamin D – Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body absorb calcium. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body’s fatty tissue. It also regulates the calcium and phosphorous in the blood. Your body requires sufficient Vitamin D in order to absorb the calcium in your foods. That’s why milk (a great source of calcium) is fortified with Vitamin D. The body produces Vitamin D after exposure to the sun, though for many people, the amount produced by the body is not enough to meet the body’s needs.
4. Vitamin K – Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for the functioning of several proteins involved in blood clotting. Dark green vegetables like spinach are good sources of Vitamin K.
In addition to these vitamins, the following minerals are also extremely important:
5. Copper – this mineral helps transport oxygen through your body, maintain hair color, and is used to make hormones. Copper is necessary for the growth, development, and maintenance of bone, connective tissue, brain, heart, and many other body organs. It is involved in the formation of red blood cells and the absorption and utilization of iron.
6. Zinc – This trace mineral is second only to iron in its concentration in the body. It is needed in order for the immune system to work properly. It also helps with cell division and growth, as well as helping wounds heal.
7. Iron – This mineral is found in every cell in the body and is essential because it is needed to make part of blood cells.
8. Calcium – Calcium is the most plentiful mineral found in the human body. It is one of the most important minerals for the growth, maintenance, and reproduction of the human body. Calcium helps form and maintain healthy teeth and bones, and helps with blood clotting, nerve signaling and a normal heartbeat.
9. Magnesium – Magnesium is an essential mineral because it helps produce protein and helps produce and transport energy as well as ensuring the proper function of certain enzymes in the body.
A proper multi-vitamin should contain 100% of what you need in all these vitamins and minerals with the exception of calcium and magnesium. By adding a calcium/magnesium supplement to the mix, you should be taking the right steps to ensure you’re getting the proper vitamins and minerals each and every day.
Mary Ward is a freelance writer and likes writing about healthcare career topics such as how to obtain an online x-ray tech degree.
http://becomeanxraytechnician.com/
Thanks Mary !!!
1. Vitamin C – Vitamin C is required for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body. It is necessary to form collagen, an important protein used to make skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Vitamin C is essential for the healing of wounds, and for the repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth. In addition, Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant, so it can block damage caused by free radicals. Fruit, citrus fruit in particular, is a great source of Vitamin C
2. Vitamin A – Vitamin A helps form and maintain healthy teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucous membranes, and skin. It is also known as retinol because it produces the pigments in the retina of the eye. Vitamin A helps with vision and is needed for reproduction and breastfeeding, too.
3. Vitamin D – Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body absorb calcium. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body’s fatty tissue. It also regulates the calcium and phosphorous in the blood. Your body requires sufficient Vitamin D in order to absorb the calcium in your foods. That’s why milk (a great source of calcium) is fortified with Vitamin D. The body produces Vitamin D after exposure to the sun, though for many people, the amount produced by the body is not enough to meet the body’s needs.
4. Vitamin K – Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for the functioning of several proteins involved in blood clotting. Dark green vegetables like spinach are good sources of Vitamin K.
5. Copper – this mineral helps transport oxygen through your body, maintain hair color, and is used to make hormones. Copper is necessary for the growth, development, and maintenance of bone, connective tissue, brain, heart, and many other body organs. It is involved in the formation of red blood cells and the absorption and utilization of iron.
6. Zinc – This trace mineral is second only to iron in its concentration in the body. It is needed in order for the immune system to work properly. It also helps with cell division and growth, as well as helping wounds heal.
7. Iron – This mineral is found in every cell in the body and is essential because it is needed to make part of blood cells.
8. Calcium – Calcium is the most plentiful mineral found in the human body. It is one of the most important minerals for the growth, maintenance, and reproduction of the human body. Calcium helps form and maintain healthy teeth and bones, and helps with blood clotting, nerve signaling and a normal heartbeat.
9. Magnesium – Magnesium is an essential mineral because it helps produce protein and helps produce and transport energy as well as ensuring the proper function of certain enzymes in the body.
