Vitamins are organic compounds that are essential for maintaining health and bodily function. There are 13 essential vitamins, each with a different role in the body. Here are some examples of what vitamins do:
- Vitamin C: Helps the body absorb iron and maintain healthy tissue.
- Vitamin D: Helps the body absorb calcium and maintain healthy bones.
- Vitamin E: Acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage.
- Vitamin K: Helps blood clot properly.
- B vitamins: Play important roles in metabolism, red blood cell formation, and maintaining brain function.
Most vitamins need to come from food because the body either does not produce them or produces very little. However, some people may need supplements to boost their supply, depending on their lifestyle and overall health. Each organism has different vitamin requirements, and humans, for example, need to get vitamin C from their diets.
In addition to vitamins, minerals are also essential nutrients that the body needs to function properly. Minerals are elements that our bodies need to function and can be found in soil and water. Some minerals, like calcium, are needed in larger amounts, while others, such as chromium and zinc, are called trace minerals because you need only very small amounts of them. Like vitamins, minerals also help the body function, and they perform hundreds of roles in the body.
