Vitamins
There are 13 Vitamins that the human body needs to survive. Vitamins are organic nutrients that we need. They come as two types and that's either water or fat soluble. Vitamin A, D, E and K are the fat soluble's. Unlike water-soluble vitamins that need regular replacement in the body, fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and fatty tissues, and are eliminated much more slowly than water soluble vitamins. We only need small amounts of these, and need to eat fats to utilise them fully. Too much of these can be toxic. Eating a normal, well-balanced diet will not lead to toxicity in otherwise healthy individuals, so you often don't need to supplement these.
The rest are water soluble vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water and are not stored by the body. Since they are eliminated in urine, we require a continuous daily supply in our diet. Water-soluble vitamins are easily destroyed or washed out during food storage or preparation. Proper storage and preparation of food can minimise vitamin loss. To reduce vitamin loss, always refrigerate fresh produce, keep milk and grains away from strong light, and use cooking water from vegetables to prepare soups. Deficiencies are rare...with exceptions for alcoholics, those on a low calorie diet, and the elderly.
The rest are water soluble vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water and are not stored by the body. Since they are eliminated in urine, we require a continuous daily supply in our diet. Water-soluble vitamins are easily destroyed or washed out during food storage or preparation. Proper storage and preparation of food can minimise vitamin loss. To reduce vitamin loss, always refrigerate fresh produce, keep milk and grains away from strong light, and use cooking water from vegetables to prepare soups. Deficiencies are rare...with exceptions for alcoholics, those on a low calorie diet, and the elderly.
Minerals
Minerals are non-organic elements and found in the earth, which are required for us humans to develop and function in a healthy fashion. The human body can't manufacture minerals (unlike vitamins) and we must get them from eating animals and plants that contain them. We can, however store them. And rather efficiently slowly release them as and when needed.
There are two types of minerals - 7 types of Macrominerals and 12 types of Trace Minerals. The first we need in abundance, the latter we need very small amounts of. It means that our stores of these deplete quicker as we store small amounts of them.
I have always thought a mineral supplement is far more important that vitamins more so in athletes.
There are two types of minerals - 7 types of Macrominerals and 12 types of Trace Minerals. The first we need in abundance, the latter we need very small amounts of. It means that our stores of these deplete quicker as we store small amounts of them.
I have always thought a mineral supplement is far more important that vitamins more so in athletes.