9781422280522

Vitamins and Minerals

vitamins, your body can store these vitamins in fatty tissues and the liver. You don’t have to eat them every day, since your body can tap into these stores when it needs them. Fatty foods such as vegetable oils, eggs, fish, and animal products are the best sources of fat- soluble vitamins. Each category of vitamins has specific functions. Water-soluble vitamins work with enzymes , proteins that start or speed up processes within the body, to get energy from food, produce DNA and new cells, and synthesize proteins. They also help make

Educational Video

How Do Vitamins Work?

Scan this code for a video with more information about vitamins in the body.

collagen , a fibrous protein found throughout the body, especially connective tissues like ligaments and tendons. Fat-soluble vitamins keep skin healthy and vision sharp, as well as build strong bones and teeth. Vitamin K is especially important because it helps blood clot, which helps ensure that you don’t lose too much blood if you happen to get cut. M ajor and T race M inerals Like vitamins, minerals are divided into two classes: macrominerals (sometimes called “major” minerals) and trace minerals. Both are important for your health, but your body stores macrominerals in larger amounts. They include calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, chloride, sulfur, and sodium. Trace minerals are found in smaller amounts; in fact, it would only take a thimble to contain all the trace minerals in your body. They include iron, copper, zinc, manganese, and several others.

14