Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients because they are required in limited amounts by an organism. This differs from macronutrients, which are required in more abundant quantities and include some of our favorites: fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic chemical compounds that cannot be synthesized by the body in sufficient quantities, and for that reason they must come from food sources or supplementation. Vitamins are commonly referred to as essential because they are required in order for the body to function properly.
Some common vitamins include:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
- Vitamin B3 Niacin)
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
- Vitamin B12 (cobalamin or methylcobalamin)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K1
- Vitamin K2
- Folate
- Choline
If you are not getting enough of the essential vitamins in your diet, you should consider upping your nutrition game by choosing healthier foods. And if that still isn’t enough, supplementation can help get you to where you need to be. Make sure you know the recommended daily amounts for each vitamin, and that you try to hit those intake values each day.
Minerals
Minerals are inorganic compounds and are important in their role in building strong bones and teeth, managing nerve and muscular health, and keeping a regular heartbeat. Minerals also produce enzymes and hormones in the body, which help with circulation, cellular integrity, and energy levels.
There are two main types of minerals: macro and trace. As the names indicate, the body needs larger amounts of macro minerals, and less for trace minerals.
Common macro minerals include:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Phosphorus
- Chloride
- Sulfur
Common trace minerals include:
- Iron
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Copper
- Manganese
- Iodine
- Chromium
- Cobalt
- Fluoride