Minerals and Vitamins are also known as micronutrients because they are responsible for many of our body processes even though they are required by the body in relatively small amounts.
Vitamins are organic substances (In chemistry, an organic compound is generally any chemical compound that contains carbon). Vitamins are made by plants and animals. They are a total of 13 vitamins available in plants and animals (vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and the B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folate). Our body only makes vitamin K and D.
Minerals are inorganic substances not made by living things. They are found in soil and water, absorbed by plants and eaten by humans and animals. Some examples of minerals are iron, calcium, and potassium.
The human body needs micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and macronutrients (carbohydrate, protein, and fat). Micronutrients help your body use macronutrients and support many body processes including: blood pressure regulation, blood sugar regulation, brain function, digestion, growth and development, heart function, hormone production, muscle contraction, nervous system function, red blood cell formation, reproduction, taste and smell, vision and wound healing.
Unfortunately, many people are not getting the recommended levels of Calcium, Iron (of concern for young children, pregnant women, and women capable of becoming pregnant), Potassium and Vitamin D. The lack of these nutrients are associated with potential health risks. The best source of these nutrients are nutrient-dense foods.
Nutrient-dense foods and beverages contain vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and other beneficial substances that may have positive health effects. They are also naturally lean or low in saturated fat and have little or no added saturated fat, sugars, refined starches, and sodium. Examples of nutrient dense foods are: beans and peas, eggs, fat-free (skim) and low-fat (1%) dairy products, fruits, seafood, lean meats and poultry, unsalted nuts and seeds, vegetables, and whole grains.
Eat a variety of nutrient dense foods more often to obtain the micronutrients and the macronutrients your body needs for a good health.