| Most people may realize that vitamins and minerals | | | | a few small meals throughout the day than eat one or |
| are two different things, but they probably do not | | | | two giant meals. |
| know what vitamins and minerals their body needs | | | | Water soluble vitamins are not stored in the body, and |
| and what they are good for. Vitamins, for example, | | | | therefore they are quickly depleted. Unlike animals, we |
| are essential to life; regulate metabolism and assist the | | | | cannot produce any Vitamin C in our bodies, therefore |
| processes that release energy from digested food. | | | | it is essential that you pay attention to how much |
| They also work with enzymes as co-enzymes, | | | | vitamin C you are consuming, that is the only way your |
| enabling the body to perform its activities, or build and | | | | body will get enough to be healthy. |
| feed cells. Vitamins are also either water soluble or fat | | | | Well enough about vitamins, lets talk about minerals. |
| soluble. | | | | Minerals are needed for the proper composition of |
| This is important because vitamins must have an | | | | body fluids. They are also needed for the building and |
| effective way of being broken down within the body, | | | | formation of blood and bones as well as building and |
| otherwise they are not used and passed through the | | | | feeding cells. |
| body. This is actually best evident in most vitamin pills | | | | The minerals you need are: Calcium, sodium, |
| or supplements you can buy in stores or on-line. | | | | magnesium, boron, copper, cobalt, chromium, Iodine, |
| Most of these company's vitamins are not water or | | | | sulpher, manganese, selenium, iron, vanadium, zinc, |
| fat soluble enough for the body to ever break them | | | | potassium, silicon, and phosphorus. |
| down. I often refer to them as vitamin bricks. While | | | | Minerals are needed in varying amounts and, like |
| you think you are getting all of that vitamin C you are | | | | vitamins, are crucial to the body's health. Minerals also |
| buying, it is probably passing right through you. This has | | | | give you sustained energy. |
| often been referred to as "expensive pee." | | | | The best way to get your proper amount of vitamins |
| Just be careful and do your research. Like I said a | | | | and minerals is through your diet (vitamins and minerals |
| reputable company will be able to provide you with | | | | are easily broken down within food). However, many |
| information that proves that its vitamins are of the | | | | of us do not have the time or money necessary to |
| highest potency and purity and are very soluble. | | | | create a perfect diet for ourselves that contains just |
| So what are the fat soluble vitamins? They are: | | | | the right amount of vitamins and minerals. |
| vitamin A, D, E, and K. Beta-carotene is also a fat | | | | That is why many people rely on supplements as well |
| soluble vitamin. | | | | as their diet to give them the vitamins and minerals |
| Fat soluble vitamins are stored in body tissues and | | | | they need. But if you are going to buy any vitamin or |
| require the presence of fatty acids in order to be | | | | mineral supplements you need to do your research |
| transported and absorbed. Fat-free diets, for example | | | | and make sure they are of the highest quality, and |
| interfere with the absorption of these vitamins and can | | | | most importantly that they are going to be broken |
| create possible deficiencies. | | | | down within your body and not just pass through you. |
| What about water soluble vitamins? They are: | | | | A good company will give you access to this |
| B-complex, which consists of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, | | | | information before you buy. You can make sure that |
| B6, and B12. Biotin, vitamin C, and Folic Acid are also | | | | the vitamin and mineral supplements you are buying |
| water soluble vitamins. | | | | are of highest quality by making sure that the |
| Water soluble vitamins must be regularly consumed, | | | | company you buy from has a proven track record of |
| and replenished within the body. Water soluble vitamins | | | | success, plenty of testimonials, and a money back |
| should be consumed or taken at divided times | | | | guarantee. If their products work they will guarantee |
| throughout the day. That is one reason it is best to eat | | | | them, otherwise they have something to hide. |