Role of vitamins and minerals in the body

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Vitamins and minerals are essential substances of the body, participating in cell structure, energy metabolism as well as all vital activities of the body. Vitamins and minerals for adults, children or the elderly are very important.

1. What is the role of vitamins?

Vitamins are organic compounds that the body cannot synthesize on its own, most must be obtained from outside through foods used daily. Vitamins exist in the body in small amounts but play an important role in maintaining life as well as the body's vital activities.
Functions of vitamins in the body:
Is one of the essential components that make up cells, necessary for the growth and maintenance of cells. Involved in the metabolism of substances. Strengthen the body's immune system. Participating in the regulation of the heart's activity with the nervous system. Vitamins in the body act as a catalyst to help assimilate and transform food, creating energy for the body's activities. Vitamins have the ability to protect cells from the attack of infectious agents thanks to their properties against oxidation, detoxification and repair of damaged structures. Participating in supporting the treatment of diseases of the body, strengthening the body's health. Vitamins have many different types, in addition to the general functions of vitamins, each type plays a specific role for the body:
Vitamin B: stimulates eating, helps skin and hair shine, especially contributes to growth development of the nervous system.
Vitamin A: Helps brighten eyes, fight against the aging process of the body.
Vitamin C : Slows down oxidation, has many applications in dermatology, has the ability to increase the strength of vessel walls, applied in the treatment of hemorrhagic diseases.
Vitamin D : Along with calcium helps to stimulate the development of the skeletal system. Vitamin D deficiency will cause bone and joint diseases such as rickets, curved spine, delayed teething...
Vitamin E: Related to skin and blood cell diseases.
Vitamin K: Is one of the important factors involved in blood clotting. Vitamin K deficiency makes blood difficult to clot, wounds will bleed continuously.

Vitamin is an important substance for the body, but it does not mean that vitamin supplements are as much as possible. Excess or deficiency of vitamins both cause diseases of the body that affect health.
Causes of vitamin deficiency:
Inadequate food composition. Due to diseases of the digestive tract leading to reduced or no absorption of vitamins. After taking antibiotics, some intestinal bacteria are destroyed, which affects the synthesis of vitamins. Providing the right amount of vitamins does not meet the age or the body's needs. Other causes: due to genetic enzyme deficiency, internal factor deficiency, drug use,... Causes of excess vitamins in the body:
Excess vitamins are common in fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin D Water-soluble vitamins are less abundant because they are eliminated quickly and do not cause accumulation. Excess vitamins due to abuse of vitamin supplements. Eating too many foods containing vitamins in oil.

2. The role of minerals in the body

For health, minerals have the same important role as vitamins. Minerals also participate in cell structure, participate in life activities and are especially important in fluid balance, maintaining the development of teeth, bones, muscles as well as supporting the function of the nervous system. terrible. Like vitamins, minerals are substances that the body cannot produce on its own. Minerals are supplied mainly through the diet. A scientific diet full of nutrients will ensure health.
Minerals include sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium or trace minerals such as iron, selenium, manganese, fluorine, copper, iodine. Each mineral has its own functional use. The role of some important minerals in common use:
Magnesium: Necessary for the function of the digestive system, especially muscle contractions and nerve impulses. At the same time, magnesium is also involved in blood sugar control, blood pressure regulation, and bone health maintenance.
Selenium: Is a constituent of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which affects all components of the immune system, affecting the development of white blood cells. Selenium deficiency causes immunosuppression, impaired white blood cell function, and prevents metabolic disorders in the digestive system.
Iron : Necessary for the process of making blood cells. Iron deficiency will cause anemia, hair loss, headache, dizziness.
Zinc: Stimulates the activity of enzymes, supports the immune system, protects taste and smell, is involved in DNA synthesis.
Chloride: Is a special mineral in the body, is a component of gastric juice. Chloride along with sodium helps the body to balance the fluid system in the body.
Potassium: Necessary for the central nervous system, also involved in fluid balance in the body. When potassium levels are disturbed, it can cause cardiac arrhythmias.
Sodium: Combined with chloride will help balance extracellular fluid, regulate blood pressure.
Vitamins and minerals are important substances of the body, participating in all body functions. Currently, due to changes in processing methods, changes in living habits as well as ways of growing food, the amount of vitamins and minerals introduced into the body is also changed. Although it is a trace element, when the body has excess or deficiency of vitamins and minerals, it affects health. Set yourself up with a suitable diet to ensure the best health development.

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Article referenced source: National Institute of Nutrition