Knowing About Vitamins And Minerals
By Sam Cyrus

Both of vitamins and minerals are vitally needed by your body. Vitamins are organic substances (made by plants or animals), minerals are inorganic elements that come from the soil and water and are absorbed by plants or eaten by animals.

Vitamins fall into two categories: fat soluble and water soluble. The fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D, E, and K) dissolve in fat and can be stored in your body. The water-soluble vitamins (vitamin C and B complex vitamins, such as vitamins B6, B12, niacin, riboflavin, and folate) need to dissolve in water before your body can absorb them. Any vitamin C or B that your body doesn't use as it passes through your system is lost (mostly when you pee). You need a fresh supply of these vitamins every day because your body can not store it.

As the inorganic substance that occurs naturally in rocks and in the ground, minerals has its own characteristic appearance and chemical composition. The three main functions of minerals are as constituents of the skeleton, as solube salts which help control the composition of the body fluids, and as essential adjuncts to the action of many enzymes and other proteins.

Your body needs some minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, selenium, zinc, and chromium picolinate, to grow and stay healthy. Calcium is a major mineral essential for healthy and strong bones and teeth. Magnesium is an important mineral that helps the body to maintain muscles, nerves, and bones. Potassium is important in controlling the activity of the heart, muscles, nervous system and just about every cell in the body. Selenium is an essential mineral that functions largely in the form of proteins, called seleno-proteins, which act as enzymes and help prevent damage to cells in the body. Zinc is a constituent of insulin and is concerned with the sense of smell. Chromium picolinate is an essential mineral which plays a vital role in processing carbohydrates and fats.