by Rachael Quinata

Created on: January 04, 2011

The human body absorbs more vitamins and minerals naturally from food than vitamin supplements do any day. However, it is much simpler to think of vitamins and minerals as back up for your body's lacking in other nutrients, such as Vitamin D which is naturally absorbed through the skin when exposed to sunlight. Each vitamin and mineral has a role to play in your body. Being well informed about what you put into your body can and will make a significant difference in your general well-being. 

In the ridiculously long list of the Vitamin alphabet, the crucial vitamins to concentrate on are as follows: A, B1-B3, B5, B6, B12, C, D, and E. The list of minerals is long, but the following are just the fundamental for aiding cellular health: calcium, magnesium, selenium, zinc, chromium, and iron. These are only the generally well-known vitamins and minerals, anymore would only cause confusion.

The main functions of Vitamin A  (retinol) are supporting vision, skin, bone growth, immunity and reproduction.

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) supports energy metabolism, and nerve function.Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) supports normal vision and skin health. Vitamin B3 (niacin) supports all the latter of its brother including the digestive system. Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) supports energy metabolism. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supports amino and fatty acid metabolism and  red blood cell production. Vitamin B12 helps make new cells, breaks down amino and fatty acids, and supports nerve cell maintenance. 

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) helps with collagen production, amino acid metabolism, iron absorption, immunity, and antioxidant.

Vitamin D helps bone mineralization; calcium absorption.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, regulation of oxidation process, and helps cell membrane stabilization.

Calcium helps bone growth and maintenance, and blood clotting.

Chromium is associated with insulin and aiding in releasing energy from glucose.

Iron helps carry oxygen through the blood.

Magnesium helps with cell processes.

Selenium is an antioxidant that helps with Vitamin E by protecting the body from oxidation.

And Zinc, which helps with the production of genetic material and proteins, transports Vitamin A, taste perception, helps with wound healing, sperm production, and development of the fetus.

The best kind of supplement should not have any flavor, synthetic sweeteners, yeast, or gluten. Research the most natural type of dietary supplement other than food. The vitamins and minerals that are needed for the human body go genetically deep and help with cell function which is the most important part of the body. Along with the chemical processes, using nutritional supplements, any person will notice a significant difference in their well-being.

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