View source for Vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients

Vitamins, [[minerals]], and other nutrients are essential components of a healthy diet. They are necessary for the proper functioning of the body and play important roles in a variety of bodily functions. In this article, we will explore the importance of vitamins, [[minerals]], and other nutrients, their health benefits, and the best dietary sources of each.
==Other nutrients==
* In addition to vitamins and minerals, there are other important nutrients that are essential for optimal health. These include:
* [[Protein]]: protein is essential for building and repairing tissues in the body and is found in foods such as lean meats, [[fish]], and [[beans]].
* [[Carbohydrates]]: carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for the body and are found in foods such as fruits, [[vegetables]], and [[whole grains]].
* Healthy fats: healthy fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, are important for heart health and are found in foods such as nuts, [[seeds]], and [[fatty fish]].
* [[Water]]: water is essential for maintaining proper hydration and is important for many bodily functions.
* Vitamins are organic compounds that are essential for the proper functioning of the human body. They are required in small amounts, but they play a critical role in several physiological processes, including metabolism, [[immune function]], and growth and development. In this article, we will explore the different types of vitamins, their functions in the body, and their food sources.
==Types of vitamins==
* There are 13 different types of vitamins that are essential for human health, which are classified into two categories:
* [[Fat-soluble vitamins]]: fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body's fatty tissue and are absorbed through the intestinal tract with the help of fat. The four fat-soluble vitamins are:
* Vitamin a
* Vitamin d
* Vitamin e
* Vitamin k
* [[Water-soluble vitamins]]: water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body and are excreted in urine. The nine water-soluble vitamins are:
* Vitamin c
* Thiamin (b1)
* Riboflavin (b2)
* Niacin (b3)
* Pantothenic acid (b5)
* Pyridoxine (b6)
* Biotin (b7)
* Folic acid (b9)
* Cyanocobalamin (b12)
==Functions of vitamins==
* Vitamins have a variety of functions in the body, including:
* [[Energy production]]: several vitamins are involved in energy production, including thiamin, [[riboflavin]], [[niacin]], and [[pantothenic acid]].
* [[Immune function]]: vitamins a, [[c]], [[d]], and e are important for immune function and can help to reduce the risk of infections and chronic diseases.
* [[Bone health]]: vitamins d and k are important for bone health and can help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
* [[Vision]]: vitamin a is important for vision and can help to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
* Red blood cell formation: vitamins b6, [[b9]], and b12 are important for red blood cell formation and can help to reduce the risk of anemia.
==Food sources of vitamins==
* Different types of vitamins can be found in a variety of foods. Some common food sources of vitamins include:
* [[Vitamin a]]: liver, [[carrots]], [[sweet potatoes]], [[spinach]], and broccoli
* [[Vitamin d]]: fatty fish, [[egg yolks]], and fortified dairy products
* [[Vitamin e]]: vegetable oils, [[nuts]], and seeds
* [[Vitamin k]]: leafy green vegetables, [[broccoli]], and green beans
* [[Vitamin c]]: citrus fruits, [[strawberries]], [[kiwi]], and bell peppers
* [[B vitamins]]: whole grains, [[meat]], [[poultry]], [[fish]], and dairy products
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