What are Vitamins  Vitamins are substances that are naturally found in plants and animals.  The body requires thirteen vitamins to promote growth and development and to support many functions.  Vitamins play key roles in the body and are essential for our bodies to metabolize and use the energy from fat, carbohydrates and protein.

Vitamins  Vitamins are essential in maintaining a healthy body, the body cannot produce vitamins on its own, therefore we get a majority of our vitamins from the food that we eat.  There are two types of vitamins:  Fat-soluble vitamins  Water-soluble vitamins

Fat-Soluble Vitamins  Vitamins such as A,D,E and K are fat-soluble vitamins.  These vitamins require some fat and bile acids to be absorbed by the body and are stored in the body fat until needed.

Water-soluble vitamins  Vitamin C and B vitamins such as Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 and Folate are all water-soluble vitamins.  These vitamins are easily absorbed and are not stored in your body in large amounts

Water-soluble Vitamins  Water-soluble vitamins simply go through your bloodstream and are filtered by your kidneys into urine.  Since water-soluble vitamins are not stored, they need to be replaced by eating a variety of foods everyday.

Minerals  Whereas 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.  Your body needs larger amounts of some minerals, such as calcium, to grow and stay healthy.

Minerals . Other minerals like chromium, copper, iodine, iron, selenium, and zinc are called trace minerals because you only need very small amounts of them each day

Minerals  Minerals are found in nearly all the foods listed on MyPyramid.  They do not supply energy as carbohydrates, fats and proteins do, but they are essential because they regulate the body chemistry and body functions.  Minerals cannot be produced by our bodies. They must be ingested (eaten in our food).

Minerals  Minerals are sometimes chemical constituents of vitamins.  Minerals are also found in enzymes, hormones, bones and muscles. Minerals can become part of the body’s structure.  There are about sixty different minerals that make up about four percent of the body. Science is still learning about many of the functions of minerals.

Minerals  Minerals are also divided into two groups. Macrominerals are found in relatively large amounts and Trace minerals are found in very small amounts in the body.

Minerals MacromineralsTrace Minerals CalciumIron PhosphorusZinc SodiumFluorine PotassiumCopper Iodine

What do Vitamins and Minerals do?  Vitamins and minerals:  boost the immune system,  support normal growth and development,  and help cells and organs do their jobs.  For example, carrots are good for your eyes. It's true! Carrots are full of substances called carotenoids that your body converts into vitamin A, which helps prevent eye problems.

What do Vitamins and Minerals do?  Another vitamin, vitamin K, helps blood to clot (so cuts and scrapes stop bleeding quickly).  Vitamin K can be found in green leafy vegetables, broccoli, and soybeans.  To have strong bones, you need to eat foods such as milk, yogurt, and green leafy vegetables, which are rich in the mineral calcium.

Vitamins and Minerals are Good for Growth and Development  People, especially adolescents experience a lot of physical changes, eating right during this time is important because the body needs a variety of vitamins and mineral s to grow, develop and stay healthy.

Good for Growth  Individuals get all the vitamins and mineral as well as the right amount of carbs, proteins, fats and calories their body needs by eating a variety of foods.  Whole or unprocessed foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish and poultry are the best choices for providing your body with nutrients.