Health Benefits Of Vitamins And Minerals
Vitamins are essential micronutrients required by our body in small quantities to function properly. Vitamins are essential to help maintain our overall health and well-being. Vitamins are organic compounds that cannot be made by our body and must be obtained either via food and drinks consumption or supplements or both.
Vitamin A is important for maintaining healthy vision, skin and also supporting our immune system. It plays a crucial role in vision by maintaining a clear cornea, which is the outside covering of your eye. In developing countries, deficiency in this Vitamin is rare. This deficiency can lead to Xerophthalmia which is a progressive disease that starts with night blindness.
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Minerals are inorganic compounds that are essential for the proper functioning of our body. Minerals are found in various foods, water and soil. There are two types of minerals, macro minerals and trace minerals. Macro minerals such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus are those that our body needs in larger amounts. Trace minerals such as iron, zinc, copper, selenium and iodine are those that our body needs in smaller amounts.
For example, Iron is required for the production of red blood cells. Those who are deficient in iron will find themselves anaemic and lacking in energy, despite getting sufficient sleep and rest. Calcium is required for strong teeth and bones. Magnesium is required for healthy muscle and nerve function.
Watch and learn from our short video on the Health Benefits Of Vitamins and Minerals.
We must remember that our bodies require sufficient levels of all vitamins and minerals daily. It is therefore not possible to store these for several days, weeks or months. Consuming meals that are rich in a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains will provide us with most of the vitamins and minerals that we require. However due to various factors such as soil depletion, we now need to take supplements to supplement our meal intake.
You need to be aware that not all supplements are created equal or of top quality which is why you need to connect with a clinic such as ours, as we have done and continue to test the quality of various supplements and only recommend the best as we only have one body and must give it the best. You must not waste money on nutritional supplements that are not highly bioavailable or contact nutrients in inappropriate amounts or ratios for your needs. When it comes to supplements and food intake, quality makes all the difference and we must never eat only because it is convenient or tastes good.
Some of the other key vitamins and nutrients that help maintain healthy organs and in particular eye health are as follows:
Vitamin B1 or Thiamine plays a role in proper cell function and converting foods into energy. It also helps reduce the risk of developing cataracts.
Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin is an antioxidant that has the potential to reduce oxidative stress in your body, including the eyes.
Vitamin B3 or Niacin helps your body convert food into energy. It also acts as an antioxidant and plays a role in prevention of glaucoma, which is a condition in which the optic nerve of your eye becomes damaged.
Vitamins B6, B9 and B12 for part of the B Complex Vitamins which can lower the levels of homocysteine, a protein in your body that is associated with inflammation and increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can protect your eyes against damaging free radicals. It is required to make collagen, a protein that provides structure to your eye, particular in the cornea and sclera, which is the whites of the eyes.
Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that helps protect your cells from oxidative stress. Studies have shown that age-related cataracts can be prevented by adequate intake of Vitamin E.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin are part of the carotenoid family, which is a group of beneficial compounds synthesized by plants. These carotenoids are found in the macula and retina of your eyes and these help filter potentially harmful blue light.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat. It helps form the cells of your eye and has anti-inflammatory properties which play a role in the prevention of diabetic retinopathy.
One of the trusted supplements suppliers we personally use and recommend is called Usana Health Sciences as they have been supplied top rated supplements and skincare for over 30 years. You may get access to their products via this link. Usana’s supplements have been independently rate by The Comparative Guide To Nutritional Supplements as the top Platinum Plus 5 star rating. It is the only supplier we know who creates supplements based on what our bodies require vs pricing based on what the majority are willing to pay and then choosing inferior quality ingredients accordingly.
To learn more about Why Should We Take Supplements, check out our other related blogs:
Which Vitamins Are Good For Eyesight?
Why Should We Take Supplements
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