Vitamins and minerals serve a variety of functions throughout the body and are found in different foods. Vitamins and minerals are chemical compounds needed for proper functioning of the human body.
Red blood cells contain iron, which attaches to oxygen. Minerals are inorganic substances that are found in soil and rocks. They are essential nutrients that the body needs to survive and carry out daily functions and processes. You receive minerals by eating plants that absorb them from the earth and by eating meat from animals, which graze on plants. Minerals keep you healthy and have key roles in several body function Vitamin A. Food sources include: Cod-liver oil, sweet potatoes, carrots, leafy vegetables, and fortified foods such as breakfast cereals. What it does: Promotes good eyesight and normal functioning of the immune system. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine). Food sources include: Enriched, fortified, or whole-grain products such as bread, pasta, and cereals. What it does: Helps the body process carbohydrates and some protein. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin). Food sources include: Milk, breads, fortified cereals, almonds, asparagus, dark meat chicken, and cooked beef. What it does: Supports many body processes, such as turning food into energy. It also helps your body make red blood cells. Vitamin B3 (Niacin). Food sources include: Poultry, fish, meat, whole grains, and fortified cereals. What it does: Helps with digestion and changing food into energy; helps make cholesterol. Calcium Calcium is a mineral important for the development of strong teeth and bones and for healthy muscle and nerve function. Food sources include milk, cheese, yogurt, goat’s milk, fortified soya milk, mineral water, ice cream, tinned fish, calcium-fortified tofu, calcium-fortified juices and cereals; and broccoli. Vitamin E is also important in maintaining the structure of lipids (fats) in your body and any structures such as membranes surrounding cells that are rich in lipids. Dietary sources of vitamin E include vegetable oils, vegetables, cereals, wheat germ, whole-grain products, avocados and nuts. NATURAL SOURCES: Liver, beef, pork, eggs, dairy products, shellfish. FOLIC ACID: Essential for function of Vitamins A, D, E, and K, forms red blood cells and nucleic acid; improves circulation; aids digestion of proteins. May help prevent neuro tube defects (pina bifida), and some cancers. Reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.  Vitamins and minerals serve a variety of functions throughout the body and are found in different foods. Vitamins and minerals are chemical compounds needed for proper functioning of the human body. There are two types of vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins -- A, D, E and K -- dissolve in fat and can be stored in the body. Water-soluble vitamins -- B-complex and C -- dissolve in water. Minerals are inorganic elements. Vitamins and minerals have specific functions and are derived from a variety of food sources. Some people may need extra vitamins to help them meet their special needs. There are two types of vitamins: water soluble and fat soluble. Water soluble vitamins include vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, vitamin C, biotin and folate. They are not stored in large amounts in the body, and any extra is lost through your urine.  The body needs many minerals; these are called essential minerals. Essential minerals are sometimes divided up into major minerals (macrominerals) and trace minerals (microminerals). These two groups of minerals are equally important, but trace minerals are needed in smaller amounts than major minerals. The amounts needed in the body are not an indication of their importance. Part of a molecule (hemoglobin) found in red blood cells that carries oxygen in the body; needed for energy metabolism. Organ meats; red meats; fish; poultry; shellfish (especially clams); egg yolks; legumes; dried fruits; dark, leafy greens; iron-enriched breads and cereals; and fortified cereals. Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients your body needs in small amounts to work properly. Most people should get all the nutrients they need by eating a varied and balanced diet. The pages in this section contain advice and information on vitamins, minerals and trace elements essential for health, including: Water-soluble vitamins are found in a wide range of foods, including fruit, vegetables, potatoes, grains, milk and dairy foods. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, they can be destroyed by heat or being exposed to the air. They can also be lost in water used for cooking. Sources. Iron. Part of a molecule (hemoglobin) found in red blood cells that carries oxygen in the body; needed for energy metabolism. Organ meats; red meats; fish; poultry; shellfish (especially clams); egg yolks; legumes; dried fruits; dark, leafy greens; iron-enriched breads and cereals; and fortified cereals. Zinc
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/main-functions-minerals-body-4171.html http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/vitamin-mineral-sources http://www.irishhealth.com/clin/ffl/vitamin.html http://www.pharmicsvitamins.com/functions-of-vitamins-and-minerals/ http://www.livestrong.com/article/362880-functions-and-sources-of-vitamins-and-minerals/ http://www.dietitians.ca/Your-Health/Nutrition-A-Z/Vitamins/Functions-and-Food-Sources-of-Common-Vitamins.aspx http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/tc/minerals-their-functions-and-sources-topic-overview http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vitamins-minerals/Pages/Vitamins-minerals.aspx http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/tc/minerals-their-functions-and-sources-topic-overview
function of vitamins and minerals