In 1906, English biochemist Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins discovered that certain food factors are important to health. The term vitamin originated from "vitamine" - the word invented in 1911 by the Polish scientist Cashmir Funk to determine a group of substances defer to be vital for life. Nowadays scientists have also proved vitamin and mineral requirement of a human organism is essential for normal health and growth. Vitamins and minerals are substances that are usually used by our organism and should be included into a complete diet. Vitamins are separated into water-soluble (such as B vitamins and vitamin C), and fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E, K).
There are 13 essential vitamins are divided into two groups - Fat-soluble and Water-soluble vitamins. Vitamin A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble and can be accommodated in the body. The B vitamins and Vitamin C are water-soluble; except for Vitamin B 12, they cannot be accommodated in the body.
Most people get enough vitamins and minerals by keeping a varied diet and do not need to take a vitamin supplement. But sometimes for a variety of reasons it becomes deficient in some vitamins and minerals. It is a common problem for aged people and little kids.
So most of us have heard about vitamins, but what about minerals? Does our body really need any mineral carriers? We'll take this as read, human needs vitamins and minerals both. Mineral supplements are nonexpendable in our metabolic processes. They are central in helping the body grow and produce energy. The reproduction and health of our cells also do not go without them. A stringency of even one mineral may cause serious health problems because they often work synergistically with other minerals and also vitamins. For example, zinc is essential for the body to convert vitamin A into its active form. Antioxidant minerals such as selenium have the power to neutralize free radicals, so they are coming under review as potent antioxidant free radical scavengers which give rise to early aging and diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.
As usually minerals can be found in a well-balanced multivitamin but you may buy them separately depending on your need.
Mineral importance:
Chromium helps to lower blood sugar levels, important for people with diabetes and to prevent it, normalizes heart function;
Selenium is of paramount importance in cancer prevention;
Zinc strengthens your immune system and supports reproduction;
Magnesium maintains your bones and helps your muscles relax;
Iron is important for the production of hemoglobin;
Copper maintains hair color, and is used to make hormones;
Calcium is famous as a bone protector, but also important for nerve cells communication. Normalizes your blood pressure and helps to prevent colon cancer and premenstrual syndrome.