Karen’s Korner
According to the National Institute on Aging, “Vitamins and minerals are two of the main types of nutrients that your body needs to survive and stay healthy.”
The article goes on to say that “Vitamins help your body grow and work the way it should. There are 13 essential vitamins — vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, B6, B12, and folate).
Vitamins have different jobs to help keep the body working properly. Some vitamins help you resist infections and keep your nerves healthy, while others may help your body get energy from food or help your blood clot properly.
Like vitamins, minerals also help your body function. Minerals are elements that our bodies need to function that can be found on the earth and in foods. Some minerals, like iodine and fluoride, are only needed in very small quantities. Others, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, are needed in larger amounts. As with vitamins, if you eat a varied diet, you will probably get enough of most minerals.”
You should choose carefully, so that you can get the right vitamins and minerals you need without the extra ingredients and side effects that can be detrimental to you. Ask your medical professional to suggest what vitamin supplements you actually need. Too much of a particular vitamin or mineral can interfere with your regular medications or give side effects. For example, we all need some sodium, but too much over time can lead to high blood pressure, which can raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
We need to just be aware of the most important vitamins and minerals we need as we age. Again, your medical professional can give you suggestions concerning the intake of these essential nutrients.
If you choose a well-balanced diet, you can get most of the essentials we all need. Men and women need different amounts of certain nutrients, however, well-balanced meals and a varied diet can help us all have just what we need for our aging process.