6 Essential Vitamins and Minerals You Need

Ensure your well-being and healthy habits last for a lifetime by supplementing your diet with these essential vitamins and minerals.

Calcium. This mineral is vital to the development and structure of your bones and teeth, and the normal functioning of your blood cells and vascular systems. Ninety-nine percent of the calcium your body stores in the bones and the teeth. The remaining one percent exists in the blood and muscles. Over time, a lack of calcium can lead to osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones deteriorate and weaken. There is an increased risk of fracture with osteoporosis.

Vitamin D. A fat-soluble vitamin, D helps your body absorb calcium—vital for strong bones and maintaining ideal levels of phosphorous in the blood.

Omega-3s. Omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in fish oils, bring fats into the systems that are beneficial to cellular growth and are especially beneficial for treating aches and pains in the joints.

Vitamin E. The antioxidant properties of this essential vitamin helps the body fend off the ravages of free-radicals, the energy by-products that harm cells and contribute to the development of disease, including heart disease and various forms of cancer.  It also plays an essential part in repairing the structure of DNA, maintaining the functions of the immune system, and regulating metabolism. The taking of vitamin E supplements has been linked to a lower incidence of cataract development and a decreased risk of heart attacks and heart attack-related deaths. In a study out of Cambridge University, vitamin E reduced the risk of both fatal and non-fatal heart attacks by 47 percent and non-fatal heart attacks by 77 percent. New research is also showing that vitamin E may play a role in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Lycopene. An antioxidant found in tomatoes, carrots, and other colorful vegetables, lycopene is believed to keep cancerous tumors from forming in the prostate and shrink existing tumors.

Vitamin C. Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) is an essential part of collagen, a protein needed for optimal for cell and tissue growth, healing from skin wounds and bone repair, and the formation of blood vessels.  It also keeps your immune system healthy and helps you absorb iron.

I must say, it feels good to know you're getting your essential nuturients just by taking vitamins and minerals.