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Nutrition as therapy - Importance of Proper diet |
Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements
Dr Ashraf Virmani
There has always been an innate instinct in all animals and humans regarding their nutritional requirements. Since what we are is determined by the nutritional building blocks and by the energy we derive from foods, it follows that our very existence is intimately linked to nutrition. Therefore we have to recognise its enormous importance for our health. What we eat changes our body in subtle ways, there are interaction at the at the genetic and cellular levels, which contribute to the structure and functions of the body at the organ, organism an even social levels. For example, eating foods rich in tryptamines can affect the brain neurotransmitter levels and therefore mood. The various systems of the body, like the immune system, can also be affected by the diet. Therefore it is in the interest of the body as well as the mind that the role played by diet in maintaining good health is recognised.
There
are a number of nutrients that are absolutely essential:.
Water
Energy
(calories) from protein, carbohydrate or fat.
8-10
essential amino acids (all 20 are necessary for protein synthesis,
but we can make some from other amino acids or from carbohydrate and
ammonium ions).
Essential fatty acids (omega 3 fatty acids e.g. EPA, DHA)
13
vitamins (organic compounds required in small amounts). These
typically function as enzyme cofactors, e.g.
niacin (precursor of NAD and NADP), riboflavin (precursor of FAD, FMN),
pyridoxine or B6 (precursor of pyridoxal phosphate).
16-20
minerals (inorganic compounds required in "small" amounts).
Below you will find links to the provide up-to-date information about vitamins, minerals and food supplements.
Importance of Vitamins, Minerals and Other Supplements