VITAMIN & MINERAL NOTES

Vitamins are found in nearly all the foods listed on MyPlate. They do not supply energy (calories) as carbohydrates fats, proteins do but are essential because they regulate body chemistry and body functions.

Can vitamins be produced by our bodies?

Mostly NO! They must be eaten in our

food.

Vitamins assist the body in using foods by bringing about biochemical reactions so life can be maintained

Vitamins can be divided into two groups

Fat-solubleKADE

Water-solubleVitamin CAll B vitamins

What does it mean when a vitamin is fat soluble?

Vitamins are absorbed through the intestinal tract with the help of lipids (fats)

Build up and remain for a longer time in the body

Stored in the liver and fatty tissues of the body

What does it mean when a vitamin is water soluble?

Easily dissolved in body

Excreted in the urine

Must be replaced each day

Includes Vitamin C and all B Vitamins

Too few vitamins can keep the body from operating at full capacity. Too many may be toxic to your health.

Excess vitamins will be

1) Excreted through the urine2) Stored in fatty tissue which can

lead to toxicity.

MINERALS Minerals are found in nearly all of the foods

listed in MyPlate. They do not provide energy as carbohydrates, fats and proteins do, but they are essential because they regulate body chemistry and body functions.

Minerals cannot be made by our bodies. They must be ingested.

Minerals are found in

MilksMeatsFruits & VegetablesBreads

Minerals are divided into two groups

Macro Calcium Phosphorus Sodium Potassium

Trace or micro Iron Zinc Copper Fluorine Iodine