Terry & Lynda Sherback
Independent Univera Associates

Vitamins: Partners in regulating body functions
Vitamins are needed for a variety of biochemical processes, among them growth, digestion, mental alertness and resistance to infection. They also enable your body to use carbohydrates, fats and proteins, and they act as catalysts by initiating or speeding up chemical reactions. Though vitamins are involved in converting food into energy, they supply no calories.

Vitamins help release energy from our food and help build muscle, bone, blood and other vital tissue. Without a regular supply of vitamins, we cannot maintain good health and normal growth. Since the body does not store all essential vitamins for long periods of time, some have to be supplied on a regular basis. Supplements can be taken to help avoid nutritional deficiencies.

Minerals: Building blocks for your body
Minerals are the main components in your teeth and bones, and they serve as building blocks for other cells and enzymes. They also help regulate the balance of fluids in your body and control the movement of nerve impulses. Some minerals also help deliver oxygen to cells and help carry away carbon dioxide.

Vitamins and minerals are substances your body needs in small but steady amounts for normal growth, function and health. Together, vitamins and minerals are called micronutrients. Your body can't make most micronutrients, so you must get them from the foods you eat or from supplements.

ABCs of Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A: Necessary for growth and repair of body tissues. Helps maintain smooth, soft disease-free skin. Helps prevent night-blindness and weak eyesight.

B-1 (Thiamin): Plays a key role in the body's metabolic cycle for generating energy. Supports the digestion of carbohydrates. Essential for the normal functioning of the nervous system, muscles and heart.

B-2 (Riboflavin): Necessary for carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Supports the formation of antibodies and red blood cells.

B-6 (Pyridoxine): Crucial for the synthesis and breakdown of amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Supports the formation of antibodies.

B-12 (Cyanocobalamin): Supports the formation and regeneration of red blood cells, thus helping prevent anemia. Necessary for carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism.

B-3 (Niacin): Improves circulation and reduces the cholesterol level in the blood. Helps metabolize protein, sugar and fat. Helps reduce high blood pressure.

Vitamin C: Essential for healthy teeth, gums and bones. Builds resistance to infection and helps in the prevention and treatment of the common cold. It is one of the major antioxidant nutrients. Ability to neutralize toxic compounds such as nitrosamines and heavy metals.

Vitamin D: Improves absorption and utilization of calcium required for bone and teeth formation. Maintains a stable nervous system and supports cardiac function.

Vitamin E: Prevents and dissolves blood clots which may lead to strokes and heart attacks. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that reduces oxidation in a wide variety of tissues.

Iron: Combines with protein and copper in making hemoglobin. Hemoglobin transports oxygen in the blood from the lungs to the tissues which need oxygen to maintain basic life functions. Builds up the quality of the blood and increases resistance to stress and disease.

Zinc: A nutrient necessary for protein synthesis. Vital for the development of the reproductive organs, prostate functions and male hormone activity and stability of the blood stream.

Chromium: Works with insulin in the metabolism of sugar and stabilizes blood sugar levels.

Selenium: Acts as an antioxidant for the maintenance of good health. A factor in the maintenance of healthy body cells and tissues. Helps to retard the aging and hardening of tissues through oxidation.

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