How Minerals Affect Vitamins?
The human body is a complex junction of different minerals, vitamins, and nutrients that maintain the balance of a healthy body. This system enables the body to function efficiently. If this balance is disturbed in any way, it will eventually lead to complications and deficiencies.
Therefore, having some understanding of minerals and vitamins work together is essential to enjoy a healthy balanced life.
Minerals & Vitamins: The Relationship
The human body needs and uses two types of minerals, micro, and macro. Micro minerals, also known as trace minerals, are needed by the body in smaller quantities than the macro. Despite this fact, they have a significant effect on the body and should be consumed according to the body's needs as a slight imbalance of them can cause different complications.
The trace minerals and vitamins have a close relation; a deficiency or excess of one may lead to complications with another. Here are some functions that this power mix does within our human body:
- Minerals help break down vitamins so that they can do their job effectively.
- From strengthening bones to bolstering the immune system to healing wounds, vitamins and minerals perform hundreds of roles in the body.
- These immunity boosters also repair cellular damage and help convert food into energy.
Let’s find out how trace minerals affect vitamins.
Copper
Copper is found in many enzymes within the body and is needed for iron metabolism. Excess intake of copper leads to vitamin C deficiency, whereas its shortage increases vitamin B5 requirement in the body.
Iron
Iron is a trace mineral required in a slightly more amount than other minor minerals. iron has a close link to vitamin as the body absorbs iron better through vitamin A. When iron is taken with vitamin A, it can significantly reverse the symptoms of iron deficiency in children, i.e., Anemia.
Manganese
With the increase in the absorption of manganese, the absorption of vitamin B6 also increases and vice versa. When consumed in combination, they help treat Autism and possible symptoms of PMS.
Selenium
When taken with vitamin D, it is an antioxidant that improves selenium balance effectively in the body, whereas its deficiency can cause inadequacy of vitamin E.
Zinc
Zinc is a vital trace mineral and plays a crucial role in healing wounds, building the immune system, and for the growth and development of the body. It is also required for transporting Vitamin A around the body. Zinc and vitamin A together can do wonders for the body. They can help to reduce chances of infection in children, influence their growth positively and sustain eye health in adults.
Chromium
It is an essential trace mineral that increases the protein and carbohydrates in the body. It works to regulate the blood sugar level, i.e., glucose.
How Minerals Affect Vitamins?
Trace minerals are basically immune boosters required by our bodies to stay healthy as they help other elements to function correctly, such as vitamins. It is advised to consume plant-based trace minerals to replenish and restore the body’s health as we cannot get an adequate amount of minerals from traditional sources.