What are all of the Vitamins and Minerals?

Answer 1

role of minerals

Rocks and minerals would have been present on Earth when life originated. Were they simply part of the environment in which life developed, or did they play a more active role?

A range of roles have been proposed for minerals in the Origin of Life, including the provision of one or more of the following:-

• A surface onto which organic molecules could be adsorbed, thereby increasing their concentration
• Early membranes
• Calalysts for the reactions of early life
• A mechanism for the origin of homochirality in the molecules of life
• Transfer of hereditary information
• Mechanisms that were the precursors of photosynthesis
• Energetic reactions capable of driving the first metabolic cysles.

Answer 2

AVitamin A - aka Alpha-carotene, Beta-carotene, Retinol

Vitamin A is needed for strong bones, good vision, and healthy skin. It helps cell reproduction. It also stimulates immunity and is needed for formation of some hormones.

Ascorbic Acid - See Vitamin C

Vitamin B Complexes

Vitamin B1 - aka Thiamine, Thiamin, Aneurin

Your body uses Vitamin B1 to process fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Thiamine helps the boady produce adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, which is the body's main energy-carrying molecule.

Article - Vitamin B1

Vitamin B2 - aka Riboflavin

Vitamin B2 is essential for the generation of energy, nerve development, blood cell development, and the regulation of certain hormones.

Article - Vitamin B2

Vitamin B3 - aka Niacin, Nicotinic acid

Vitamin B5- aka Pantothenic acid

Vitamin B6 - aka Pyridoxin

Vitamin B9 - aka Folic acid, Folacin

Vitamin B12 - aka Cyanocobalamin, Cobalamin

Article - Vitamin B12

CCalcium

Calcium is an important component of a healthy diet . Its minor deficit can affect bone and teeth formation, while its excess can lead to kidney stones. Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium.

In the news:

Calcium may cut severe pregnancy complications: study shows

Vitamin C - aka Ascorbic Acid

Vitamin C is essential for the manufacturing of collagen, necessary for tissue repair. It is needed for metabolising phenylalanine, tyrosine, folic acid and iron. Vitamin C is also vital for healthy immune and nervous systems because it strengthens blood vessels, as it is an antioxidant that participates in oxidation-reduction reactions. Also, it is required for utilizing carbohydrates and synthesizing fats and proteins.

Copper

Copper works together with iron to make red blood cells and it is the major component of the outer coating of nerve fibers and collagen. Copper is involved in maintenance of immunity and feertility, formation of melanin, and the promotion of consistent pigmentation. It is believed that zinc and copper compete for absorption in the digestive tract so that a diet that is excessive in one of these minerals may result in a deficiency in the other.

DVitamin D

Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin because it can be formed by direct sunlight on the skin. It is an essential vitamin particularly for children because it helps calcium and phosphorus to form straight, strong bones and teeth. In particularly, vitamin D is used to absorb calcium and phosphorus to create bone.

EVitamin E - aka Alpha-tocopherol

Vitamin E helps to protect vitamin A and red blood cells, it serves as a cofactor in several enzyme systems. It keeps excessive oxidation from occurring that could cause harmful effects in the body.

FFat-soluble vitamins

Fat-soluble vitamins can be stored in the body for long periods. They are stored mostly in the fatty tissue and in the liver. The fat-soluble vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K. These are generally consumed along with fat-containing foods. Because they can be stored in the body's fat, they do not have to be consumed every day.

Folic Acid

Folic acid is a component of vitamin B. It is used in our bodies to make new cells. Increased folic acid intake is frequently recommended for women who are pregnant or who are trying to get pregnant.

Article - Why Folic Acid Is Important

Fluoride

Fluoride is not technically an essential mineral, because the body can live without it, the benefits that fluoride has on cavity prevention are very well documented. But how does fluoride help prevent cavities?

GHVitamin H - aka Biotin

Vitamin H is essential to normal growth and development and overall health. Bacteria in the intestines produce enough biotin for the body so that most people would not need an additional supplement of vitamin H.

IIodine

Despite its abundance, iodine deficiency is relatively common. Severe iodine deficiency often occurs in people that are afflicted with thyroid disease or a hyperthyroid disorder, or those who have developed a goiter. Symptoms of iodine deficiency may manifest as extreme fatigue, weight gain, facial puffiness, constipation, slowing of both physical and mental processes, and lethargy.

Iron

Iron is an essential mineral stored by the body in red blood cells. It is also the most common mineral deficiency in the world. The symptoms of deficiency are tiredness, general weakness, an inability to concentrate, susceptibility to infection, impaired performance, and in general, ill health. Calcium and copper must be present for iron to function properly, and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) enhances absorption. Iron is necessary for proper metabolization of B vitamins.

Article - Iron Mineral 101

JKVitamin K - aka Phytonadione

Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting, it is one vitamin that is made within the human body--by bacteria that live in the intestinal tract. When foods are processed or cooked, very little of vitamin K contained in foods is lost.

LMMagnesium

Magnesium is vital for a healthy nervous system, muscle contraction, and for the formation of healthy bones and teeth. Magnesium can also help guard against cardiovascular disease and lower high blood pressure. Magnesium deficiency can adversely affect the immune system Lastly, magnesium may be useful in preventing type II Diabetes and its complications, alleviating the symptoms of PMS and minimizing the severity of Asthma attacks.

Manganese

In animal species, manganese deficiency results in abnormal skeletal development. Manganese is the preferred cofactor of enzymes called glycosyltransferases, which are required for the synthesis of proteoglycans that are needed for the formation of healthy cartilage and bone. It is often added to Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements for this very reason.

OOmega 3

Many studies have supported the health benefits of increasing omega-3 fatty acids in diets deficient in this nutrient; these studies have also provided information as to the detrimental effects of an omega-3 deficient diet. Many studies have shown that high doses of omega-3 can treat Bipolar disorder and depression, while other research has shown a better benefit at lower doses and no benefit, and even worsening of the symptoms at higher doses.

Article - The truth about Omega 3

Article - Omega 3 - How Will It Benefit You?

Vitamin P - aka Flavinoids

Vitamin P enhances the use of vitamin C by improving absorption and protecting it from oxidation. Great sources of this vitamin are found in the edible pulp of fruits, green pepper, broccoli, and red wine.

Potassium

Potassium is an essential mineral and electrolyte. Research shows that increasing your potassium intake can lower your blood pressure. Individuals with existing hypertension, as well as those just looking to keep their blood pressure in check, can benefit from potassium.

QRSelenium

In recent years, laboratory experiments, clinical trials and epidemiological data have established the role of selenium in the prevention of a number of degenerative conditions including cancer, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular disease, neurological diseases, aging, and infections. Most of these effects are related to the function of selenium in the antioxidant enzyme systems.

Sodium

Sodium works with chloride and bicarbonate to maintain the body's balance of positive and negative ions in our body fluids and tissues. Without this balance of ions, our bodies electrical systems would not communicate. Sodium holds water in body tissues. The average American diet provides far too much sodium than we need.

TUVWWater-soluble vitamins

The water-soluble vitamins include the eight B vitamins and vitamin C. These cannot be stored in the body for long and should be consumed frequently, preferably every day,

XYZZinc

Zinc is an essential mineral that is found in every cell in our body. It stimulates the activity of about 100 enzymes, substances that promote biochemical reactions in your body. Among its many functions, zinc maintains a healthy immune system, is needed for wound healing, helps maintain your sense of taste and smell, and is needed for DNA synthesis.