Health Nutrition
Vitamins and minerals: are you getting what you need?
If you’re eating healthily you should be getting the nutrients you need to stay well. Here’s how to find out how nutritious your diet really is – and whether or not you may need extra help from a supplement
If you’ve decided to give your health a boost this year, one of the best places to start is by making sure your body is getting the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. But which are the main vitamins and minerals you need, and which foods can you get them from? According to the NHS, vitamins and
minerals are nutrients your body needs in small amounts to work properly. Most people should get all the nutrients they need in a varied and balanced diet – though some may need to take extra supplements. Here’s a quick guide to the main nutrients your diet should include:
8 All About health
Vitamin A Why do you need it? Vitamin A helps your immune system to work properly so that you can fight off illnesses and infection naturally. You also need it to see in dim light and for healthy skin.
Where can you get it? Find vitamin A in foods such as liver, oily fish, cheese, eggs, milk, yoghurt and fortified low-fat spreads. As a plant substance called beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A in the body, you can also get it from beta-carotene-containing foods such as yellow fruit and vegetables, and red and green vegetables.
TAKE CARE Large amounts of vitamin A can be harmful to unborn babies. So if you’re pregnant or thinking about having a baby, try to avoid eating liver and liver products, as these are particularly high in vitamin A. Also avoid taking supplements that contain vitamin A.
B vitamins Why do you need it? There are several different types of B vitamins, and you need them for a variety of reasons. B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin) and B3 (niacin) keep your nervous system healthy and, along with another
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