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Vitamins and Minerals
Unlike protein, carbohydrates and fats,
vitamins do not yield usable energy when broken down. They
assist the enzymes that release energy from carbohydrates,
proteins and fats, but they do not provide energy themselves.
(thus, beware of claims for "energy vitamins" or for diets that
replace foods with vitamin supplements)
Vitamins and minerals are widely available from the
natural foods we eat. So, before you reach for the vitamin jar,
try eating your vitamins from natural foods. Here are some
of the best sources for each:
Note the nutritional powerhouses:
spinach and broccoli. Now you know why your mother always forced you to eat your
vegetables as a child!!!!!
Vitamin |
What the
vitamin does |
Significant
food sources |
|
B1 (thiamin) |
Supports energy
metabolism, and nerve function |
spinach, green
peas, tomato juice, watermelon, sunflower seeds, lean ham,
lean pork chops, soy milk |
B2 (riboflavin) |
Supports energy
metabolism, normal vision, and skin health |
spinach,
broccoli, mushrooms, eggs, milk, liver, oysters, clams |
B3 (niacin) |
Supports energy
metabolism, skin health, nervous system, and digestive system |
spinach,
potatoes, tomato juice, lean ground beef, chicken breast,
tuna (canned in water), liver, shrimp |
Biotin |
Energy
metabolism, fat synthesis, amino acid metabolism, glycogen
synthesis |
widespread in
foods |
Pantothenic
Acid |
Supports energy
metabolism |
widespread in
foods |
B6 (pyridoxine) |
Amino acid and
fatty acid metabolism, red blood cell production |
bananas,
watermelon, tomato juice, broccoli, spinach, acorn squash,
potatoes, white rice, chicken breast |
Folate |
Supports DNA
synthesis and new cell formation |
tomato juice,
green beans, broccoli, spinach, asparagus, okra, black-eyed
peas, lentils, navy, pinto and garbanzo beans |
B12 |
Used in new
cell synthesis, helps break down fatty acids and amino
acids, supports nerve cell maintenance |
meats, poultry,
fish, shellfish, milk, eggs |
C (ascorbic
acid) |
Collagen
synthesis, amino acid metabolism, helps iron absorption,
immunity, antioxidant |
spinach,
broccoli, red bell peppers, snow peas, tomato juice, kiwi,
mango, orange, grapefruit juice, strawberries |
A (retinol) |
Supports
vision, skin, bone and tooth growth, immunity and
reproduction |
mango,
broccoli, butternut squash, carrots, tomato juice, sweet
potatoes, pumpkin, beef liver |
D |
Promotes bone
mineralization |
self-synthesis
via sunlight, fortified milk, egg yolk, liver, fatty fish |
E |
Antioxidant,
regulation of oxidation reactions, supports cell membrane
stabilization |
polyunsaturated
plant oils (soybean, corn and canola oils), wheat germ,
sunflower seeds, tofu, avocado, sweet potatoes, shrimp, cod |
K |
Synthesis of
blood-clotting proteins, regulates blood calcium |
Brussels
sprouts, leafy green vegetables, spinach, broccoli, cabbage,
liver |
top
Mineral |
What the mineral
does |
Significant food
sources |
|
Sodium |
Maintains fluid
and electrolyte balance, supports muscle contraction and
nerve impulse transmissions |
salt, soy sauce,
bread, milk, meats |
Chloride |
Maintains fluid
and electrolyte balance, aids in digestion |
salt, soy sauce,
milk, eggs, meats |
Potassium |
Maintains fluid
and electrolyte balance, cell integrity, muscle contractions
and nerve impulse transmission |
potatoes, acorn
squash, artichoke, spinach, broccoli, carrots, green beans,
tomato juice, avocado, grapefruit juice, watermelon, banana,
strawberries, cod, milk |
Calcium |
Formation of
bones and teeth, supports blood clotting |
milk, yogurt,
cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, tofu, sardines, green beans,
spinach, broccoli |
Phosphorus |
Formation of
cells, bones and teeth, maintains acid-base balance |
all animal foods
(meats, fish, poultry, eggs, milk) |
Magnesium |
Supports bone
mineralization, protein building, muscular contraction,
nerve impulse transmission, immunity |
spinach,
broccoli, artichokes, green beans, tomato juice, navy beans,
pinto beans, black-eyed peas, sunflower seeds, tofu,
cashews, halibut |
Iron |
Part of the
protein hemoglobin (carries oxygen throughout body's cells) |
artichoke,
parsley, spinach, broccoli, green beans, tomato juice, tofu,
clams, shrimp, beef liver |
Zinc |
A part of many
enzymes, involved in production of genetic material and
proteins, transports vitamin A, taste perception, wound
healing, sperm production and the normal development of the
fetus |
spinach,
broccoli, green peas, green beans, tomato juice, lentils,
oysters, shrimp, crab, turkey (dark meat), lean ham, lean
ground beef, lean sirloin steak, plain yogurt, Swiss cheese,
tofu, ricotta cheese |
Selenium |
Antioxidant.
Works with vitamin E to protect body from oxidation |
seafood, meats
and grains |
Iodine |
Component of
thyroid hormones that help regulate growth, development and
metabolic rate |
salt, seafood,
bread, milk, cheese |
Copper |
Necessary for the
absorption and utilization of iron, supports formation of
hemoglobin and several enzymes |
meats, water |
Manganese |
Facilitates many
cell processes |
widespread in
foods |
Fluoride |
Involved in the
formation of bones and teeth, helps to make teeth resistant
to decay |
fluoridated
drinking water, tea, seafood |
Chromium |
Associated with
insulin and is required for the release of energy from
glucose |
vegetable oils,
liver, brewer's yeast, whole grains, cheese, nuts |
Molybdenum |
Facilitates many
cell processes |
legumes, organ
meats |
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