With rapidly changing food habits and hectic life, people rarely consider whether the food they are eating is nutritious. In today’s changing food habits, our goal usually is just that food should be yummy and it should fill up the tummy. This attitude of ignoring nutrients in food has slowly resulted in deteriorating health. Let’s check why vital nutrients are important in daily food.
A cell is the basic unit of structure and function in the human body. A group of cells with similar functions form tissues, the next level of organization in the body. Then come the organs. Organs comprise two or more types of tissues working together to carry out a body function. Human Organs like the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, and skin, etc. are all formed by groups of tissues working together. Several organs working together form an organ system, and the organ systems collectively form the body.
In short:
This makes it clear that cells are the basic building blocks of our bodies. And if cells are not healthy, we can’t have a healthy body.
How to keep your cells healthy?
The answer is very simple. Take a diet rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and water. Sadly, people just care for the taste and neglect of nutrition in daily food intake. But a diet rich in vital nutrients can boost your immunity, save you from many diseases, and also keep you feeling happy and energetic. That is why eating a balanced diet is of prime importance for maintaining a healthy body.
For a diet to be nutritious, it should have sufficient quantities of the following:
13 essential vitamins Vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and the B vitamins that include thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9) and cobalamin (B12).
Vitamins are needed for the proper functioning of all organs. They help in keeping the immunity strong and maintaining the general wellbeing of the body. From healthy skin to healthy eyes, strong bones to a healthy reproductive system — vitamins play a vital role in your overall health. Acting as antioxidants, essential vitamins protect your cells from damage. Vitamins are even needed to ensure normal blood clotting.
Different food items are rich in different vitamins. So, eat food items from all 5 food groups. That is, include grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and meats or beans in your diet. Try to make your diet varied in color. This will help in ensuring your meals are rich in all essential vitamins.
11 essential minerals Iron, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, magnesium, manganese, iodine, molybdenum, selenium, and chromium.
Just like vitamins, a balance of minerals in the body is essential for good health. Minerals help in maintaining blood pressure, as well as the fluid & electrolyte balance. Minerals are essential for bone health, generation of new cells, delivering oxygen to cells, and helping in muscle and nerve functioning. Different food items are rich in different minerals. So the health tip here is the same as for vitamins. Eat food items from all food groups and of every color.
What amount of vitamins and minerals should you take to stay healthy?
People of different age groups and health conditions have different needs for vitamins and minerals. The following table from the Institute of Medicine suggests the recommended daily requirements for adults ages 19 or older. It doesn’t apply to pregnant or lactating women or growing children.
Vitamin
or Mineral |
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) or Adequate Intake (AI)
Nutrients with AIs are marked with an (*) |
Upper Tolerable Limit (UL)
The highest amount you can take without risk |
Boron
|
Not determined. |
20 mg/day
|
Calcium |
|
|
Chloride
|
|
3,600 mg/day
|
Choline
(Vitamin B complex) |
|
3,500 mg/day
|
Copper
|
900 micrograms/day |
10,000 mcg/day
|
Fluoride |
|
10 mg/day
|
Folic Acid (Folate) |
400 mcg/day |
1,000 mcg/day This applies only to synthetic folic acid in supplements or fortified foods. There is no upper limit for folic acid from natural sources. |
Iodine
|
150 mcg/day |
1,100 mcg/day
|
Iron
|
|
45 mg/day
|
Magnesium |
|
350 mg/day This applies only to magnesium in supplements or fortified foods. There is no upper limit for magnesium in food and water.
|
Manganese
|
|
11 mg/day
|
Molybdenum
|
45 mcg/day |
2,000 mcg/day
|
Nickel
|
Not determined |
1 mg/day
|
Phosphorus
|
700 mg/day |
|
Selenium |
55 mcg/day |
400 mcg/day
|
Sodium
|
|
2,300 mg/day
|
Vanadium
|
Not determined |
1.8 mg/day
|
Vitamin A |
|
3,000 mcg/day
|
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) |
|
35 mg/day This applies only to niacin in supplements or fortified foods. There is no upper limit for niacin in natural sources. |
Vitamin B6 |
|
100 mg/day
|
Vitamin C |
|
2,000 mg/day
|
Vitamin D(Calciferol) |
|
100 mcg/day |
Vitamin E(alpha-tocopherol) |
|
1,500 IU/day
(1,000 mg/day)This applies only to vitamin E in supplements or fortified foods. There is no upper limit for vitamin E from natural sources. |
Zinc
|
|
40 mg/day
|
Do you need food supplements?
If you are healthy, it is enough for you to eat a diet naturally rich in nutrients. This would include eating plenty of grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and meat or beans. Try to include 5 to 9 colors of fruits and vegetables in your meals. This balanced diet would provide sufficient nutrients for most people.
However, the hectic pace of today’s life and your unhealthy eating habits might leave you deficient in vital nutrients. If this is the case, the right kind of supplement might prove helpful for you. But choose your supplement wisely and only after checking its nutrient value, allergy warnings, and reviews.
A Nutrilite daily supplement is world-renowned and recommended by many, especially for people with the following issues:
- Most importantly Adults who are concerned about pollution & immunity (frequent illness)
- Must for Adults who are health conscious and want more from their life.
- Adults who are on the move and aware of the nutritional gap in their diets due to various reasons.
- Adults who do not consume as many fruits and vegetables as required (5 servings per day).
- Adults, who smoke and/or drink (though we don’t encourage smoking and drinking).
Checkout Nutrilite Daily Worlds Best Organic supplement
Note: Best to Consult with your Doctor Before taking any supplement