Vitamin and Mineral Functions

Balanced and optimal macroand micronutrient intake provides an important foundation for good health. Micronutrients are essential for a myriad of body functions, playing indispensable and diverse roles as coenzymes, structural components, pro-hormones, components of body fluids, antioxidants, and many more. Today’s lifestyles and eating habits often result in “unbalanced” diets with many people not even meeting RDA levels of all essential nutrients. Also, because each individual has his or her own “biochemical individuality,” or distinct nutritional needs which must be met for optimal well-being, the RDAs may not be adequate. Many factors can further increase individual nutrient requirements, such as smoking, alcohol abuse, chronic dieting, use of prescription or other drugs, chronic illness, etc. Marginal nutrient deficiencies can be found in all segments of the population, often manifesting vague, non-classic symptoms that make it difficult to recognize and supplement the deficiency. Eating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables and taking a high-quality, scientifically balanced multiple vitamin/mineral supplement is an excellent way to ensure that our individual nutrient needs are met. NUT041 REV. 3/98 13M CLINICAL NUTRITION INSIGHTS Copyright © 1997 Advanced Nutrition Publications, Inc., revised 1998