Essential Nutrients: Why Daily Intake of Vitamins & Minerals is Crucial

Vitamins and minerals are necessary for the body to function properly, but they cannot be stored. Some of these substances include:

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is not stored in the body. It must be obtained from the diet on a daily basis. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, berries, bell peppers, and spinach.

B vitamins: B vitamins are water-soluble vitamins that are not stored in the body. They must be obtained from the diet on a daily basis. B vitamins are found in meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, fortified cereals, and legumes.

Minerals: Minerals are inorganic elements that are necessary for the body to function properly. Minerals cannot be synthesized by the body, so they must be obtained from the diet. Some minerals that are not stored in the body include calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. Calcium is found in milk, yogurt, cheese, broccoli, and kale. Potassium is found in fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Magnesium is found in nuts, seeds, whole grains, and dark leafy vegetables. Zinc is found in meat, poultry, fish, beans, and nuts.