Vitamins and minerals are vital to life and bodily functions.

The best way to get the vitamins and minerals is through food. However, today dietary supplements can be useful as medicines. With proper scientific evidence, vitamins and minerals are being recommended for the prevention and treatment of several illnesses. In such treatment regimens, often higher doses of the dietary supplements are needed.

a. Water-soluble vitamins are vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and eight members of the vitamin B complex: thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin, pyridoxine (vitamin B6), folic acid, cobalamin (vitamin B12), biotin, and pantothenic acid.

b. Fat-soluble vitamins are retinol (vitamin A), cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol (vitamin D), _-tocopherol (vitamin E), and phylloquinone and menaquinone (vitamin K). Only vitamins A, E, and B12 are stored to any significant extent in the body.

Many Americans are deficient in important vitamins and minerals in their daily diet. The U.S. Department of Agriculture found that a significant percentage of the population receives less than 80% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for vitamins A, C, and B complex and the essential minerals, calcium, magnesium and iron.

Our world is changing and so is our food supply.

Data reported by D. Bergner has shown that since 1948, levels of essential minerals, iron, manganese, and copper have declined significantly in many agricultural crops. Iron and selenium content and levels in the soil and food have dropped dramatically. Residents who live in the Northern part of the U.S. have a lower incidence of stroke, heart disease, and cancer than residents in the southern part of the U.S. Studies have shown that selenium deficiency will lead to increased risk for stroke, heart disease, and cancer.

Today, the vitamins and minerals are often expressed on the basis of DV(daily value) which can be based on a diet, such as a 2000 calorie daily diet. Previously, the RDA (recommended daily allowance) where known, was expressed in cases of Vitamins and minerals.

A number of vitamins and minerals have been associated with preventing age-related chronic disease and also improving pregnancy outcomes. These nutrients include:

• Vitamins C, E, and D.
• Folic acid.
• Vitamin B12 and B6 vitamins.
• Minerals, include calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and selenium.

In cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, there is a link between antioxidant nutrients and B vitamins.  Higher intake of folic acid, vitamin B6 and B12 are required to lower homocysteine levels.  Vitamins E and C may help in lowering CV risk factors associated with elevated homocysteine levels. 

Examples of micronutrients and disease prevention:

1) Calcium and vitamin D intake have been associated with risk of osteoporosis, hypertension, colon cancer, and lead poisoning.

2) Dietary antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin E, B-carotene have been associated with decreased risk of some cancers, cataract, hypertension, infectious disease, and heart diseases, as well as protection against pro-oxidant environmental pollutants.

3) Vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid are associated with reduced risk of some cancers, cognitive impairment, heart disease, neural tube birth defects.

4) Reduction of total and saturated dietary fats is inversely associated with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, gallbladder disease, obesity, and cancer.

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