Vitamins, minerals and supplements
There is more calcium in the body than any other mineral, and it has several important functions.
These include:
A lack of calcium could lead to a condition called Rickets in children or osteoporosis in later life.
Good sources of calcium include:
Adults need 700mg of calcium a day.
You should be able to get all the calcium you need from your daily diet.
Taking high doses of calcium (over 1,500mg a day) could lead to stomach pain and diarrhoea .
You should be able to get all the calcium you need by eating a varied and balanced diet.
If you take calcium supplements, don't take too much. Taking 1,500mg or less a day is unlikely to cause any harm.
Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients that your body needs in small amounts to work properly.
Vitamin A is also known as retinol and it has several important functions.
There are many different types of vitamin B and they all have important functions.
Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid and has several important functions.
Vitamin D has several important functions. For example, it helps to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body.
Vitamin E has several important functions. For example, it acts as an antioxidant, which protects cell membranes.
Vitamin K has several important functions. For example, it is needed for blood clotting, which means it helps wounds to heal properly.
There is more calcium in the body than any other mineral, and it has several important functions.
Iodine helps to make the thyroid hormones. These hormones help to keep cells and the metabolic rate healthy.
Iron is an essential mineral that has several important roles in the body.
As well as vitamins and more common minerals such as calcium, iodine and iron a healthy diet includes many other substances.