Essentials

Essentials Our food provides both the energy we need and the building blocks for making our own structural and functional molecules. Vitamins are organic substances needed in our food in very small quantities for the maintenance of normal metabolism. Minerals are inorganic substances some of which are essential in the diet. About four percent of the total body weight is minerals, usually concentrated in the bones. However, many minerals are required by all of the cells, usually in small quantities. Certain vitamins and minerals are more essential than others. Long-term vitamin deficiencies can lead to serious illness. (Ronzio, 1997) Vitamin E, also known as tocopherol, functions as an antioxidant in the cells and tissues of the body. It protects polyunsaturated fats and other oxygen-sensitive compounds such as vitamin A from being destroyed by damaging oxidation reactions. This is the property it’s best known for. Vitamin E’s antioxidant properties are also important to cell membranes. For example, tocopherol protects lung cells that are in constant contact with oxygen and white blood cells that help the body fight disease. (Knowledgecenter, 1998) This vitamin vitamin, mineral, body, deficiency, cells, blood, system, sources, normal, important, helps, guide, bones, needed, meat, isn’t, calcium, teeth, skin, protein, minerals, milk, growth, found, vitamins, phosphorus, knowledgecenter, intake, eggs, collagen, body’s, 1998, vegetables, role, result