What Is the Difference Between Vitamins and Minerals?
We all know that getting our recommended daily amount of vitamins and minerals is important to our overall health. However, unless you are a nutritionist you may not know the actual difference between vitamins and minerals. The biggest difference is that vitamins are organic. Meaning they come from plants and animals. Minerals are inorganic meaning they come from water or matter. Here is everything you need to know about the differences.
What Are Vitamins?
Vitamins are organic molecules which means they contain carbon, the building block of life. Essential vitamins include:
β Vitamin A
β Vitamin D
β Vitamin K
β Vitamin C
β Vitamin E
β Thiamine
β Riboflavin
β Niacin
β Pantothenic acid
β Biotin
β Vitamin B6
β Vitamin B12
β Folate
Vitamins come in two categories. The first is fat-soluble vitamins. These include vitamins A, K, E, and D. These vitamins dissolve in fat to be stored in the body. The second type is water-soluble vitamins. These vitamins include Vitamin C and all B vitamins. These bodies are broken down by water but cannot be stored in our bodies. So we need to consume them every day to stay healthy.
What Are Minerals?
Minerals on the other hand are inorganic, meaning they do not contain carbon. Minerals cannot be synthesized by our bodies. Instead, we have to get them from our food and water. There are two kinds of minerals. The first is the essential minerals your body needs every day. Essential minerals include:
β Calcium
β Phosphorus
β Potassium
β Sodium
β Chloride
β Magnesium
β Sulfur
β Cobalt
β Fluoride
β Manganese
The second type is trace minerals. Trace minerals you only need trace amounts of daily. These include:
β Chromium
β Copper
β Iodine
β Iron
β Selenium
β Zinc
Getting the right balance of essential and trace minerals is key to a healthy body.
How To Make Sure You Are Getting Enough Vitamins And Minerals
Our bodies need both vitamins and minerals. To stay healthy we need to make sure we are getting the full recommended amount of both every day. The best way to do this is through healthy nutrition. This can be hard because we donβt always have the time to eat how weβd like. In those cases, supplementation is a great plan. You can supplement with a daily vitamin or with fortified beverages like a nootropic drink.
Whatβs the best functional beverage to supplement your vitamins and minerals? Available in three different varieties, All Phenoms is a great option. Flavorful and loaded with the essential vitamins and minerals you need, our will help ensure you get the recommended nutrition you need every day.