Vitamins and minerals are essential micronutrients required by the body. These nutrients play several roles in the body. These are not produced by the body in large quantities and must therefore be taken in through food.
These nutrients help strengthen bones, heal wounds and strengthen the immune system. They help convert food into energy and repair damaged cells. Deficiencies in each of these nutrients lead to a number of diseases, including inflammation, inflammation and blindness.
What is Vitamins?
Vitamins are important bioactive compounds in small amounts. These are not produced by the body in large quantities and therefore must come from the diet.
These vitamins can be water soluble or fat soluble. Water-soluble vitamins cannot be stored by the body for long periods of time. They are excreted in the urine. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in adipose tissue and liver. These can be stored in the body for several days.
What is Minerals?
Minerals can be obtained from foods such as meals, bread, meat, fish, dairy products and nuts, and not all minerals are needed by the body. For example, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium and potassium are more essential for the body than iron and zinc.
From the aforementioned differences between vitamins and minerals, we can conclude that they have different biological activities and chemical structures. To maintain a healthy body, you must eat a healthy diet to get enough vitamins and minerals every day
Difference between Minerals and Vitamins
| Vitamins | Minerals |
| Vitamins are organic compounds obtained from animals and plants. | Minerals are inorganic compounds originated in the earth. |
| All the 13 vitamins are needed. | All the minerals are not needed by the body. |
| Vitamins are easily broken down by heat and chemical agents. It is difficult to shuttle vitamins to the body from food. | Minerals are indestructible and are less vulnerable to heat and chemical agents. Minerals in water and soil easily find their way to the body through plants and animals. |
| Vitamins are classified as water-soluble and fat-soluble. | Minerals are classified as macrominerals and microminerals. |
| Vitamins develop red blood cells and help in blood clotting. They also release energy from the food and help maintain healthy skin, eyes, and hair. | Minerals help in blood coagulation and muscle contraction. They also help in bone and tooth formation. |
| A few examples of vitamins are Vitamin A, B and C. | A few examples of minerals are iron and calcium. |
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