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Mother, Infant and Young Child Nutrition and Malnutrition |
Healthy Nutrition |
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About Healthy Nutrition
The Elements of a Healthy Diet
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins are needed by the body in small amounts to enable it to grow, develop and function. They work with other compounds to help
produce energy, build tissues, remove waste and ensure that our body works efficiently. Minerals are metals and other inorganic
compounds that promote body processes and provide much of their structure for bones and teeth. Vitamins and minerals work together
and require the actions of other vitamins and minerals to be effective.
The Vitamins needed by humans are divided into water-soluble vitamins (B vitamins and vitamin C) and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K). Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed by
the intestine and carried to different parts of the body by the lymphatic system which forms part of our immune system. They are essential for maintaining the structure of our cells.
A diet that has enough fresh, unrefined foods should have adequate quantities of vitamins and minerals. Fresh fruits and vegetables should appear in your daily diet and,
whenever possible, fresh meat and fish should be used in place of processed or canned products.
02 January, 2009
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