Vitamins and Minerals: Why Do We Need Them?

Vitamins are organic substances (meaning they are made by plants and animals) which are needed by our bodies to function properly. Minerals are inorganic substances which are also needed for various body functions. Pediatrics recently published an article on current knowledge of vitamins and minerals, including two tables which show the main functions of each vitamin and mineral, and some dietary sources. I recommend also taking a multivitamin with minerals every day, since it is impossible to fit ALL of these dietary sources in adequate amounts into your diet, EVERY DAY.