Importance of Minerals and Vitamins in Human Body- myassignmenthelp

Question: Write about theImportance of Minerals and Vitamins in Human Body. Answer: Essential nutrients are a category of nutrients, which the human body cannot prepare by itself and requires external sources to replenish the body with such nutrients. Minerals and vitamins are such essential nutrients that are required for completion of several crucial pathways inside the human body (Mann and Truswell 2017). Therefore, the prime aim of this assignment to point out importance of these inorganic (minerals) and organic (vitamins) essential nutrients and discuss some unknown facts about them. For further discussion, iron has been selected as the required mineral and Vitamin B12 has been selected as the essential vitamin. Mineral Iron is an important mineral needed for several important aspects of human body. By combing to several proteins, or taking part in few physiological reactions, iron helps for the development of human cells (Prasad 2013). Functions The primary function of iron inside human body is in the formation of red blood cells in the human body. IT binds the oxygen molecules and helps the red blood cells to transport oxygen for the cellular function to the entire body. Further in the muscle cells, with myoglobin, it helps in the storage, transfer and release of oxygen in the muscle tissues. Further, it helps to promote healthy brain functions and maintains healthy immune system (Abbaspour, Hurrell and Kelishadi 2014). Sources Depending on the type of iron found, the iron sources are divided into two sections, haem group and non-haem group. The haem group contains animal sources of iron such as meat, red meat, poultry and fishes. On the other hand, the non-haem group is inclusive of plant derived iron such as vegetables, legumes, cereals and beans (Abbaspour, Hurrell and Kelishadi 2014). Fun facts The haem iron is absorbed quickly than the non-haem iron. Iron is also important for respiration and metabolism for energy. It works as catalyst in the reaction for collagen formation (Prasad 2013). Vitamin Vitamin B12 is an important essential vitamin needed for successful physiological function. This vitamin is also known as cobalamin and deficiencies can affect the neurological system of human body (Fenech 2012). Functions The vitamin B12 is involved in the formation and regulation of human DNA, as well as involved in the formation of red blood cells. There are several neurological functions, in which it helps as catalyst and helps to regulate different responses. Further, this essential vitamin is involved in the human metabolism and plays crucial roles in the formation of fatty acids and energy production (Nielsen et al. 2012). Source This vitamin is naturally present in animal food products such as poultry, fish, meat, egg and milk products. However, plant food sources lack the presence of vitamin B12 in them, but fortified cereals are a good source of vitamin B12. Few of the yeast products are also good source for Vitamin B12 (Fenech 2012). Fun facts Deficiency of vitamin B12 leads to neurological disorder and anemia, as it is involved in the red blood cell production. It is the largest and structurally complex vitamin found largely in the animal food product and absent in the plant food sources. It is industrially produced through bacterial fermentation and hence vegetarians can fulfill their B12 requirement through supplementation (Nielsen et al. 2012). References Abbaspour, N., Hurrell, R. and Kelishadi, R., 2014. Review on iron and its importance for human health.Journal of research in medical sciences: the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences,19(2), p.164. Fenech, M., 2012. Folate (vitamin B9) and vitamin B12 and their function in the maintenance of nuclear and mitochondrial genome integrity.Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis,733(1), pp.21-33. Mann, J. and Truswell, S. eds., 2017.Essentials of human nutrition, 5th Edn, pp. 165-210, Oxford University Press. Nielsen, M.J., Rasmussen, M.R., Andersen, C.B., Nex, E. and Moestrup, S.K., 2012. Vitamin B 12 transport from food to the body's cellsa sophisticated, multistep pathway.Nature Reviews Gastroenterology and Hepatology,9(6), p.345. Prasad, A., 2013.Trace elements and iron in human metabolism, 1st Edn, pp. 123-145, Springer Science Business Media.