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Vitamins. (Essential Nutrients and Their Functions) (The Basics of Good Nutrition)
- Article from:
- The Columbia Univ. Coll. of Physicians & Surgeons Complete Home Medical Guide
- Article date:
- January 1, 1989
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1989 Lowenstein Associates, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
MORE THAN 40 DIFFERENT nutrients are essential to maintaining good health. These fall into 6 categories: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. Dietary fiber, although not a nutrient per se, is also considered important to good health.
Vitamins
Vitamins are substances derived from "organic" materials that are essential to a wide variety of bodily functions. In general, vitamins must be derived from the diet, although some are consumed in a precursor form that is then converted to an active vitamin form in the body.
Vitamins (along with minerals) are commonly referred to as ...