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WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL
VITAMINS AND
MINERALS? Essential vitamins and minerals are those which are required for the body to perform its myriad of functions effectively – from sending nerve signals across complex brain and body pathways, to fighting off the free radicals that cause us to age and get sick. They are called micronutrients because we require only small amounts to be healthy. When we have a vitamin deficiency, we can face a host of problems – including scurvy, vision impairment, reduced bone strength, and tooth and gum disease. At some points of our lives, we are advised to take supplements – for instance, during pregnancy we are instructed to take supplements of folic acid, since this can help prevent spinal and brain problems in babies. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS
192 / JUNE 2020 WWW.ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM
