Minerals

Along with vitamins human body needs a certain amount of minerals, which also have a broad range of functions. There are 20 minerals, which play significant roles in the body. They include copper, iodine, chromium, iron, tin, zinc, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chlorine, phosphorus, calcium, sulfur and others. Zinc is responsible for helping metabolize proteins and keeping enzymes functioning. Copper is needed by enzymes for metabolizing. Iodine assists the thyroid gland in working properly. Calcium and phosphorus build bones and teeth. Iron delivers oxygen to the body’s cells. Potassium helps muscle contraction, maintains the fluid balance of cells, helps transmit messages through the body’s nerves, and keeps the kidneys and heart working correctly.

Vitamins and minerals not only help the body function, but they work to strengthen each other. The body absorbs iron through the help of vitamin C. Vitamin D helps the body absorb phosphorus and calcium. Vitamins D and K are the only vitamins the body can supply for itself. The skin creates vitamin D when it is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin K is produced by intestinal bacteria. Outside sources must supply the body with all other vitamins.

Ideally, all of us would get all of the nutrients we need for optimal health from fresh, healthful foods. In reality, however, this is often difficult, if not impossible. So, our diet does not always contain all essential vitamins and minerals, that is why we have to take synthetic vitamins and nutritional supplements for optimal health.

Vitamin supplements are usually available as isolated vitamins or in combination with other nutrients.They are available in tablet, capsule, gel-capsule, powder, sublingual, lozenge, and liquid forms. Some vitamins can also be administered by injection.

Synthetic vitamins are vitamins produced in laboratories from isolated chemicals that mirror their counterparts found in nature.

It is good to know that all nutritional supplements work best when taken in combination with food and unless specified otherwise, fat-soluble vitamins should be taken before meals, and water-soluble ones should be taken after meals. What is most important, vitamins should not be used as substitutions for a healthy diet, but rather as supplementation.

Exercise 7. Answer the questions:

1. Which minerals play a significant role in human beings?

2. What is zinc responsible for?

3. What is copper needed for?

4. What does iron do in the body?

5. How do vitamins and minerals strengthen and help each other?

6. What vitamin is produced by intestinal bacteria?

7. What is the ideal source of vitamins and minerals?

8. In which case do nutritional supplements work best?

Exercise 8. Find corresponding equivalents in the text:

Зовнішні джерела, у формі гелієвих капсул, доставляти кисень до клітин тіла, бути заміною здорової дієти, підсилювати один одного, приймати після їжі, у формі льодяників, відігравати значну роль, допомагати скороченню м’язів, мати широкий ряд функцій, поглинати фосфор та кальцій, працювати відповідним чином, у формі порошку, якщо не вказано інакше, віддзеркалювати свої дублікати у природі, вживати синтетичні вітаміни, вироблятися кишковими бактеріями, ізольовані вітаміни, харчові добавки.

Exercise 9. Match the words with their definitions:

Exercise 10. Disagree with the following statements and give the correct information according to the model:

Model: The skin creates vitamin D when it is exposed to atmospheric oxygen. – The skin doesn’t create vitamin D when exposed to atmospheric oxygen. It creates vitamin D when it is exposed to sunlight

1. Zinc is responsible for building bones and teeth.