Do you know that a vitamin or mineral deficiency can result in disease? Alarm bells should be ringing because commercially-farmed vegetables, fruits and grains are being cultivated on land which is depleted of minerals. No matter how much of these foods we eat, we are literally starving our bodies.

As early as 1936, it was reported in Senate Document No 264 that “We know that vitamins are complex chemical substances which are indispensable to nutrition, and that each of them is of importance for normal function of some special structure in the body. Disorder and disease result from any vitamin deficiency. It is not commonly realized, however, that vitamins control the body’s appropriation of minerals, and in the absence of minerals they have no function to perform. Lacking vitamins, the system can make some use of minerals, but lacking minerals, vitamins are useless.”

“Certainly our physical well-being is more directly dependent upon the minerals we take into our systems than upon calories of vitamins or upon the precise proportions of starch, protein of carbohydrates we consume.”

Vitamins are organic compounds which are produced in living things like fruit, grain and vegetables. Minerals are inorganic compounds that plants obtain from the soil. Minerals ensure that we derive energy from the food we eat and help to direct that energy for life-sustaining functions.

Both vitamins and minerals help drive chemical reactions by interacting with enzymes responsible for a wide range of metabolic functions necessary for the maintenance, growth and repair of the human body.

Minerals perform a variety of special functions. For instance, potassium, sodium, and chloride act as electrolytes that help maintain cell-fluid balance. Iron carries oxygen. Potassium is critical in keeping your heart beating. Sulfur is a component of some amino acids — the building blocks of protein. Calcium and phosphorus are responsible for bone structure. Magnesium helps muscles relax after they contract.

Vitamins and minerals work together for optimal results. Vitamin D and calcium synergise to maintain bone health. Vitamin C helps iron absorption from beans, great news for those who are vegan or cutting down on meat consumption.

Processed foods tend to have a high sodium content, so try to avoid them. Too much sodium can cause an imbalance with other minerals and even lead to high blood pressure.

Not all carrots are equal. Take a long, hard look at your diet. Are you eating empty calories? Make sure you’re getting plenty of minerals and vitamins. People who could benefit from vitamin and mineral supplements include pregnant women, people recovering from surgery, strict vegetarians, the elderly, those who are very active – like sportsmen – and individuals with chronic diseases.