The human body needs more than just calories to survive. It also needs a complex mixture of vitamins and minerals called micronutrients. Micronutrients are essential and need to be consumed in the diet because the body cannot make them.

Nutrients work together in a delicate balance to keep the body working normally. It’s important to remember that more is not always better when it comes to nutrient supplements. For example, taking too much of one nutrient cannot substitute for missing the recommended amount of another. Also, taking more of a supplement than is recommended can interfere with how other nutrients work in the body. This is called nutrient interaction.

Most experts agree that you’re better off obtaining your nutrients from food. However, if you’re reducing calories to lose weight, it’s a good idea to take a multivitamin/mineral supplement.

Types of Vitamins

• Fat-soluble vitamins cannot be absorbed without the aid of dietary fat. These vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K. Excess amounts are stored in fatty tissues and organs; however, taking in too much can be harmful.
• Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body; excesses are lost in the urine.

Understanding Vitamin Terminology

• Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is the average daily nutrient intake that meets the nutrient needs of almost all healthy individuals.
• Adequate Intake (AI) is the average daily nutrient intake by a group (or groups) of apparently healthy people that are assumed to be adequate.