Overview
Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients that are significant to ensure adequate nutrition of the body. Vitamins can be divided into water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins include vitamin B and vitamin C whereas fat-soluble vitamins are vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K. Examples of some important minerals for our body are calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, sulfur and iron. When there is a deficiency of these vitamins and minerals in the body, malnutrition occurs. Risk factors of having these deficiencies include poor diet intake, surgery of digestive tract, chronic alcoholism, and certain medications intake such as diuretics. On top of that, diseases affecting the liver, gallbladder, intestine, pancreas, and kidney may also contribute to vitamin and mineral deficiency. Generally, vitamin and mineral deficiency is treated with dietary changes and supplements. In severe cases of deficiency, hospitalization may be needed to administer micronutrients intravenously.
