Vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients and their impact on metabolism and blood sugar

Vitamins and minerals are essential micronutrients that we primarily get from our diet

They do not provide energy but are crucial to all the metabolic processes, the enzyme functions, and the state of the different tissues.

Vitamin B and vitamin C belong to the water-soluble vitamins. They are excreted in our sweat and urine and are very difficult to overdose on.

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are the lipid-soluble vitamins, which are primarily bound to oils and fats in the diet.

Minerals are various elements, which are natural components of the Earth’s crust. The elements that we get from plant and animal sources are organic and easily assimilable. Together with protein, minerals constitute natural building blocks that are also important for countless enzymatic and metabolic processes. The important minerals are calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorous, sulfur, selenium, chromium, zinc, iron, manganese, and around 60 others.

Coenzyme Q10 is a vitamin-like compound that we humans are able to synthesize. However, the endogenous production tapers off with increasing age.

Metabolism and nutritional supplements

It is vital to have a well-functioning metabolism, especially if you are trying to lose weight. The essential nutrients must be supplied adequately in a steady stream. Even with a healthy diet, there may be several reasons why it can be difficult to get optimal amounts of the different nutrients. Nutrient depletion of the soil, food refining, industrial processing, deep-freezing and boiling all contribute to reduced nutrient content. Add to that factors like stress, stimulant abuse, ageing, pollution, disease, medicine use, and hard physical labor or activity – they all increase the need for nutrients.

Many people can benefit from a strong multivitamin tablet in combination with healthy eating habits and regular exercise

In order to obtain the best absorption and utilization of nutrients, they must be in an assimilable form. Just like it is the case with natural food, the minerals must be organically bound (for instance by being absorbed in yeast cells, bound to amino acids, or chelated).
Vitamins and minerals should also be ingested together, as they work as a team in the body.

People who have problems with their blood sugar levels may benefit from taking extra chromium and B vitamins.
Selenium is important for the metabolism, and all cells need coenzyme Q10 to produce energy.
Green tea, cinnamon, CLA, and carnitine may also help to regulate blood sugar levels and boost the burning of fat.