64. Why do we need vitamins and minerals?
Vitamins and minerals are present in our body in very small
amounts, but are very important for the health of the body. Their
deficiency causes many types of diseases.
The body requires only one hundredth of a gram of Vitamin B every
day and its deficiency causes a disease known as beri-beri.
This vitamin is found in bread and meat. Vitamin A is found in
carrots and liver and without it we suffer from night blindness.
Vitamin C is present in fresh fruits and vegetables. It's absence from
the body causes the disease scurvy.
Minerals are equally essential for the body. Iron present in meat,
eggs and bread is needed to make the blood pigment hemoglobin.
Calcium from milk, cheese and bread and phosphorous are required
for the growth of bones and teeth.
