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Option 1 : Minerals
The correct answer is Minerals.
- Humans need energy delivering macronutrients (fat, carbohydrate, protein) and no energy delivering micronutrients.
- Micronutrients are the groups of nutrients required by our bodies in small amounts.
- These include vitamins and minerals which are essential for growth and energy.
- Since our body cannot produce vitamins and minerals, they are taken externally from different food products.
Micronutrients can be divided into the four types:
- Water-Soluble Vitamins
- Most vitamins can be dissolved in water.
- They are difficult to store in the body and get flushed out in urine when consumed in large quantities.
- Since they are not stored in the body, it is important to take them enough from different food sources.
- Fat-Soluble Vitamins
- These vitamins do not dissolve in water.
- These are stored in the liver and fatty tissues for future use.
- Vitamins A, D, E, and K are important fat-soluble vitamins.
- They play a major role in the proper functioning of the immune system, proper bone development, proper vision, and protection of cells from damage.
- Macrominerals
- Macrominerals are required in higher amounts as compared to trace minerals.
- The important macrominerals and their functions include:
- Calcium - For the proper structure and function of bones.
- Phosphorus - Cell membrane structure
- Magnesium - Enzyme reactions
- Sodium - Fluid balance and maintenance of blood pressure
- Chloride - Maintains fluid balance and formation of digestive juices.
- Potassium - Nerve impulse transmission and muscle function.
- Sulphur - present in all the living tissues
- Trace Minerals
- These are required in very small amounts, but perform various important functions in our body.
- Iron, manganese, copper, zinc, iodine, fluoride, and selenium are some of the important trace minerals required by the body.
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