The human body relies on a network of organs, systems, neurotransmitters and hormones in order to function at an optimal level every day. To ensure that this network functions at the levels required for comprehensive wellness, the body also needs the help of a full complement of both internal and external nutrients.
Some of these nutrients, which include vitamins, minerals and organic chemical compounds, already exist naturally in the body and just need to be replenished. These nutrients are classified as “non-essential” but still need to be replenished by the body; however, even these non-essential nutrients sometimes require the assistance of other nutrients in order to be utilized to their fullest potential by the body.
There are also 26 nutrients that the body cannot produce on its own but are still required for a variety of functions and processes that are needed to ensure optimal whole body health. These 26 nutrients are classified as “essential” and must be introduced to the body either through dietary sources or the use of supplements. While essential vitamins and minerals can be found in a wide variety of food sources, it can be difficult for the average adult to ingest the various types of food required in order to provide the body with a full range of these nutrients. Fortunately, the nutraceutical industry has developed a wealth of multivitamins designed to conveniently provide the body with both essential and non-essential nutrients for supporting comprehensive wellness.
Essential Nutrients
These 13 vitamins and 13 minerals do not exist naturally in the human body, so they must be provided to the body before they can be utilized for the various processes and functions that they are known to support. Therefore, it is not unusual for any of these nutrients to fall to deficient levels and lead to a wide range of symptoms and health conditions that can have detrimental impacts on whole body health. Some of the most prominent essential nutrients include:
Vitamin B Complex
The Vitamin B Complex consists of all eight water-soluble B vitamins, which support a wide variety of functions and processes that influence comprehensive wellness. Some of the functions and processes B vitamins have been known to support include optimal immune function, digestion, nervous system function, energy production and cardiovascular function.
Calcium
Calcium has long been recognized for its role in forming and maintaining strong, healthy bones. However, calcium cannot be absorbed into the bloodstream and utilized by the body without the assistance of other nutrients like vitamin D due to its own lack of bioavailability (absorbability). Inadequate levels of calcium can lead to decreased bone density and an increased risk of osteoporosis.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin”, because the body can only produce it after being exposed to sunlight. In addition to being required for proper calcium absorption into the bloodstream, this vitamin has been recognized as both a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that can support healthy mood regulation and immune function.
Zinc
This potent anti-inflammatory has been recognized for its ability to promote optimal cellular and immune function, but it is probably best known for its critical role in the healing of wounds. Zinc is also required for a wide range of enzymatic reactions that are needed for various functions and processes throughout the body, such as DNA synthesis and protein production.
Vitamin C
This powerful antioxidant is best known for its ability to support healthy immune function, but it has also been recognized for its ability to promote optimal cardiovascular and cognitive function. The body also requires this essential vitamin for the absorption of iron into the bloodstream.
Iron
This essential mineral is required by the body for the production of red blood cells. Without adequate levels of red blood cells, the body would struggle to transport oxygen in the bloodstream throughout the body. Like calcium, iron is lacking in bioavailability; in iron’s case, the body requires vitamin C to enhance bioavailability.
Non-Essential Nutrients
Non-essential nutrients describe the nutrients that are already produced naturally by the body when it is functioning at an optimal level. This class of nutrients is primarily made up of minerals, amino acids and other organic chemical compounds. While most vitamins are not produced naturally by the body and are, therefore, classified as essential, there are some vitamins that have been classified as conditionally essential. Vitamin D is the most prominent example of a conditionally essential nutrient, because it can be produced in the body but only after the body has been exposed to sunlight. Some of the most prominent examples of non-essential nutrients include:
Chromium
This trace mineral can be found in the body but only in small amounts. Chromium can be found in a variety of dietary sources and has been recognized for its ability to promote healthy cardiovascular and metabolic function.
Molybdenum
Molybdenum is another trace mineral that can also be found in a variety of food sources. The body also requires molybdenum to support the healthy function of several enzymes that influence whole body health and overall function.
Selenium
Selenium is a mineral that the body can store in tissue after ingesting it from a variety of potential food sources, although the concentrations of selenium in those food sources can vary by location. This mineral is also a powerful antioxidant that has been recognized for its ability to support healthy cardiovascular, thyroid and cognitive function.
Support Comprehensive Wellness with Professional Grade Multivitamins
To help fill in the gaps and reduce the risk of potential deficiencies, the nutraceutical industry has developed professional grade multivitamin products like Multivitamin Ultra from EVEXIAS Health Solutions. Multivitamin Ultra is packed with a full complement of essential nutrients that have been recognized for their ability to support optimal whole body health. To further promote comprehensive wellness, Multivitamin Ultra also contains select non-essential nutrients that have been known to support various processes and functions. If professional grade nutraceutical products cannot get to the root of symptoms and health conditions impacting whole body health, EVEXIAS also offers a range of other services that include lifestyle management guidance and hormone optimization with EvexiPEL bioidentical hormone pellet therapy. Find the nearest EVEXIAS integrative medicine practitioner today for a customized plan to support comprehensive wellness.
