They are important for our well-being and helping our immune system to function properly. Both are essential for growth, energy and in protecting our body's cells from damage. The best way to ensure an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals is to eat a varied, balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, as discussed in the healthier eating section. However, most of us don't eat well all the time, plus other factors like stress, being run down or taking the contraceptive pill, may lead to deficiencies in some nutrients.
Modern processing, cooking methods and storage can also deplete the vitamin and mineral content of our food before we've even eaten it. For example, boiling broccoli for just 10 minutes will destroy over two thirds of its vitamin C content. So sometimes we may benefit from taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement.
