The rest of the above mentioned vitamins are water-soluble vitamins. What this means to you and me is that they get eliminated from the body easily, because of urination; therefore, it is important to keep these in our daily diets. However with vitamin B12 the body will store it in the liver for long periods of time. The following is a list of the function each of these vitamins plays in the upkeep of the human body.

Vitamin A: This vitamin is necessary for a healthy skeletal system, soft tissue, skin, mucous membranes, and health of the retina. It has also shown to be necessary for lactation and healthy reproductive organs.

Vitamin B1, B3, B6 and B12: Vitamin B1 is necessary for the healthy functioning of the nervous system, heart and muscles. It is also needed to convert carbohydrates into usable energy. Vitamin B3 is also required for carbohydrates into energy. It is also necessary for the skin, digestive system and nervous system. Vitamin B6 is needed for the body to maintain a healthy immune system. It does this by producing the necessary anti-bodies. It is also needed to produce red blood cells and to help breakdown complex proteins. Vitamin B12 is similar to B6, in that it helps with formation of red blood cells. Along with that, it is also necessary for a healthy immune and nervous system.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C could also be known as the great healer. This is because the body needs it to conduct all the repairs and growth of tissues. It also prevents certain disease such as cancer, heart problems, premature aging and arthritis.

Vitamin D&E: You need healthy amounts of vitamin D for the body t absorb calcium. It is also a known anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic agent. Vitamin E is a powerful anti-oxidant. It is also helpful for red blood cell formation.

Vitamin K: Vitamin K is the one that makes the blood clot normally. It is also essential for maintaining healthy bones, especially in old people.

Proteins contain around twenty essential building structures referred to as amino acids. These are the raw materials needed to create proteins. The body forms a chain of amino acids according to genetic blueprints. Some genetic blueprints require short chains. Others, long chain that are folded into three dimensions like an origami art.

Protein just like carbohydrates and fat is called a macronutrient. This means the body needs huge amounts of protein to be able to function fully. However, unlike fat and carbohydrates, the body does not store proteins. It has no protein reserve to draw on in case the supply is depleted. The body therefore requires a daily dose of amino acids to build new protein. For nutrients that are required in small amounts such as minerals and vitamins, they are referred to as micronutrients.

The Institute of Medicine in the US 0.8 protein grams are needed by the body per kilo of body weight each day to prevent it from breaking down its own tissues. The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends a total of seven ounces of protein daily for adolescent boys and men. For 2 to 5 year olds, women and older people, a total five ounces daily is enough. And for children above 5 years old, teenage girls, physically active women and majority of men, a total of six ounces of proteins is required every day.

The amount required is actually very modest. It is not necessary for you to consume protein the entire day to get this minimum daily requirements. The amounts are sufficient to provide for the body’s daily protein needs.

Protein is vital to the body’s continuous functioning. It is necessary to build tissues and repair old ones. It is also a component needed to build enzymes, hormones and other chemicals in the body. It is an important component found in all muscles, bones, cartilage, skin and even, in human blood.

If the body does not get enough protein, a condition called kwashiorkor could occur. The lack of protein in the body can lead to various problems such as inability to grow, lean muscle mass loss, reduced immunity, failure of heart and lungs and eventually death.

Without the daily requirement of carbohydrates our energy levels will be down and we will lack the fuel that our bodies need for a productive day. Carbs will diversify itself into sugars like glucose and galactose which is spread throughout body as energy. We all need energy but athletes need even more of it just to keep up with the rigorous training that they endure.

As a diabetic we always need to monitor our sugar intake whether it is too much or simply not enough. Carbohydrates play an important part in this monitoring process especially since it is a major producer of sugar which is eventually converted into glucose. Depending on which level of diabetes you been diagnosed with your doctor will issue you with a carefully planned diet that includes a balanced carb diet.

Cholesterol is a major concern for individuals with cardiac issues whether immediate or hereditary and because carbohydrates are a known contributer when it comes to increasing your triglycerides which causes a dangerous chain reaction that can result in cardiac problems down the road it needs to be monitored. Although the relationship between cholesterol and carbs is not immediately clear to the average person, we do need to be concerned about it.

Because of its sugar producing qualities a diet that is high in carbohydrates will usually be frowned upon by people trying to lose a few extra pounds. While we should reduce our carb intake while seeking to shed those pounds we need to remember that carbohydrates also produce energy which is needed to exercise so we should weigh the advantages carefully before we decide on how many carbs we will allow into our bodies.

In our quest to reduce carbohydrates from our diet we end up throwing out the good with the bad. Liquid carbs are probably one of the worst to endure because they are the hardest to get rid of but if you are looking to adjust your carb intake always consider natural carbs first.