We all know that vitamins and minerals are important for good health, but which do we need, what exactly do they do, and what’s the best way to make sure we’re getting enough?Part of the Q&A Health Guides series, this book offers a broad introduction to vitamins and minerals—a health topic that is often shrouded in confusion and misinformation. The book profiles the vitamins and minerals we need, explaining what each one does in the body, how much is required for optimal health, and what happens when we don’t get enough. Questions also address concerns such as whether it’s better to get these key substances from food or supplements, how to gauge the quality of supplements, and whether high doses of certain vitamins can treat a variety of health conditions, from hangovers to cancer. Vitamins and Minerals: Your Questions Answered synthesizes the vast field of nutritional science into a compact and easy-to-digest volume. Augmenting the main text, a collection of 5 case studies illustrate key concepts and issues through relatable stories and insightful recommendations. The Common Misconceptions section at the beginning of the volume dispels 5 long-standing and potentially dangerous myths about vitamins and minerals, directing readers to additional information in the text. The glossary defines terms that may be unfamiliar to readers, while the directory of resources curates a list of the most useful books, websites, and other materials. Finally, whether they’re looking for more information about this subject or any other health-related topic, readers can turn to the Guide to Health Literacy section for practical tools and strategies for finding, evaluating, and using credible sources of health information both on and off the internet.
