Vitamins and Minerals: Types, Sources and their Functions

The aim of this chapter is to summarize key literature findings regarding the role of micronutrients, mainly vitamins and minerals in health and disease. Various studies have investigated the effects of dietary patterns on the nutritional status and have concluded that unhealthy eating increases the risk of malnutrition. The prevalence of malnutrition is higher in low- and middle-income countries as compared to high-income countries. Current literatures highlight a direct association between dietary factors and disease occurrence and that a healthy diet helps in the prevention of a myriad of diseases.