Vitamins and mineral elements1

Abstract

The history of the discovery of vitamins and essential minerals has been reviewed, including particularly significant findings from the seventeenth to the late twentieth century. Current knowledge of functions, absorption, metabolism, and dietary sources of 4 fat-soluble vitamins, 9 water-soluble vitamins, and 15 mineral elements required by humans and many animals is included. Quantitative requirements for these nutrients at various ages, physiological states, levels of physical activity, and environmental circumstances are regularly revised based on new data. Ranges of currently recommended allowances for these nutrients in human diets are presented.