Minerals

Minerals are substances that our bodies need in small amounts to develop and function normally. Several minerals are essential for the body. They include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, iron, zinc, iodine, sulfur, cobalt, copper, fluoride, manganese, and selenium. Pregnant and breastfeeding women also need specific minerals and vitamins for their health.

Ideally, you consume nutrient-rich foods that contain sufficient high-quality minerals. Far too often, however, people do not get enough high-quality minerals from the foods they consume due to insufficient nutritional quality.

Essential minerals are divided up into major minerals (macrominerals) that are needed in large quantities and trace minerals (microminerals) that are needed in trace amounts. Major minerals include sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and sulfur. Trace minerals include iron, zinc, iodine, selenium, copper, manganese, fluoride, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and cobalt.

Essential minerals are necessary for major body functions such as proper fluid balance, nerve transmission, muscle contraction, maintaining healthy bones and teeth, helping muscles relax and contract, nerve functioning, blood clotting, blood pressure regulation, immune system health, taste perception, wound healing, normal fetal development, production of sperm, normal growth and sexual maturation, immune system health, preventing tooth decay and regulating blood sugar levels.