Minerals

Minerals are often called MICRONUTRIENTS because they are needed in small amounts. In human nutrition at least 18 minerals are important. Minerals are not produced by plants and animals; that’s why we call them inorganic elements. Like vitamins, minerals function as coenzymes. Minerals, after they have been absorbed, become part of the structure of the body – of the cells, enzymes, hormones, muscles, blood, and bones. Minerals belong to two groups: the macro minerals (bulk), and the micro minerals (trace). Macro minerals are required in larger amounts than are micro minerals. The macro minerals include: calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. The micro minerals are: zinc, iron, copper, manganese, chromium, selenium, iodine, potassium, and boron.

Minerals are stored in different parts of our body. First of all, in bones and muscle tissue. Together with vitamins, minerals function as components of body enzymes. Our bodies need minerals and vitamins to maintain proper composition of bones and blood. We need minerals and vitamins to maintain normal cell function. Minerals are vital to our mental and physical well being. Minerals start biological reaction in our bodies. Our body can not metabolize vitamins without the help of minerals.

Mineral-insufficiency and trace-element-insufficiency states are actually more likely to occur than are vitamin-insufficiency states. Those at increased risk of such insufficiencies include people who eat low calorie diets, the elderly, pregnant women, people on certain medications (such as diuretics), vegetarians and those living where the soil is deficient in certain minerals. Vitamins are usually present in foods in similar amounts throughout the world, but this is not true of the minerals and trace elements. Because of differing geologic conditions, minerals and trace elements may be scarce in the soils of certain regions and rich in those of other regions. The soil of South Dakota, for example, is very rich in selenium, while the soil in certain parts of China and New Zealand is very poor in this element. Thus, you can live in some areas, eat a perfectly "balanced" diet and still develop mineral deficiencies or trace-element deficiencies that can only be averted through dietary change or supplementation.

There is increasing evidence that those whose nutritional status is suboptimal in certain trace elements, such as selenium, for example, may be at greater risk for certain forms of cancer and heart disease. Suboptimal intake can be due to factors other than soil depletion. These factors are as diverse as the effects of acid rain and the over refining, over processing of foods.

Our vulnerability to even minute dietary imbalances in minerals can be appreciated by comparing, to begin with, our daily mineral intake (about 1.5 grams) with our total intake of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids (about 500 grams). Thus our mineral intake represents only about 0.3 percent of our total intake of nutrients, yet they are so potent and so important that without them we wouldn't be able to utilize the other 99.7 percent of foodstuffs and would quickly perish. Our total daily intake of zinc accounts for only 0.003 percent of our total nutrient intake. So it becomes easier to see how even what would seem to be a tiny decrease in zinc intake can have enormous negative impact on health, especially if that decrease persists.

There has been a strong tendency on the part of some dietetic and other medical professionals to discourage people from taking more than the RDAs (Recommended Daily Allowances) of minerals and vitamins, which can be obtained, they say, in the typical American diet. Unfortunately, numerous studies have shown, repeatedly, that many, possibly most, Americans are not getting the RDAs for the minerals in their daily diets. Supplementation, therefore, seems advisable, particularly since, except in a few medical conditions.

Evidence is accumulating from recent studies that mineral/ trace-element supplementation may help prevent various forms of cancer, heart disease and some other degenerative processes. More of these studies need to be done. The impact prudent supplementation may have on medicine may turn out to be enormous.

Finally, for the purists, it is herewith noted that although the trace elements are classified as inorganic nutrients, some of the dietary delivery forms of the inorganic elements are structures in which the element is bound to a carbon-containing molecule. This is true of selenium and chromium.

There are following minerals

• boron
• calcium
• chromium
• copper
• dolomite
• iodine
• iron
• magnesium
• manganese
• molybdenum
• phosphorus
• potassium
• selenium
• silicon
• sodium
• sulfur
• vanadium
• zinc

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