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All About Minerals

To be healthy the human body not only requires a range of minerals but they must be present in the correct amounts. Minerals are inorganic elements which strengthen bones and teeth, help maintain a healthy immune system, and also aid vitamins in doing their work.

Some minerals are required in relatively large amounts (macrominerals) and some only in tiny quantities (microminerals).

Macrominerals

The minerals required in larger quantities are :- calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium.

Microminerals

The minerals required in very small quantities are :- chromium, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, sulphur and zinc.

The microminerals that are needed only in minute amounts such as iodine, manganese and selenium are called trace elements. Since most of the trace elements are in a wide variety of foods, anyone eating normally should not be deficient in them.

Mineral Defficiency

For a short period of time the the human body is able to maintain its own mineral balance. During times when the intake of minerals is too low, the body can use the reserves stored in the muscles, the liver and even the bones.

Excess of Minerals

If the body is receiving too many minerals the excess is normally excreted so there is no problem. However, there could be a problem if the excess is very large, for example, if large quanties of mineral supplements are taken.

In recent years it has been realised that minerals play as important a part as minerals in having a healthy body. Just as with vitamins a deficiency of a particular mineral can lead to a disease with the appearance of a set of symptons which develop over a period of time.