INDRODUCTION

What are minerals?

If the word “mineral” makes you think of rocks, you’re

right! Minerals are substances like calcium, phosphorus,

iron, and zinc that are found in rocks and the soil. They

also are needed for optimal nutrition. There are 16 different

minerals that are known to be needed in our diets. Several

other minerals may be needed in very small amounts.

Minerals are elements that originate in the soil and cannot be created by living

things, such as plants and animals. Yet plants, animals and humans need minerals in

order to be healthy. Plants absorb minerals from the soil, and animals get their minerals

from the plants or other animals they eat Most ofthe minerals in the human diet come

directly from plants, such as fruits and vegetables, or indirectly from animal sources.

Minerals may also be present in the drinking water, but this depends on the location of

the source of water, and the kind of water taken for drinking. Minerals from plant

sources may also vary from place to place, because the mineral content ofthe soil varies

according to the location in'which the plant is grown

What are the different types of minerals?

Minerals are grouped as macrominerals and trace minerals.
Macrominerals are those found in larger quantities in the

body and needed in larger amounts in the diet. Calcium

and phosphorus are two of the seven macrominerals that

we need in our diets.

Trace minerals are found in small quantities in the body

and are needed in small amounts in the diet. We need to

include nine trace minerals in our diets, including iron and

zinc.

What do minerals do in the body?

Minerals also work to regulate many body processes.

Sodium and potassium are important to nervous system

function. The trace mineral selenium works with vitamin E

as an antioxidant, preventing cells from being damaged by

oxygen.

Where are minerals found in

foods?
All of the food groups have foods rich in minerals. For

example,

· Milk is a good source of calcium, and

· Red meatis rich in iron and zinc. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of potassium.

· Whole grains are rich in magnesiumand selenium.

· Nuts and seeds are sources of copper andmanganese.

 · It’s important to eat a variety of foods from each of the food groups in order to get all of the
minerals in your diet.

PLANT FOOD ANIMAL FOOD

· Some minerals are not easily absorbed Some minerals are easily absorbed

eg) Iron & Zinc eq) Iron & Zinc

They are important sourse of many minerals They lack some minerals

Should I take supplements to get the

minerals I need?
It is possible to get all the minerals you need by making

healthy food choices from all of the food groups in MyPlate

(see ChooseMyPlate.gov). But there are some situations

where supplements may be needed:

• Women in their childbearing years may find it hard to get

all the iron they need from food.

• People who are allergic to milk may have a hard time

getting enough calcium.

• Pregnant women should ask their physicians about the

supplements that are right for them.

Sometimes taking a mineral supplement such as iron causes

gastrointestinal upset. If this occurs, try taking the supplement before bed, or use a slow-release
supplement.
1. Minerals in food

Minerals are inorganic substances, present in all body tissues and fluids and their

presence is necessary for the normal life processes [2, 3]. There are three main needs for

minerals, viz.,

(i) Building strong bones and teeth,

(ii) Controlling body fluids inside and outside the cells and,

(iii) Converting the food taken into energy.

Classification of minerals
Minerals constitute the residue that remains as ash after the combustion of plant

and animal tissues. They may be divided into

• macro (major) elements,

• micro (trace) elements and

• ultra-trace elements

The macro-minerals include calcium, phosphorus, sodium and chloride, while the

micro-elements include iron, copper,- cobalt, potassium, magnesium, iodine, zinc,

manganese, molybdenum, fluorine, chromium, selenium and sulfur [4]. The macrominerals are required
in amounts greater than 100 mg/dl or > 50 mg/day and the micro1

minerals are required in amounts less than 100 mg/dl or < 50 mg/day [5, 6]. The ultra

trace elements include boron, silicon, arsenic and nickel which have been found in

animals and are believed to be' essential for these animals. Evidence for requirements

and essentialness of others like cadmium, lead, tin, lithium and vanadium is weak [7].

Trace elements are present in human body in very low amount, usually less than 1

micro-gram per gram ofthe tissues

Classification ofTrace elements

Trace elements can be divided from a dietary point ofview into three groups:

a) The essential trace elements (micronutrients), e.g.; Cr, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo

and I, which are constituents of hormones, vitamins and enzymes for the

metabolic processes in the cells and they function at low concentrations in living

tissues.
b) The possibly essential trace elements, e.g. Mn, Si, Ni, B, V, and Sn

c) The non-essential trace elements F, As, Cd, Pb, A1 and Hg, which are considered

potentially toxic, and have no metabolic functions in the living organisms

Role of Trace Elements