Minerals

By : Michelle Mercado RN,MANc

 Minerals
Minerals are essential nutrients that are needed in small amounts (4% of body
weight) to keep you healthy. While they don’t give your body energy or
calories, they do help with other essential functions. For example, minerals
help:

• Maintain blood pressure, fluid, and electrolyte balance

• Bone health
• Make new cells
• Deliver oxygen to cells
• Contribute to normal muscle and nerve functions
 2 Main Categories of Minerals

Major Minerals Trace Minerals

• Chromium
• Calcium
• Copper
• Chloride
• Fluoride
• Magnesium
• Iodine
• Phosphorus
• Iron
• Potassium
• Manganese
• Sodium
• Molybdenum
• Sulfur
• Selenium
• Zinc
 Major Mineral: CALCIUM
This is the most abundant mineral in the body. It’s most known for
its role in building strong bones and teeth, as well as preventing
osteoporosis. Calcium is also essential for:
• Muscle contraction
• Nerve transmission
• Iron utilization
• Blood coagulation
• Pain relief
• Regulates the passage of nutrients in and out of cells
 CHLORIDE
Your body needs chloride to form gastric juices
(hydrochloric acid) that are secreted in the stomach. This
mineral also works alongside sodium to help keep your
body fluid in balance.
 MAGNESIUM
This mineral is required for more than 300 biochemical
reactions in the body, including:
• Muscle contraction
• Nerve impulses
• Blood sugar control
• Regulation of blood pressure
• Immune system health
 PHOSPORUS
Phosphorus is important for healthy bones and teeth. It also
facilitates the production of proteins, which are needed for
growing, maintaining, and repairing cells.
 POTASSIUM
This macronutrient is necessary for heart health. While its
primary function is to keep fluids balanced in blood and
tissues, it’s also required for:
• Nerve impulse function
• Muscle contraction
• Controlling blood pressure
 SODIUM
Sodium plays an essential role in keeping the fluids and
electrolytes in our bodies balanced. It also helps:
• Regulate blood pressure
• Assist with acid-base balance
• Aid in muscle contraction
• Assist with transmission of nerve signals
 SULFUR
Sulfur is an essential part of many amino acids, which are
the building blocks of proteins. It keeps the blood clean and
healthy, as well as promotes a healthy immune system.
Good Source of Major MINERAL
 Trace Minerals
Chromium
This trace mineral is needed for the
normal functioning of insulin to
regulate blood sugar (glucose)
levels. It’s also essential for the
metabolism of carbohydrates,
proteins, and fats
Copper
This mineral is a component of many
enzymes, and assists with:
• Energy production
• Iron metabolism and transport
• Healthy connective tissue
• Making of hemoglobin
 Trace MINERALS
FLUORIDE
Fluoride is known for its
involvement in the formation of
bones and teeth, as well as
preventing tooth decay.
IODINE
Iodine is critical in the formation of
thyroid hormones T3 (triiodothyronine)
and T4 (thyroxine). These help regulate
growth, development, and metabolism.
Inadequate production of T3 and T4 can
cause goiters (enlargement of the thyroid
gland).
 IRON MANGANESE
Iron is a vital component of
hemoglobin, which is found in red blood This trace mineral not only helps in
cells and carries oxygen throughout the the formation of enzymes, but it’s
body. This mineral is part of many also necessary for their activation. IT
proteins and enzymes, which makes iron works as an antioxidant, helps
essential for: develop bones, and heals wounds by
• Growth
increasing collagen production
• Healing
• Immune function
• Synthesis of DNA
A lack of dietary iron depletes iron
stores in the body and can eventually
lead to iron deficiency anemia.
 MOLYBDENUM
Molybdenum functions as a
cofactor, which means it aids
enzymes in triggering
chemical reactions. More
specifically, this mineral
helps your body break down
amino acids.
SELENIUM ZINC
The major function of zinc is as a
cofactor in numerous enzymes. It’s
Selenium is a main component
also key for:
of antioxidants, and therefore
• Normal growth and sexual
protects the body against free
maturation
radicals. It’s also required for • Immune system health and
immune function and the wound healing
synthesis of thyroid hormones. • Taste and smell perception
• Neurological functions
• Making protein and genetic
material
• Fetal development
Good Source of Trace
Minerals
Thank You