Show The body requires a number of minerals in order to maintain its proper functioning. The minerals are used for a variety of physiological processes such as building blood and bone, making hormones, regulating heartbeat, and more. There are two types of minerals. Macrominerals are needed in large amounts. Trace minerals are needed in very small amounts. The macrominerals are calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, and sulfur. The trace minerals are iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, fluoride, and selenium. CalciumCalcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. It is used structurally, to build bones and teeth, and also as a messenger in cell signaling. In addition to forming the primary structure of our body, the bones also serve as a calcium reserve in case of dietary deficiency. Dietary calcium is therefore extremely important to prevent loss of bone. Calcium balance is maintained by parathyroid hormone. The US recommended daily allowance of calcium is 1000-1200 mg/day for adults. Calcium Rich Foods - Image Credit: Shutterstock PhosphorusPhosphorus forms a part of the bones in the form of the mineral hydroxyapatite. It is also used in cell membranes, and is part of the energy molecules, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP). DNA and RNA also contain phosphate. The RDA of phosphorus is 700 mg for adults. Phosphorus is abundant in most food sources. MagnesiumMagnesium is widely used by the body for metabolic processes. Some of its main functions include energy production, synthesis of biomolecules, and as a structural component of cell membranes and chromosomes. Magnesium is also used in ion transport, cell signaling, and cell migration. The RDA for magnesium is 400-420 mg for men and 310-320 mg for women. Sodium and chloride are critical life-sustaining minerals. Sodium chloride (salt) is a required part of the diet. With potassium, sodium and chloride maintain charge gradients across cell walls. Sodium helps to maintain proper blood volume and blood pressure. Most adults require between 1.5 and 3.8 grams of sodium chloride per day. In addition to acting as an electrolyte in the body, potassium also functions as a cofactor for a number of enzymes. Low potassium levels can be dangerous, resulting in fatigue, muscle cramps, and abdominal pain. Adults need about 4.7 grams of potassium per day. SulfurSulfur is an important component of two amino acids, cysteine and methionine, that are used in most proteins of the body. Because sulfur is abundant in nature, it is not usually classed as a required nutrient in the diet. IronIron is used in red blood cells to carry oxygen to the tissues, and is also a critical component of many metabolic proteins and enzymes. Related StoriesIron is found in the body in the form of heme iron and non-heme iron. Heme iron is bound within a ring-like molecule called porphyrin. Heme iron is present in red blood cells. Non-heme iron such as iron-sulfur cluster proteins are used in energy production and other metabolic functions. The RDA of iron for men is 8 mg, for women 18 mg, and for pregnant women 27 mg. ManganeseThe functions of manganese include antioxidant activity in the mitochondria, assisting enzymes in metabolism, bone development, and wound healing. Adequate daily intake of manganese is 2.3 mg for men and 1.8 mg for women. Deficiency of manganese can lead to osteoporosis, diabetes, and epilepsy. CopperCopper is a cofactor for certain enzymes involved in energy production, connective tissue formation, and iron metabolism. Copper deficiency can be caused by poor nutrition, poor absorption, or excessive zing intake. The US RDA of copper is 800 micrograms for adults. Copper is found in shellfish, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Iodine is a critical mineral in the body. It is a component of the thyroid hormone and is required for normal thyroid function. Iodine is found naturally in seafood, dairy products, grains, eggs, and poultry. Additionally, in the US and many other countries, salt is fortified with iodine to prevent deficiencies in the population. Iodine deficiency can cause brain damage, mental retardation, hypothyroidism, goiter, and other health problems. The US RDA of iodine is 150 micrograms. ZincZinc plays multiple roles in the body. It is involved in many cellular metabolic processes and is used in growth and development, the immune system, neurological function, and reproduction. It also forms a structural part of cell membranes and is a component of the zinc finger proteins, which act as transcription factors. The US RDA for zinc is 11 mg for men and 8 mg for women. CobaltCobalt is present in the body as a part of vitamin B12, which is involved in manufacture of blood cells and nervous system function. FluorideFluoride hardens tooth enamel and stabilizes the mineral in bones. Natural sources of fluoride include tea, fish consumed with the bones, and some fruit juices. However, the major source of dietary fluoride in the US is fluoridated drinking water. The average fluoride intake per day in areas with fluoridated drinking water is 1.4 to 3.4 mg. In areas without fluoridated water, it is 0.3 to 1 mg per day. SeleniumSelenium functions in the body in the form of selenoproteins, which have many metabolic functions. The US RDA for selenium is 55 micrograms. Foods rich in selenium include Brazil nuts, tuna, oysters, pork, beef, chicken, whole wheat bread, and milk. Deficiency of selenium does not usually result in obvious clinical illness, but may contribute to Keshan disease and Kashin-Beck disease. SourcesLast updated Feb 27, 2019 Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:
A healthy balanced diet containing a variety of foods should provide all the vitamins your body needs to work properly. There are 2 types of vitamins, fat-soluble and water-soluble. Fat-soluble vitaminsFat-soluble vitamins are mainly found in foods that are high in natural fat - such as dairy, eggs and oily fish. You don't need to eat these types of food every day to get enough of these vitamins. Every time you eat these foods your body stores them in your liver and body fat for future use. Fat-soluble vitamins include:
Vitamin AVitamin A (also known as retinol) has several important functions, including:
Good sources of vitamin A include:
Vitamin DVitamin D helps to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, important for bone, teeth and muscle health. Vitamin D is made by our skin from sunlight and is also found in small amounts in some foods. Good sources of vitamin D include:
Since vitamin D is found in only a small number of foods. In Scotland everyone over the age of 5 should consider taking a supplement with vitamin D, especially over the winter. Therefore, everyone aged over one year - including pregnant and breastfeeding women - should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D. Between April and September, the majority of people aged 5 years and above will probably get enough vitamin D from sunlight when they are outdoors. They might choose not to take a vitamin D supplement during these months. Some population groups (with very little or no sunshine exposure) will not obtain enough vitamin D from sunlight and are at greater risk of vitamin D deficiency. This includes:
These people should take a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms vitamin D throughout the year. Given the uncertainty of consistent sunshine in Scotland and the risks of exposing infants 0-6 months to the sun, it may be advisable for pregnant and lactating women to take a daily supplement throughout the year. Staying safe in the sunIn Scotland, 10 to 15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure is safe for all. After sunscreen is correctly applied, vitamin D synthesis is blocked. Staying in the sun for prolonged periods without the protection of sunscreen increases the risk of skin cancer. Vitamin EVitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps to:
Good sources of vitamin E include:
Vitamin KVitamin K is important for healthy bones and blood clotting, an essential part of healing. Good sources of vitamin K include:
Water-soluble vitaminsUnlike fat-soluble vitamins, you need to consume water-soluble vitamins more often. Your body can't store these for future use and gets rid of any excess when you pass urine. Water-soluble vitamins include:
They're found in:
Being water soluble, these vitamins can be lost or destroyed through heating, dissolving or exposure to air. To keep as many of these as possible, choose to steam or grill these foods instead of boiling (unless you're making soups or stews with the liquid). Vitamin CVitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) helps to:
Vitamin C is found in a wide variety of fruit and vegetables. Good sources include:
Vitamin B1 (thiamin)Thiamin is also known as vitamin B1. It helps the other B vitamins to break down and release energy from food and keep your nervous system healthy. Thiamin is found in most types of food. Good sources include:
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)Riboflavin is also known as vitamin B2. It helps to keep your skin, eyes and nervous system healthy and release energy from the food you eat. Good sources of riboflavin include:
Vitamin B3 (niacin)Niacin is also known as vitamin B3. It helps to release energy from the foods you eat and keep your skin and nervous system healthy. There are 2 forms of niacin – nicotinic acid and nicotinamide – both of which are found in food. Good sources of niacin include:
Pantothenic acidPantothenic acid helps to release energy from the food we eat. It's found naturally in most meats, vegetables and wholegrains, including:
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)Pyridoxine is also known as vitamin B6. It helps the body to:
Good sources of vitamin B6 include:
Vitamin B7 (Biotin)Biotin is also known as vitamin B7 and is only needed in small amounts. It helps your body process (metabolise) fat. As the bacteria in your bowel make biotin, you may not need any additional biotin from your diet. However, it's still important to eat a healthy and varied diet. Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 helps your body:
Good sources include:
Vitamin B12 is not found naturally in plants and grains. If you're vegan, you should consider taking a B vitamin supplement to reduce the risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia. Folic acidFolic acid (also known as folate) works with vitamin B12 to form healthy red blood cells. It can also help to reduce the risk of central nervous system defects - such as spina bifida - in unborn babies. Good sources of folic acid include:
If you don't have enough folic acid in your diet you're at risk of developing folate deficiency anaemia. More about folic acid before and during pregnancy |