Minerals are inorganic substances essential for the body’s health. Minerals are essential nutrients that perform many functions in the body, including:
- Building bones and teeth: Calcium helps build strong bones and teeth.
- Muscle and nerve function: Magnesium is important for muscles and nerves.
- Water balance: Minerals help regulate the body’s water balance.
- Hormones and enzymes: Minerals are components of hormones and enzymes.
- Growth and development: Iron is needed for growth and development.
- Metabolism: Phosphorus is involved in many metabolic processes.
- Absorbing iron: Copper is needed to absorb and use iron.
- Regulating the body: Iodine is used to make hormones that help regulate other parts of the body.
Some specific minerals and their functions include:
- Calcium: Helps build strong bones and teeth.
- Magnesium: Important for muscles and nerves.
- Iron: Used to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells.
- Zinc: An essential element of nutrition that is present in all tissues.
- Phosphorus: Commonly associated with calcium because they are found together in bone structures.
- Copper: An important trace element for human nutrition.
- Iodine: Used to make hormones that help regulate other parts of the body.
- Manganese: An essential nutrient that the body requires to function properly.
Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8840645/
https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/minerals.html
https://www.watsons.com.ph/ascorbic-acid-zinc-dayzinc-100-mg-10-mg-oral-drops-syrup/p/BP_50005975
https://www.rxlist.com/manganese/generic-drug.htm
https://www.drugs.com/inactive/magnesium-hydroxide-149.html
https://medlineplus.gov/iron.html
https://www.paulaschoice.com/ingredient-dictionary/ingredient-copper-gluconate.html
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/low-iodine-diet
https://www.veterinariadigital.com/en/articulos/importance-of-minerals-in-animal-nutrition/