HomeNutrition ScienceNutrients, Food and IngredientsMinerals and trace elements

Key points:

1-Minerals are inorganic substances required by the body in small amounts for a variety of different functions
2-Minerals are involved in the formation of bones and teeth; they are essential constituents of body fluids and tissues; they are components of enzyme systems and they are involved in normal nerve function.
3-The body requires different amounts of each mineral; people have different requirements, according to their age, sex, physiological state (e.g. pregnancy) and sometimes their state of health.
4-The Department of Health has published Dietary Reference Values (DRVs) for minerals for different groups of healthy people.
5-What are minerals?
6-Requirements and recommended dietary intakes; bioavailability and absorption of minerals; deficiencies and excess intakes
7-Calcium
8-Phosphorous

1-Magnesium
2-Sodium
3-Potassium
4-Iron
5-Zinc
6-Iodine
7-Fluoride
8-Copper
9-Selenium
10-Manganese
11-Chromium and other trace elements.