Minerals as the Nutrient

A balanced diet has enough minerals. Extra mineral supplements may be required in certain cases. Preterm (low birth weight) babies need calcium, phosphorus, salt, and vitamin D. Iron supplements may also be administered. The RDAs specify the amount of each mineral necessary for healthy growth, pregnancy, and nursing (RDA). The Food and Nutrition Board, an official US government entity, compiled the data in this table. Minerals include inorganic nutrition. In other words, they are nutrients that are vital for growth and health yet do not include carbon. A person’s diet must include enough minerals to keep them healthy.

What are Minerals?

Minerals are chemical elements that organisms need to survive. However, the four basic structural components (oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen) are seldom listed as important nutrition minerals (nitrogen is considered a “mineral” for plants, as it often is included in fertilisers). Major minerals (macrominerals) and small minerals (sometimes termed trace elements) make up the remaining 4% of the body’s weight.

Various Types of Minerals

The many varieties of Minerals may be roughly categorised into two groups known as micro minerals and macro minerals.

Micro minerals- microminerals are also called trace minerals that are essentially required for the human body. Some of the microminerals like- iron, iodine, manganese, zinc, cobalt are trace elements found in food. If the micro minerals are consumed excessively, they might induce mineral poisoning that can lead to multiple health difficulties, including nausea, diarrhoea, discolouration, etc.

Macro Minerals: The body requires macro minerals in huge requirements. Sulfur, salt, calcium, chloride and magnesium are instances of macrominerals. These are the minerals required for the digestion and typical working of the human body. Since we can’t make these parts, we should get them from different sources, like food and enhancements. Human immunity is affected when macro minerals are insufficient in the body.

Importance of the Minerals

Diet experts and experts normally recommend adopting a healthy diet rich in all the essential minerals since food containing minerals is the greatest source of major minerals for our bodies. Iodised salt has a lot of iodine, and oranges have a lot of calcium, which is good for our bones. Numerous biochemical events occur during digestion, one of the most compelling reasons for ensuring enough mineral intake. The correct intake of a few particular minerals has proved crucial in promoting optimum health.

Functions of Minerals

Minerals are naturally occurring chemical elements that are present in the earth. Erosion decomposes rocks and sand into smaller particles and sand grains to create soil. Plants take up the minerals subsequently switched on to herbivores who consume the plants. Humans feed plants and herbivores to receive the essential mineral requirements. A healthy body requires a variety of minerals for a variety of functions, including maintaining the right balance of bodily fluids such as blood and the development of tissues, muscles, neurons, and bones. They also play a crucial role in maintaining healthy nerve function, controlling muscle tone, and supporting a healthy cardiovascular system.

Their Biochemical Functions include:

• Energy production

• Growth

• Healing

• Proper use of vitamins and other nutrients

Adverse effects of consuming too much mineral

Consumption of excessive minerals in the body might contribute to particular disorders inside the body. Constipation and renal disease may result from consuming too much calcium. Vomiting, heart difficulties, renal malfunctions, and diarrhoea may occur if you consume too much zinc. The excess sodium in the blood cells enhances the risk of stroke and heart-related disorders such as Hypernatremia. Impotence, infertility, cardiovascular disease, and liver disease are linked to an excess of iron in the diet.

Conclusion

Your body can’t function properly without the minerals it gets from your diet. Minerals are essential for many bodily functions, including bone, muscle, heart, and brain health. Among other things, minerals are involved in synthesising enzymes and hormones inside the human body. Most individuals can get the minerals they need from a wide range of meals. Your doctor, in certain instances, may prescribe a mineral supplement. The quantity of a particular mineral ingested may need to be reduced in certain cases. Renal illness patients should avoid foods rich in potassium, for example.