Minerals
Vitamins and Minerals go Together
The human body requires many minerals for its proper sustenance. These minerals are required in small quantities, but they can make a great difference to the growth and development that a person undergoes. There are several minerals that the body requires, but some of the most common ones are calcium, phosphorus, iron, iodine, sodium, potassium and magnesium.
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Some of the minerals are required in large quantities. These are known as macronutrients. Phosphorus and sulfur are included in this category along with other elements such as carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen. These are not exactly minerals but they are still elements that the body requires in large amounts for its survival. They are mostly taken in through food and respiration.
On the other hand, there are some minerals that are required by the body in small quantities. These are the ones that are known as micronutrients. These minerals include calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, fluorine, iodine, etc., all of which are required in trace quantities. The functions of some of these minerals are stated below:-
- Calcium – Calcium is required for the proper development of bones and teeth. Without calcium, there can be problems in the body such as slow metabolism . Calcium accelerates the rate of metabolism so that the body functions effectively. The energy rich molecule, ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is also produced because of the intervention of calcium.
- Iron – Iron is important as it is the carrier of oxygen in the form of hemoglobin. It helps in the proper functioning of muscles. It is also responsible for the proper metabolism of fats and proteins and the oxidation of carbohydrates in the body.
- Iodine – Iodine is essential for the proper physical and mental growth in the body. A deficiency of iodine is responsible in the formation of a condition known as goiter, in which the thyroid glands of the person get enlarged.
- Fluorine – Fluorine is needed for the proper mineralization of bones and teeth. It helps in the absorption of calcium on these parts of the body so that they become stronger. That is the reason why dentists insist on using fluoride toothpastes.
- Sodium/Potassium – These are required in combination in the human body to establish a proper water balance. In this ratio, the amount of sodium needs to be higher and that of potassium, lower.
Both vitamins and minerals are nutrients that the body requires. Both help the body’s development to be healthy by providing their own individual contributions. For the body to be healthy, it is important that the person take in the right amounts of these nutrients, because both their excess as well as their deficiency can cause disease conditions.
Because of the hectic conditions of today’s times, many people feel that they cannot take these nutrients adequately through food. That is the reason there are mineral supplements and vitamin mineral supplements . These products supplement minerals and vitamins in the body which the normal diet of the person does not give. However, the studies of whether a mineral supplement is really useful for the body or not is still going on.
For people who are maintaining their body’s weight, such supplements could be a good solution. They give them the required nutrients without giving them any additional calories. Thus, they can maintain a watch over their daily calorie counter in a much better manner. In any case, it is important to have a healthy balanced diet and exercises in order to keep the body fit and healthy; simply supplements cannot achieve this task.