disorders of nutrition
Overview of Minerals
Introduction
Minerals are necessary for the normal functioning of the body’s cells. The body needs relatively large quantities of Overview of Calcium's Role in the Body None Chloride Overview of Magnesium's Role in the Body None Overview of Phosphate's Role in the Body None Overview of Potassium's Role in the Body None Overview of Sodium's Role in the Body None These minerals are calledmacrominerals. Bone, muscle, heart, and brain function depends on these minerals. The body needs small quantities of Chromium Deficiency None Copper Deficiency None Fluoride Deficiency None Iodine Deficiency None Iron Deficiency None Manganese Molybdenum Selenium Deficiency None Zinc Deficiency None These minerals are calledtrace minerals. Except forchromium, all trace minerals are incorporated into enzymes or hormones required in body processes (metabolism).Chromiumhelps the body keep blood sugar levels normal. It is not clear whetherchromiumshould be considered an essential (required) trace element. Both macrominerals and trace minerals are harmful if too much is ingested. Minerals are an essential part of a healthy diet. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA)—the amount most healthy people need each day to remain healthy—has been determined for most minerals. People who have a disorder may need more or less than this amount. Consuming too little or too much of certain minerals can cause a nutritional disorder. People who eat a balanced diet containing a variety of foods are unlikely to develop a nutritional disorder or a major mineral deficiency, except sometimes for iodine, iron, or zinc. However, people who follow restrictive diets may not consume enough of a particular mineral (or vitamin). For example, vegetarians, including those who eat eggs and dairy products, are at risk of iron deficiency. Infants are more likely to develop deficiencies because they are growing rapidly (thus requiring larger amounts of nutrients for their size than adults). Consuming large amounts (megadoses) of mineral supplements without medical supervision may have harmful (toxic) effects. Some mineral disorders (such asmanganeseand molybdenum disorders) are very rare or may not exist. 