Overview of minerals

[Little_Girl]

Minerals are necessary for the normal functioning of the body’s cells. The body needs relatively large quantities of

Calcium
Chloride
Magnesium
Phosphate
Potassium
Sodium

These minerals are called macrominerals. Bone, muscle, heart, and brain function depends on these minerals.
The body needs small quantities of

Chromium
Copper
Fluoride
Iodine
Iron
Manganese
Molybdenum
Selenium
Zinc

These minerals are called trace minerals. Except for chromium, all trace minerals are incorporated into enzymes or hormones required in body processes (metabolism). Chromium helps the body keep blood sugar levels normal. It is not clear whether chromium should 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 as manganese and molybdenum disorders) are very rare or may not exist.

[Zipporah Schumaker]

Six macrominerals are required by people in gram amounts.

Four cations: Sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium
Two accompanying anions: Chloride and phosphorus

Daily requirements range from 0.3 to 2.0 g. Bone, muscle, heart, and brain function depend on these macrominerals.
(See also Water and Sodium Balance.)
Nine trace minerals (microminerals) are required by people in minute amounts:

Chromium
Copper
Fluorine
Iodine
Iron
Manganese
Molybdenum
Selenium
Zinc

Dietary guidelines for trace minerals have been determined (see table Guidelines for Daily Intake of Trace Minerals). All trace minerals are toxic at high levels; some minerals (arsenic, nickel, and chromium) may be carcinogens. It is not clear whether chromium should be considered an essential (required) trace element (1).
Trace mineral deficiencies (except for iodine, iron, and zinc) do not often develop spontaneously in adults on ordinary diets; infants are more vulnerable because their growth is rapid and intake varies. Trace mineral imbalances can result from hereditary disorders (eg, hemochromatosis, Wilson disease), kidney dialysis, parenteral nutrition, restrictive diets prescribed for people with inborn errors of metabolism, or various popular diet plans.