Comprehensive Definition of Mineral Supplements

Required for Health

This article offers a definition of mineral supplements, including both regular minerals and trace minerals and their functions within the body.

Boron - Boron is a trace mineral that helps calcium be absorbed by the body.

Calcium - Calcium is mostly stored in the bones and teeth, and used by these for structure. Calcium also has functions in the clotting process, nerve transmission, muscle stimulation, the function of the parathyroid hormone, and the metabolism of vitamin D. Calcium is a large molecule, and to get the amounts you need in supplemental form, its best to take a separate calcium supplement.

Chlorine - Chlorine is essential to the body's processes, and is usually found with the mineral sodium, as in sodium chloride. Chlorine helps with the acid-alkaline balance in the blood, and is involved in the process that allows fluid to pass in and out of cells. It also stimulates the stomach's production of hydrochloric acid, which is involved in the digestion of protein and fibrous food. It helps distribute hormones, stimulates the liver to filter wastes, and is involved with joints and tendons.

Chromium - Chromium is part of carbohydrate metabolism, being part of glucose tolerance factor (GTF) with niacin and amino acids. It stimulates enzymes that metabolize glucose for energy and synthesize fatty acids and cholesterol. It supports insulin's ability to process excessive amounts of glucose, and may be involved with the synthesis of protein.

Cobalt - Cobalt is part of vitamin b12. It's needed for the red blood cells to function normally, as well as being involved with some enzymes. Cobalt must be supplied by the diet, and it is found in meat, figs, cabbage, spinach, watercress, some seafood such as clams and oysters, and milk.

Copper - Copper is involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. It is also involved with the production of collagen and noradrenalin. It is a blood antioxidant and prevents polyunsaturated fats from going rancid. It is part of many enzymes that either break down or build tissue, in healing processes, and in protein metabolism. Copper also has many other functions, including bone formation, the production of RNA, the oxidation of vitamin C and the creation of elastin, and the synthesis of phospholipids.

Fluorine - Fluorine is not considered to be essential to humans, though it is present in the body. It may be beneficial in trace form, but too much can be harmful. In excess, it is not good for brain tissue, and inhibits important enzymes.

Iodine - Iodine is a trace mineral that helps the functioning and development of the thyroid gland, as well as being part of thyroxine, the main hormone secreted by the thyroid gland. It regulates the body's production of energy, encourages growth and development, stimulates the rate of metabolism, as well as many other processes that involve the smooth functioning of the thyroid gland and a normal level of thyroxine.

Iron - Iron is involved in the transport of oxygen in the blood, the oxidation of fatty acids, collagen synthesis, a cofactor in neurotransmitter synthesis for serotonin, dopamine and noradrenalin. Iron supplementation is usually unnecessary unless a blood test by the doctor indicates otherwise due to the fact that this mineral is well stored by the body. If you feel you are iron deficient, get this verified by your doctor first. Otherwise you may get iron toxicity.

Magnesium - Some of magnesium's roles in the body include protein and nucleic acid synthesis, urea formation, vascular tone, the transmission of muscle impulses, neurotransmission and activity, and the electrical stability of cells. Within cells,it is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, and helps regulate the acid-alkaline balance.

Manganese - Manganese has an antioxidant role in the body, activates various enzymes that are involved with choline, biotin, thiamine, and ascorbic acid. It also involved as a catalyst for fatty acid synthesis, cholesterol, and mucopolysaccharides. Manganese is a trace mineral that has many other functions, including sex hormone production, healthy nerves and brain functioning, the immune system, and the formation of blood.

Molybdenum - Molybdenum is part of two enzymes involved in electron transport - xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidase. The first enzyme helps move liver reserves and is involved in changing iron to the ferric form. The second enzyme is involved in the oxidation of fats. Molybdenum is also involved with copper and nitrogen metabolism, normal cellular function, and making urine.

Nickel - Nickel is an activator of some enzymes, such as arginase, trypsin, and carboxylase (the liver), and it may be involved in glucose metabolism. It may be involved as a stabilizer of DNA and RNA, as well as being a factor in the metabolism of hormones, lipids, and membranes.

Phosphorus - Phosphorus is often associated with calcium in the body, and is present in every cell. It plays a part in the body's use of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and is used within and outside of cells. It stimulates muscle contractions, helps niacin and riboflavin be absorbed, is involved with nucleoproteins, helps strengthen bones and teeth, and is required for both the kidneys and nerve impulses. With lipids, it helps transport fats and fatty acids, helps the acid-alkaline balance in the blood, is involved with the secretion of glandular hormones, mental activity, healthy nerves, and is required by the B vitamins and a lot of enzymes to be used by the body.

Potassium - Potassium is the positive ionic element in intracellular (within the cell) fluid. With sodium, potassium helps regulate the balance of water in the body which ensures fluids are at the right level within and outside of cells. It regulates the alkalinity in the body's fluids, is involved with the transfer of nutrients into cells, chemical actions within the cells, and the transmission of electrical impulses. Potassium is also involved with enzymes required for normal growth, with phosphorus supplies the brain with oxygen, with calcium regulates neuromuscular activity, is involved with synthesizing muscle protein, nucleic acids, blood proteins, keeps the skin healthy, and blood pressure stable. It also helps in the conversion of glucose to glycogen, helps normalize the heartbeat with sodium, and ensures the kidneys eliminate wastes.

Selenium - Selenium is possibly best known for its antioxidant effects, and helps preserve the elasticity of tissues. It helps with longevity and optimal bodily functioning, and is used to prevent many diseases through supporting health. It can protect cell membranes, is involved with the production of antibodies, binding toxic metals such as mercury, normal growth and fertility, ensures enough oxygen to certain cells such as heart cells, and the production of prostaglandins.

Silicon - Though not an essential trace mineral, it is needed for the connective tissues of the body, blood vessels, nails, skin and hair. It is required for the utilization of calcium supplements, and is an important factor in osteoporosis. It helps prevent cardiovascular disease, and protects against the toxic effects of aluminum.

Sodium - Sodium works with potassium in maintaining the acid-alkaline balance in the blood, and the water balance within and outside cells; as well as in muscle contraction and nerve stimulation. It is required by amino acids to move across cell membranes, keeps the other blood minerals soluble, helps improve the health of blood and lymph tissue with chlorine, helps in the removal of carbon dioxide from the body, and helps digestion through the production of hydrochloric acid.

Strontium - Strontium (not the radioactive strontium 90) is an essential trace mineral that is not wholly understood in terms of its effects within the body. But it is thought to be required for bone growth, preventing tooth decay, and protective of the energy producing parts within cells.

Sulfur - Sulfur is good for hair, skin and nails. It is found in two of the B vitamins (thiamin and biotin), and in the amino acids methionine, cystine, and cysteine, plus other molecules within the body. It disinfects the blood, stimulates bile production, helps detoxify toxic substances like sulfuric acid, has an important association with protein, is important for collagen synthesis, and is part of keratin, and hence important for hair, skin and nails. It is also in insulin, and carbohydrates like heparin which is an anticoagulant. Sulfur is involved with tissue respiration, and in various aspects of metabolism and nerve health, with thiamine, pantothenic acid, biotin, and lipoic acid.

Tin - Tin is an essential trace mineral but its functions are not really known. This article has information on tin, both in terms of benefits and possible toxicity.

Vanadium - Vanadium is another mineral which is not fully understood in relation to the human body. it is thought to be important for health, and may be able to reverse diabetes. It inhibits cholesterol synthesis, so may be able to prevent heart disease, and it is also needed for bones, teeth and cartilage, as well as cellular metabolism.

Zinc - Zinc is an essential trace mineral that is present in all tissues. It helps support the immune system, and is involved in the production of energy. It can increase men's sex drive, and has been found to stop the development of blindness in the elderly. It helps vitamins be absorbed and used by the body - especially the B vitamins. It is also part of many enzymes used in the digestive process. Zinc is part of insulin, and burns.

As can be seen from this definition of mineral supplements, the body requires a complex balance of many nutrients to maintain good health.

Source: The Nutrition Almanac by G Kirschmann and J Kirschmann.