Minerals why are they important

Credits Current as of: December 17, Top of the page Next Section: Related Information. Previous Section: Related Information Top of the page. Current as of: December 17, Needed for proper fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction. Meats, milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes. Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, processed foods including soda pop. Occurs in foods as part of protein: meats, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, legumes, nuts.

Found in thyroid hormone, which helps regulate growth, development, and metabolism. Seafood, foods grown in iodine-rich soil, iodized salt, bread, dairy products.

Legumes, nuts and seeds, whole grains, organ meats, drinking water. Involved in formation of bones and teeth; helps prevent tooth decay. Drinking water either fluoridated or naturally containing fluoride , fish, and most teas.

Unrefined foods, especially liver, brewer's yeast, whole grains, nuts, cheeses. Legumes; breads and grains; leafy greens; leafy, green vegetables; milk; liver.

Aren't minerals something you find in the earth, like iron and quartz? Well, yes, but small amounts of some minerals are also in foods — for instance, meat is a good source of iron. Like vitamins , minerals help your body grow and stay healthy. The body uses minerals to to many things — from building strong bones to sending nerve impulses. Some minerals are even used to make hormones or maintain a normal heartbeat. Calcium is the top mineral when it comes to your bones.

This mineral helps build strong bones, so you can do everything from standing up straight to scoring that winning goal. It also helps build strong, healthy teeth , for chomping on tasty food.

The body needs iron to make hemoglobin say: HEE-muh-glo-bun. Table salt, soy sauce; large amounts in processed foods; small amounts in milk, meats, breads, and vegetables. Important for healthy bones and teeth; helps muscles relax and contract; important in nerve functioning, blood clotting, blood pressure regulation, immune system health. Milk and milk products; canned fish with bones salmon, sardines ; fortified tofu and fortified soy beverage; greens broccoli, mustard greens ; legumes.

Important for healthy bones and teeth; found in every cell; part of the system that maintains acid-base balance. Found in bones; needed for making protein, muscle contraction, nerve transmission, immune system health. Nuts and seeds; legumes; leafy, green vegetables; seafood; chocolate; artichokes; "hard" drinking water. The body needs trace minerals in very small amounts.

Note that iron is considered to be a trace mineral, although the amount needed is somewhat more than for other microminerals. Part of a molecule hemoglobin found in red blood cells that carries oxygen in the body; needed for energy metabolism. Organ meats; red meats; fish; poultry; shellfish especially clams ; egg yolks; legumes; dried fruits; dark, leafy greens; iron-enriched breads and cereals; and fortified cereals.

Part of many enzymes ; needed for making protein and genetic material; has a function in taste perception, wound healing, normal fetal development, production of sperm, normal growth and sexual maturation, immune system health.

Works closely with insulin to regulate blood sugar glucose levels. Other trace nutrients known to be essential in tiny amounts include nickel, silicon, vanadium, and cobalt. Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.