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Minerals: What Do They Do For Our Health?

Minerals are chemical elements that are needed for the proper functioning of our bodies.

They are usually supplied through the natural food chain

when plants take them from the ground and incorporate them into organic compounds, which we then get when we consume the plant (or an animal that ate the plant).

This natural cycle ensures that we get what we need, when we need it.

The important minerals that our bodies need are:

1. Calcium is necessary for healthy bones and teeth and helps in the clotting of blood. Calcium is also responsible for balancing other minerals in the body, and helps the body use iron better.

2. Phosphorus is important to health bones and teeth, and is important for metabolic functions that are related to the brain and nerves. It is also important for the production of energy in the body.

3. Iron is responsible for forming oxygen-carrying hemoglobin that is found in red blood cells, and is essential to healthy muscle functioning and enzyme reactions for energy.

4. Iodine is the mineral that is important for normal physical and mental growth and development. It is also a part of lactation and reproduction.

All of these minerals can be found in varying degrees in the foods we eat. Some of the most mineral rich foods are�

1. Calcium is found in abundance in dairy products, plants and seafood.

2. Phosphorus is found in fruits like bananas, apples and oranges. It is also found in soybeans, nuts and vegetables such as potatoes, garlic and tomatoes.

3. Iron is found in abundance in figs, eggs, liver, apricots, chiku and green, leafy vegetables.

4. Iodine is found in seafood, seaweed and iodized salt.

Although eating a well balanced diet will go a long way to ensuring that you get all of the minerals needed to maintain good health, many researchers are now saying that it may not be enough.

The soil where our food grows is being depleted of minerals and as a result our foods are not as mineral rich as they once were. This could lead to a deficiency for some people that can cause a range of health problems.

If you�re concerned that you may not be getting enough minerals, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor about whether a supplement would be a good idea for you. There are good ones available on the market today.

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