Minerals
Have you ever noticed the emphasis made on vitamin and mineral ingredients in food? But when you particularly pay attention to minerals, you will realize that it is something that is not talked about in food but something that is associated to earth like quarts and iron.
Yes it is true, but a very small amount of some minerals can be found in food as well. For example, beef is considered to be a major iron source.
Vitamins and minerals are not very different when it comes to function. Both of their roles is to help your body grow, develop healthy and stay fit. Adequate amount of minerals in a body help the body to perform several functions efficiently, starting from transmitting nerve impulses to building healthier and stronger bones.
The importance of minerals for good health has become increasingly important in recent years due to several researches. Taking minerals in the form of food and supplements can help your body to fulfill the requirement to perform its tasks and functions.
Macro Minerals and Trace Minerals
Macro and trace are the two types of minerals. In Greek, ‘large’ is termed as macro (and your body needs a significantly larger amount of this mineral kind). The macro mineral group is comprised of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, sulfur and chloride.
While macro means large, trace is something that is usually referred for things in a small quantity. This is why the body requires tiny bits of trace minerals to fulfill its requirement. In fact, the correct quantities of these minerals are not yet determined by the scientists. Trace minerals include manganese, iron, copper, zinc, iodine, selenium and fluoride.
Calcium
When talking about the most important minerals for the body, calcium will be at the top of the list. Calcium is the major macro mineral that has several benefits for your bones. This mineral may help in building stronger bones and may give you the energy so you are able to perform all your daily tasks effectively.
You can find calcium in the following foods:
- Dairy products that include yogurt, cheese and especially milk.
- Sardines with bones and canned salmon.
- Green vegetables that is leafy for example broccoli.
- Calcium fortified foods such as cereals, orange juice and crackers.
Apart from relying on food to get the adequate amount of minerals, you can also look forward to some supplements to cater your mineral needs. |