MINERALS

Did you ever notice how TV commercials for breakfast cereal always mention vitamins and minerals? But when you think of minerals, food isn't the first thing that comes to mind. 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, red meat, such as beef, is a good source of iron.
Just like vitamins, minerals help your body grow, develop, and stay healthy. The body uses minerals to perform many different functions — from building strong bones to transmitting nerve impulses. Some minerals are even used to make hormones or maintain a normal heartbeat.
Minerals and Their Function

Calcium	Builds bones and teeth, muscle contraction, heart action, nerve impulses, blood clotting
Magnesium	Bones, liver, muscles, transfer of intercellular water, alkaline balance, neuromuscular activity
Sodium	Electrolyte balance, body fluid volume, nerve impulse condition
Potassium	Cell membrane potential, nerve impulse conduction, heart rhythm, acid base balance
Copper	Hemoglobin formation, production of RNA, elastic tissue formation, cholesterol utilization, oxidase enzyme activator
Zinc	Protein synthesis, carbon dioxide transport, sexual function, insulin storage, carbohydrate metabolism, wound healing
Iron	Hemoglobin formation, electron transport, oxygen transport, enzyme activator
Manganese	Carbohydrate metabolism, protein metabolism, connective tissue, joint fluid production, nerve tissue, Vitamin B1 utilization
Chromium	Glucose utilization, insulin activity, heart muscle, cholesterol utilization
Phosphorus	Builds bones and teeth, energy production, acid-base balance, necessary in metabolism and cell membranes, calcium absorption
Molybdenum	Enzyme activator, uric acid formation, oxidative enzymes
Selenium	Peroxidase scavenger, glutathione peroxidase, anti-carcinogenic, Vitamin F synergist
Silicon	Bone formation, collagen formation, cartilage formation, elastic tissue
Boron	Reduces calcium loss
Vanadium	Strength of bones and teeth, lowers blood lipids, inhibits cholesterol synthesis
Tin	Growth, protein synthesis
Nickel	Activates some liver enzymes