Minerals – what are they and which function do they have in our bodies?
Our body is made up of about 20 different elements, the elements carbons, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen are building blocks in almost all organic substances. Connected in different ways it makes up water, protein, carbs, fats and vitamins. Sodium, potassium, chloride and phosphates are a part of all our bodily fluids. Several different minerals are components in our bodies and are needed for different functions.
In order to function and feel good, our body needs minerals. They are needed in small amounts but are vital for our survival. Minerals, unlike some vitamins which our body produces in smaller amounts, we must get through the food we eat or what we drink since out body cannot produce on its own. Read more about the minerals, how much we need daily and where to fins them here to the right.
There are totally 15 essential minerals and additional 6 possibly essential elements, that has not yet been cleared what their function in our bodies are. The essential minerals are divided in macroelements and microelements. If we have a daily need higher than 100mg of an element, that element is considered to be a macroelement, and if the need is below this, then the element is considered to be a microelement.
The essential macroelements are
- Calcium (Ca): build and maintains, together with physical activity and vitamin D, a strong skeleton, also needed for blood coagulation and muscle function.
- Phosphorus (P): needed for the formation of bones and teeth, for the acid balance and energy production in our bodies.
- Sulfur (S): important for, among other things, oxidation reduction, our joint and muscle health, also an important component in collagen and creatine.
- Sodium (Na): needed to regulate blood volume and kidney unction, and the pH-value in our bodies.
- Potassium (K): needed for normal muscle function, regulation of blood pressure, water balance and acidity in our bodies.
- Magnesium (Mg): necessary for growth, energy production and interaction between nerve and muscle cells, as well as activating enzymes.
- Chlorine (Co): beneficial for our nervous system and brain, and regulates the blood’s acid/base balance.
The essential microelement are:
- Iron (Fe): is part of the hemoglobin that transports oxygen in our bodies and its also a part enzymes.
- Copper (Cu): a part of oxidation enzymes and participates in the metabolism of iron.
- Manganese (Mn): participates in the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids.
- Zinc (Zn): a part of several enzyme systems such as in the production of protein, use of carbohydrates, repairs of skeleton and also as a defense against free radicals.
- Molybdenum (Mo): included in enzymes that participates in the metabolism of, among other things, uric acid.
- Selenium (Se): interacts with vitamin E, is a part of enzymes that protects our cells from oxidations and is a part of our immune defense mechanisms.
- Iodine (I): included in thyroid hormones that regulate out metabolism.
- Cobalt (Co): important part of vitamin B12, together they are needed for blood formation.
And the possibly essential elements are:
- Fluorine (F)
- Chromium (Cr)
- Silicon (Si)
- Nickel (Ni)
- Vanadium (V)
- Boron (B)