Minerals, similar to vitamins, are the key components to keeping our bodies running healthy and tough. Amongst the most prominent minerals is sodium, but that isn’t to say that there aren’t others that we consider completely indispensable; such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. Consuming these minerals is a vital necessity for our daily diet and of so much importance that even the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture ) states, not all adults are getting the proper nutrition they need.
The need for these minerals, better recognized as mineral salts should be routinely consumed as part of our daily diet because the body cannot manufacture them by itself. Depending on some key factors like; the physical and intellectual activity of the person, their health status, eating habits, consumption of tobacco, coffee or alcohol is how we can determine how much we should be consuming.
Here we outline some of the key mineral salts you should be consuming daily and why:
CALCIUM: 98% stored in the bones and teeth. It is found essentially in dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese.
MAGNESIUM: Involved in the synthesis of proteins, the transmission of nervous influx and muscle contraction. We find it in cereals, nuts, legumes, dark chocolate, and whole wheat bread.
POTASSIUM: Acts in conjunction with sodium to influence muscle contractions, highlighting the heart. Potassium is present in legumes, fish, meat, dark chocolate and specifically highlighted in bananas.
IRON: Helps the respiration of all cells, transporting oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the organs and stores oxygen in the muscles. We find it in cocoa, shellfish, egg yolks, legumes, nuts, and cereals, however, it is not easily absorbed by the body.
PHOSPHORUS: Acts directly in the production of energy and in the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. All foods contain phosphorus.
The importance of mineral consumption is to remember that not only do we require it for the right nutrition and health, but it is the foundation on to which we can start building a better life… Not to mention that without these minerals, other nutrients aren’t able to function correctly.