Minerals, in Nutrition

Minerals are vital nutrients, active in the body in a variety of unique ways, ranging from enzymatic reactions to forming compounds essential to proper metabolism, as well as guiding hormones and acting as antioxidants. There are numerous minerals, which are nutritionally divided into two groups: (1) major (macro) minerals and (2) trace (micro) minerals. Because they are elements from the Earth, minerals maintain their singularity; they can neither be synthesized by the body nor can they be destroyed by heat or acid or exposure to air or other mediums. This entry describes the functions of minerals in the human body, mineral deficiencies, and fortification efforts.

The mineral content of food depends on the richness of the soil or feed that produced that food. Changes in agricultural ...