Mineral Functions to Know for Intro to Nutrition

Minerals play vital roles in our bodies, supporting everything from bone health to energy production. Understanding their functions helps us appreciate how they contribute to overall nutrition and well-being, making them essential for a balanced diet.

1. Calcium: Bone and tooth formation, muscle contraction, nerve function

   • Essential for the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth.
   • Plays a critical role in muscle contraction, allowing muscles to function properly.
   • Necessary for nerve transmission, helping to send signals throughout the body.

2. Iron: Oxygen transport in blood, energy production

   • Key component of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in red blood cells.
   • Supports energy production by facilitating the conversion of nutrients into energy.
   • Important for overall cellular function and metabolism.

3. Sodium: Fluid balance, nerve impulse transmission

   • Regulates fluid balance in the body, helping to maintain blood pressure.
   • Crucial for the transmission of nerve impulses, enabling communication between nerves and muscles.
   • Aids in nutrient absorption in the intestines.

4. Potassium: Muscle function, heart rhythm regulation

   • Vital for proper muscle function, including the contraction and relaxation of muscles.
   • Helps maintain a healthy heart rhythm by regulating electrical activity in the heart.
   • Supports fluid balance and helps counteract the effects of sodium.

5. Magnesium: Enzyme activation, bone health, energy metabolism

   • Acts as a cofactor for over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body.
   • Contributes to bone health by aiding in calcium absorption and metabolism.
   • Plays a role in energy production and the synthesis of proteins.

6. Zinc: Immune function, wound healing, protein synthesis

   • Essential for a healthy immune system, helping to fight off infections.
   • Promotes wound healing by supporting cell growth and repair.
   • Involved in protein synthesis, crucial for growth and development.

7. Phosphorus: Bone formation, energy metabolism, acid-base balance

   • Major component of bones and teeth, working closely with calcium.
   • Plays a key role in energy metabolism as part of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
   • Helps maintain acid-base balance in the body, ensuring proper pH levels.

8. Iodine: Thyroid hormone production, metabolism regulation

   • Essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism.
   • Supports proper growth and development, particularly during pregnancy and infancy.
   • Deficiency can lead to thyroid-related disorders, such as goiter.

9. Selenium: Antioxidant function, thyroid hormone metabolism

   • Acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from oxidative damage.
   • Plays a role in the metabolism of thyroid hormones, supporting thyroid function.
   • Important for immune system health and may reduce inflammation.

10. Copper: Iron metabolism, connective tissue formation

    • Essential for the absorption and utilization of iron in the body.
    • Plays a role in the formation of collagen and elastin, important for connective tissue health.
    • Supports cardiovascular health by aiding in the maintenance of blood vessels.