Frequently asked questions and answers about minerals! article image

Frequently asked questions and answers about minerals!

What are the different minerals?

There are many different minerals that are necessary for our bodies to function properly. Minerals are usually divided into minerals and trace elements. Minerals are a type you need more of and trace elements are something you need less of.

Minerals include:

  • Calcium – a mineral that plays a significant role in bone and dental health, among other things.
  • Magnesium – a mineral needed for, for example, energy production and muscle and nerve function.
  • Sodium – a mineral that, among other things, regulates fluid balance and helps maintain blood pressure.

Trace elements include:

  • Iron – which is crucial for oxygen transport in the body.
  • Zinc – which plays a significant role in the immune system.
  • Selenium – which acts as an antioxidant.
  • Iodine – which is necessary for the production of thyroid hormone and regulates metabolism.

These, and all other minerals, are important for our bodies to function and stay healthy. To get all the minerals, it is important to have a varied and balanced diet.

What are the most important minerals?

All minerals are important because they contribute to different functions in our bodies. We need more of some minerals, while we need less of those called trace minerals. However, trace minerals are still just as important for the body to function.

What are minerals examples?

Minerals are a number of inorganic substances that make up a small part of your body, but are essential for it to function. Different minerals perform different functions, for example, magnesium and calcium help control your movements because they contribute to normal muscle function.

Zinc and selenium are two of the minerals that act as antioxidants and help protect your cells against oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a chemical imbalance in the body that occurs when your body produces too much harmful oxygen, or when substances that can cause damage are taken into the body, such as cigarette smoke.

What do minerals do in the body?

Minerals are essential for a variety of biological processes in the body. For example, minerals support bone and dental health, nervous system and muscle function, and your fluid and electrolyte balance.

Minerals like iron ensure that oxygen is transported in the body and calcium is involved in blood clotting when you bleed. Zinc and selenium are two minerals that play a role in immune system function and iodine is needed to produce thyroid hormones.

There are very small inorganic substances that play a significant role in the functioning of our bodies.