Minerals Explained
Nutrition Explained, How Natural Minerals Affects Your Body and Fitness
Minerals are chemical compounds. When talking about nutrition, natural minerals are chemical elements that are essentially for your body similar to water and food in general. Minerals are actually needed by the body to be fit and healthy because they support you basic functionality.
Your essential minerals can be obtained by eating various natural food products that contain natural minerals of good quality, so you should seek more natural food sources than the alternatives. Minerals can also be consumed as supplements to your diet, when and if your diet does not have the sufficient amounts of the essential minerals.
Minerals and Nutrition Explained
Natural minerals are primarily found naturally in food. As an example, calcium is naturally found in milk. Potassium is found in bananas. When your body has a deficiency of a certain mineral, then getting it from a natural source may not yield the best results. In such a case, food fortified with minerals may have to be consumed. (eg: orange juice fortified with calcium).
Minerals can also be taken as dietary supplements in the form of tablets, syrups, or powder form. Such supplements must be taken only when prescribed by a doctor.
Natural Sources of Minerals That You Can Include in Your Diet
- Calcium: Calcium is needed for healthy growth of bones and teeth. Calcium also needed for a good heart health. Milk and milk products like cheese and yoghurt are high in calcium. Broccoli and leafy greens like kale are also rich in calcium. Cereals and orange juice can have fortified calcium to meet dietary needs.
- Iodine: Iodine is needed for the effective functioning of the thyroid gland. Absence of iodine can cause goitre. Salt is fortified with iodine to ensure the body gets sufficient iodine.
- Iron: This is one of the most important minerals the body needs. Iron is needed for the growth of red blood cells. Deficiency can cause anaemia. Iron is found in oysters, white beans, beef liver, dark chocolate, spinach, beets, and kidney beans. Iron deficiency may call for taking iron supplements.
- Magnesium: Magnesium is needed for enzyme reactions to take place and to regulate blood sugar and blood pressure. It is found in nuts, beans, spinach, and avocado. Rice, potatoes, and bread also has magnesium.
- Potassium: Potassium regulated fluid balance and is needed for the kidney’s effective functioning. Potatoes, bananas, carrots, cantaloupe, and tomatoes can be included in the diet to ensure the body gets sufficient potassium.
- Zinc: Zinc is needed to regulate taste and smell, zinc is an important trace mineral. It is found in beans, poultry, oysters, chickpeas, cheese, and cashews.
- Selenium: This trace mineral helps boost immunity. It is an antioxidant and needed by the body. It is found in seafood, eggs, brown rice, and cereals.
- Chromium: This is yet another trace mineral that is needed for effective regulation of blood sugar. It is found in broccoli, grape juice, garlic, and potatoes.
It’s important to include natural mineral sources in food so your body gets the natural nutrients it needs to be fit and healthy.
Why Minerals are so Important in a Low Carb Diet
Learn more about the Minerals in this article:
Iron, Good sources of iron – by NHS National Health Service
Iodine – Uses, Side Effects, and More – by WebMD
Magnesium Supplements – by WebMD
Calcium | The Nutrition Source – by HARVARD – School of Public Health
Calcium and calcium supplements – by Mayo Medical Education & Research
Potassium | The Nutrition Source – by HARVARD – School of Public Health
Zinc | The Nutrition Source – by HARVARD – School of Public Health
Chromium – Uses, Side Effects, and More – by WebMD
Selenium | The Nutrition Source – by HARVARD – School of Public Health
