The term “minerals” refers to elements in their simple inorganic form. In nutrition they are commonly referred to as mineral elements or inorganic nutrients.
Minerals are vital to health. Like vitamins and amino acids, minerals are essential for regulating and building the trillions of living cells which make up the body. Body cells receive the essential food elements through the bloodstream. They must, therefore, be properly nourished with an adequate supply of all the essential minerals for the efficient functioning of the body.
Minerals help to maintain the volume of water necessary to life processes in the body. They help draw chemical substances in to and out of the cells and they keep the blood and tissue fluid from becoming either too acidic or too alkaline.
The mineral elements which are needed by the body in substantial amounts are calcium, phosphorous, iron, sulphur, magnesium, sodium, potassium and chlorine. In addition, the body needs minute amounts of iodine, copper, cobalt, manganese, zinc, selemium, silicon, flourine and some others.