11.12: Minerals
- Page ID
- 84078
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Like vitamins, minerals are a diverse group of substances. Minerals are also similar to vitamins because they must be obtained in the diet since the body cannot make them, they must be eaten regularly since gradual loss depletes the body's limited reserves, and specific disorders often accompany deficiencies or excesses of each mineral. See the videos "Vitamins and Minerals" (https://blausen.com/en/video/vitamins-and-minerals/) and "Overview of Vitamins and Minerals" (https://blausen.com/en/video/overview-of-vitamins-and-minerals/).
Minerals are different from vitamins in that some minerals (e.g., calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium) must be obtained in large quantities. In addition, though some minerals (e.g., zinc, magnesium, copper, selenium) assist certain chemical reactions, many others form parts of body compounds and structures. Phosphorus in DNA and calcium in bones are examples.
See Facts About Individual Minerals.
For detailed information about minerals, go to https://www.biologyofhumanaging.com/tblmnrls - true.htm . (Suggestion 250.02.01)
Deficiencies and Excesses
Common among the elderly, the causes of mineral deficiencies are essentially the same as those of vitamin deficiencies. Several types of mineral deficiencies result from inadequate absorption. Many other mineral deficiencies develop because of excess mineral elimination resulting from diarrhea, kidney malfunction, or medications that increase mineral elimination by the kidneys. Deficiencies in calcium lead to weak bones; deficiencies in iron lead to anemia, weakness, and reduced immune system functioning; and deficiencies in zinc lead to slow healing, decreased immune system functioning, poor taste perception, and male impotence; deficiencies in selenium prevent certain enzymes from eliminating free radicals.
The most common mineral excess may be sodium excess from ingesting foods containing salt, which is added to improve flavor. An excess salt intake promotes water retention and therefore increases blood pressure. Other mineral excesses result from consuming diets high in specific minerals or from ingesting mineral supplements.
As with vitamins, slight to moderate deficiencies or excesses in minerals may cause only vague and nonspecific symptoms and subtle adverse changes in the body.