		cylive.com \| help \| tour \| contact \| sign in \| join Cylive
	Content Categories Community

Food Nutrients / Minerals Essential for the Human Body

Filed in: Health and Fitness

Tagged with food, nutrition, health, nutrients, wellness,minerals, human, body, mineral, chemical, micro, macro, trace, composition, elemental, elements

Last Modified Dec 23, 2007 at 07:21 PM EST by Muscles

Viewed 14259 time(s)

Rated by 9 Cylivers

This is the list of essential minerals that the human body is composed of. In general, minerals which make up more than 0.01% of total body weight are termed "macrominerals."

The group of chemical elements that are found in minute amounts in the body (yet are vital for life and health), i.e., less than 0.01% of body weight, are called "microminerals" or "trace minerals."

Viewed 14259 times	Commented 4 times
rate this content	Email This!	Add to my favorites Print or Export	Flag as inappropriate Subscribe to RSS Feed
	Search : show filter

1 2 Next [2 Total ] »

Type	Component	Source(s)	Benefits
Macrominerals	Calcium	Major dietary sources include: Milk, cheese, Yogurt, almonds, Tofu, collard greens, soybeans, dried figs, parsley, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds.	Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body. It is a major ingredient of human bone and teeth. It is needed for other vital body functions - such as muscle contraction, regulatin... Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body. It is a major ingredient of human bone and teeth. It is needed for other vital body functions - such as muscle contraction, regulating heartbeat, release of neuro-transmitters, and activation of enzyme systems. It also necessary for cell division and for prothrombin activation (which helps convert fibrinogen to fibrin).	view
Macrominerals	Chlorine	Primary source is common salt. It is also contained in vegetables, olives, tomatoes and celery.	Chlorine is an important constituent of human digestive juices. It is needed to maintain the body's acid-base balance. Along with Sodium, it helps generate the osmotic pressure of body flui... Chlorine is an important constituent of human digestive juices. It is needed to maintain the body's acid-base balance. Along with Sodium, it helps generate the osmotic pressure of body fluids. It MAY also be helpful in allowing the liver to clear waste products.	view
Macrominerals	Magnesium	Dark green vegetables are good sources of Magnesium along with most nuts, seeds, legumes, soy products, avocado, apricot etc. Whole grains, particularly wheat, millet and brown rice are also good s... Dark green vegetables are good sources of Magnesium along with most nuts, seeds, legumes, soy products, avocado, apricot etc. Whole grains, particularly wheat, millet and brown rice are also good sources.	Magnesium is a natural tranquilizer - it relaxes skeletal muscles. Magnesium is considered important in preventing coronary artery spasms, a significant cause of heart attacks. It is also believed ... Magnesium is a natural tranquilizer - it relaxes skeletal muscles. Magnesium is considered important in preventing coronary artery spasms, a significant cause of heart attacks. It is also believed to dilate blood vessels. It is also an intracellular nutrient. It activates enzymes that are important for protein and carbohydrate metabolism. It is also needed in DNA functioning and for modulating the electrical potential across cell membranes (which allows nutrients to pass back and forth).	view
Macrominerals	Phosphorus	Meats, fish, chicken, turkey, milk, cheese and eggs are all good sources of Phosphorus.	Like calcium, phosphorus is found in all cells and is involved in some way in most biochemical reactions (including but not limited to utilization of carbohydrates and fats for energy production). ... Like calcium, phosphorus is found in all cells and is involved in some way in most biochemical reactions (including but not limited to utilization of carbohydrates and fats for energy production). Along with calcium, it is critical for bone and teeth formation. It also plays an important role in protein synthesis for the growth, maintenance, and repair of all tissues and cells. Phosphorus also helps the kidney function and acts as a buffer for acid base balance in the body. It aids muscle contraction, including the regularity of the heartbeat. It is also supportive of proper nerve conduction.	view
Macrominerals	Potassium	Leafy, green vegetables such as spinach, parsley, lettuce as well as broccoli, peas, lima beans, tomatoes and potatoes (particularly the skin) are rich in potassium. Other sources are fruit... Leafy, green vegetables such as spinach, parsley, lettuce as well as broccoli, peas, lima beans, tomatoes and potatoes (particularly the skin) are rich in potassium. Other sources are fruits such as oranges, bananas, apples, raisins, apricots, nuts, whole grains, seeds, fish and meats also contain potassium.	Along with Sodium, Potassium regulates the water balance and the acid-base balance in blood and tissues. In nerve cells, sodium-potassium flux generates the electrical potential that aids the condu... Along with Sodium, Potassium regulates the water balance and the acid-base balance in blood and tissues. In nerve cells, sodium-potassium flux generates the electrical potential that aids the conduction of nerve tissues. Potassium is also important for cellular biochemical reactions and energy metabolism. It participates in the synthesis of protein from amino acids in the cell. Potassium is functions in carbohydrate metabolism and is active in glycogen and glucose metabolism. It is important for normal growth and for building muscle.	view
Macrominerals	Sodium	Sodium is found in beef, seafood, poultry, and many vegetables. Processed foods are typically rich in sodium.	Along with potassium, sodium helps regulate fluid and acid-base balance of the body. It enables muscles to contract and nerve impulses to be conducted. Sodium is also important for hydrochlo... Along with potassium, sodium helps regulate fluid and acid-base balance of the body. It enables muscles to contract and nerve impulses to be conducted. Sodium is also important for hydrochloric acid production in the stomach and is used during the transport of amino acids from the gut into the blood. Excess sodium in the diet can lead to hypertension.	view
Macrominerals	Sulfur	It is naturally found in protein foods - meats, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, legumes. It is also found in onions, garlic, cabbage, brussels sprouts, nuts, lettuce, kale, raspberries, etc.	As part of four amino acids, sulfur performs a number of functions in enzyme reactions and protein synthesis. It is necessary for formation of collagen, the protein found in connective tissue in ou... As part of four amino acids, sulfur performs a number of functions in enzyme reactions and protein synthesis. It is necessary for formation of collagen, the protein found in connective tissue in our bodies. It is present in keratin, which is necessary for the maintenance of skin, hair, and nails. Sulfur, as cystine and methionine, is part of other important body chemicals such as insulin, which helps regulate carbohydrate metabolism and heparin, which is an anti-coagulant. Sulfur is important for cellular respiration (in the oxidation-reduction reactions). This aids brain functions and all cell activity.	view
Macrominerals	Silicon	It is found in rich quantities in oats, rice, sugar beet, alfalfa, lettuce, cucumbers, strawberries, onions, and dark greens. The pectin in citrus fruits and alginic acid in kelp also contain small... It is found in rich quantities in oats, rice, sugar beet, alfalfa, lettuce, cucumbers, strawberries, onions, and dark greens. The pectin in citrus fruits and alginic acid in kelp also contain small amounts of silicon.	Silicon promotes firmness and strength in body tissue. It is part of the arteries, tendons, skin, connective tissue and eyes. Collagen, which helps hold the body together, contains silicon. ... Silicon promotes firmness and strength in body tissue. It is part of the arteries, tendons, skin, connective tissue and eyes. Collagen, which helps hold the body together, contains silicon. Silicon is also thought to radiate or transmit energy in its crystalline structure. It is also believed to help in the elimination of body toxins.	view
Microminerals	Chromium	Brewer's yeast, beef, liver, whole wheat, rye, fresh chillies, oysters, potatoes, green peppers, eggs, chicken, apples, butter, bananas, spinach, black pepper, etc. are all good sources of chromium.	Chromium enhances the effect of insulin in the body and is thus needed for carbohydrate metabolism. Chromium recently has been shown to lower blood cholesterol while mildly raising HDL. This... Chromium enhances the effect of insulin in the body and is thus needed for carbohydrate metabolism. Chromium recently has been shown to lower blood cholesterol while mildly raising HDL. This lowers the risk of coronary artery disease.	view
Microminerals	Cobalt	Meat, liver, kidney, clams, oysters and milk contain some cobalt. Land vegetables such as legumes, spinach, cabbage, lettuce, and figs contain small amounts of cobalt.	As part of vitamin B12, cobalt is essential to red blood cell formation.	view

1 2 Next [2 Total ] »

Comments

MachoMan, May 31, 2008 at 09:45 PM EDT said:
Very useful information!
susanph, Apr 20, 2008 at 07:43 PM EDT said:
minerals also help give you healthy looking skin

View all 4 comments

Comment on this content

Food Nutrients

List of food nutrients

Related Stuff

The basics of protein for human body
A little protein 101...
Major Amino and Nucleic Acids in Human Body
Amino acids are organic chemicals containing carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen. They constitute the primary structure of proteins and are essential for human growth and development. Most of them a...
Nutritional Value of Common Fruits
Any dietician will tell you that you need to eat lots of fruits and vegetables everyday. Reason: Fruits and vegetables are typically high in fiber, low in fat, rich in vitamins and minerals...in short...
Amazing Human Body Part Records
Some of these pictures might gross you out...these records are in the Guinness Book...
Interesting Trivia About the Human Body
Which is the strongest muscle in the human body? Can you kill yourself by holding your breath?
Read on to learn the answers to these questions and much more!...
Several Interesting Facts About the Human Body
Did you know that a fetus acquires fingerprints when 3 months old? Or, that every square inch of the human body consists of twenty feet of blood vessels!!
Amazing stuff like that!!...
Major Body Building Muscles
There are approximately 650 skeletal muscles in the human body. The major skeletal (voluntary) muscles are provided here. The muscles in this list are the ones critical for body-building....
Vitamins Vital for the Human Body
Vitamins are food substances that assist essential biochemical reactions within your body. All the 13 vital vitamins are listed below. The list also provides information on the natural sources of each...
Some Terrific Body Painting Art with Nude Women
Check these out..unconventional, and creative...celebrates the female human body!...
Human Physiology in Mixed Martial Arts?
The MMA Zone has put together a series focusing on science of physiology in mixed martial arts. I feel that physiology is the most important �ology� an athlete can know, together with th...

User-created content, unless source quoted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Public Domain License