MineralsEssay Preview: MineralsReport this essayMinerals are elements that originate in the Earth and cannot be made by living organisms. They are natural compounds formed through geological processes and are what remains as ash when plant or animal tissue is burned or decompose completely after death. Minerals are inorganic substances which means they are not formed by living matter and contain no carbon, and can be simply defined as chemical molecules which cannot be reduced to simpler substances. To be classified as a “true” mineral, a substance must be a solid and have a crystal structure. It must also be a naturally-occurring, homogeneous substance with a defined chemical composition.
As well as existing in their inorganic form in the Earth, minerals are the basic constituents of all matter, are part of living tissue, and constitute most of what we call elements, the basic building blocks of matter. Approximately 4% to 5% of the bodys weight is mineral matter, and most of this is in the skeleton. Minerals are also present in tissue protein, enzymes, blood, some vitamins, and so on. There are 92 naturally occurring elements on earth but only eight elements make over 98% of the minerals on the Earths crust. They are, in decreasing quantity, 1 oxygen, 2 silicon, 3 aluminium, 4 iron, 5 calcium, 6 sodium, 7 potassium, 8 magnesium. Approximately 112 minerals have been identified, and are listed on chemical charts called periodic tables.
Minerals are essential for good health and for growth and just the right amounts of minerals in our diets are necessary. Various minerals play important roles within our bodies and are constituents of the bones, teeth, soft tissue, muscle, blood, and nerve cells. They also act as catalysts for many biological reactions within the body, including, muscle response, the transmission of messages through the nervous system, and the utilization of nutrients in food. Minerals used in the body are classified as macro minerals and micro minerals. Macro minerals are macronutrients that are chemical elements. They include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, chloride, and sodium. These are dietary minerals needed by the human body in high quantities (generally
1,000)
so that the body is able to efficiently process and store these minerals. Minerals contain other nutrients but are not found in a food or milk form. It is important to note that dietary intake, dietary choice and lifestyle are all linked and can affect one’s health when consuming certain kinds of foods. Although some are safe and some are dangerous, their main benefit is that they are often consumed safely and effectively for the most part. Some are safe for children, people who want to be healthier or have serious health problems, and others do not have problems with certain supplements, vitamins, or minerals (see a list of health benefits for supplements here).
Other types of minerals will not have all of the benefits of minerals but may have a health benefit, although the results can vary. There are two main types of vitamins. Vitamins A and B are a type of minerals typically found in foods produced by animals (vegetation) and people. Their vitamin profile and bioavailability will determine the health benefit from a particular type of mineral you may find on a particular person. Another type of mineral that will provide health benefits is calcium and sodium. Studies show that vitamin A and/or calcium is high in the diet of those who suffer from kidney disease, but when ingested alone or with calcium supplements, such as vitamins A and D, calcium may block the effects of another vitamin such as a vitamin D deficiency.
Although there are no specific medical conditions that affect the mineral absorption of an amount listed here (e.g., kidney disease, high cholesterol), there are some very high risk factors and, therefore, it’s important to always remember the list of known risk factors and supplements to avoid problems during your health and in your physical activity. The recommended vitamin or mineral intake by the individual is determined by the diet it is served, by the type of foods that people eat, by their physical activity level, by their physical activity levels (even your own), and whether they have an intake of any nutritional supplement that causes the problem, even if it involves any natural source. These factors can range from an elevated level of calcium to excessive dietary saturated fats in processed meats. In most cases, high calcium (or any other dietary mineral) is the most frequent concern and a recommended intake of calcium is also always a step above the usual amount for all healthy adults. It’s important to always take into consideration the following factors when choosing an appropriate intake of calcium:
Your health: Your diet might not be good, your lifestyle may be unhealthy, you might be overweight, your bones may be too stiff, and your blood sugar may be excessive, but only to some degree should you be keeping the calcium supplement at the highest possible level (<10 mg/dL or <50 ng/dL), and you should consume as much as necessary for optimal health regardless of your vitamin profile: It is not possible for you to drink more than twice your usual calcium intake (more than twice the recommended daily intake). What you need to know: You should not consume vitamin B12 if your blood levels