Andrea N. Bailey
Minerals are found in almost all foods.. Minerals are an inorganic substance in the body. They are needed to build bones, tissues and other compounds. Several minerals are needed for development and good health. Some minerals are found in the body in large amounts. They are calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride. Other minerals found in the body in small amounts are just as important. They are iron, iodine, zinc, and fluoride.
Calcium combines with phosphorus to build and strengthen bones and teeth. Approximately half of the body's magnesium is found in the skeleton. The other is found in the soft tissues and body fluids. Sodium and chloride are found in the blood plasma, in bones: some chloride is found in gastric juice: and most of the potassium is found within cells. These minerals work together to control osmosis. Important sources of minerals are milk, milk products, fish, meat, poultry, bananas, citrus fruits, and dark leafy green vegetables.
Trace elements are found in the body in very small amounts. Some are essential for good health. Iron is found in the blood. It combines with a protein to form hemoglobin. Iron in the body is used over and over again, as red blood cell die and their iron recovered. Liver is one of the best sources of iron, as well as red meat. Iodine is a nutrient stored in the thyroid gland located at the base of the neck. Iodine is an essential part of the hormone thyroxin which is produced by the thyroid gland and it increases oxidation rates in the cells. Seafood, seaweed, and iodized salt are good sources of iodine. Manganese combines with certain enzymes in order for them to function properly. A source of manganese combines with certain enzymes in order for them to function properly. A source of manganese is instant coffee, bran flakes, and shredded wheat.
Copper is another nutrient needed in the body for the formation of hemoglobin which is necessary for red blood cells. Food rich in copper are beef, pork liver, and bran flakes. Zinc is involved in the release of oxygen from the lungs and it helps in the digestion proteins. Food sources are eggs, milk, seafood, meat and poultry.
Finally fluoride, a substance found in bones and teeth, is needed for resistance to dental caries. Fluoride is most helpful during the development of teeth. Some toothpaste contains fluoride and the public drinking water contains fluoride.
