FOOD ISSUES

MINERALS

Information: food issues. Minerals help the body perform numerous functions, such as building strong bones, transmitting nerve impulses, making hormones and maintaining a regular heartbeat.

There are two types of minerals - macrominerals and trace minerals. Your body needs larger amounts of macrominerals like calcium, sodium and potassium. Trace minerals, on the other hand, are only needed in small amounts. Common trace minerals include iron, zinc and selenium.

Calcium is an important macromineral that is absolutely necessary for healthy bones and teeth. It helps your heart and nerves function properly and helps your blood to clot.

Iron, a trace mineral, prevents anemia and keeps your red blood cells healthy. In fact iron is an essential part of hemoglobin, a part of the red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. You also store iron in your muscle tissues and it's an essential part of many of your body's proteins and enzymes.

Potassium, a trace mineral, balances water and acid in the blood and body tissues. Potassium is also important for building muscle and metabolizing protein and carbohydrate.

Selenium is a trace mineral, and the body only needs small amounts of it to function properly. Selenium plays an important role in the body's enzyme function, and may help to stimulate the production of antibodies (disease-fighting organisms) after vaccination.

elenium also aids in male fertility. Selenium is also considered an antioxidant, and it may work with other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E to protect the body's cells against free radicals, which can promote the development of cancer and heart disease.

Sodium, a macromineral, is actually necessary to regulate your blood pressure and blood volume. Without sodium, you wouldn't have any blood pressure at all.

Sodium occurs naturally in many foods, including vegetables and dairy products. In addition, sodium is in drinking water and in many processed foods and condiments, such as soy sauce, processed meats, and canned soups and vegetables.

Zinc, a trace mineral, is important to maintain your body's immune system functioning. Zinc also aids in cell growth and cell division and helps with wound healing. Zinc is also integral to your ability to taste and smell.

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