Minerals are inorganic elements that occur naturally in water and soil. Your body cannot naturally produce minerals. Plants, however, absorb minerals through their roots, and plant foods are one of the best natural sources of minerals. Because other animals also eat plants, you can indirectly obtain minerals by consuming animal foods. Your digestive system processes the minerals you consume, allowing your body to use the minerals to support your overall health. You can also take minerals in supplement form. However, you should speak with a medical professional prior to consuming any mineral supplement.
Two Types
Minerals are classified as macro minerals and trace minerals. Trace minerals include iron, zinc and copper. Macro minerals, on the other hand, include calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Although your body requires both types of minerals, according to "Williams' Basic Nutrition and Diet Therapy," your body generally requires smaller amounts of trace minerals than macro-minerals. You should, however, always make sure that you consume the standard recommended daily intake levels of both trace minerals and macro minerals so that your body can make the best use of the foods you consume.
Healthy Teeth
The digestive process starts in your mouth with your saliva, which starts to break down the foods you eat, and your teeth, which chew the foods. You need healthy teeth to chew properly and begin the digestive process. Minerals such as magnesium, calcium and phosphorus support the overall health of your teeth. The structure of your teeth depends on these minerals. Only after chewing your food can the food pass through your esophagus and reach your digestive system, where your digestive enzymes can begin their work.
Digestion Considerations
Several minerals directly support the enzymes in your body that break down food. This means that without these minerals, your enzymes would not function properly, resulting in poor digestion of food items. Manganese and chromium are minerals required by the enzymes in your digestive system. According to "Solve it With Supplements: How To Use Vitamins, Minerals, herbs and the Latest Supplements To Prevent and Heal Over 100 Common Health Problems," deficiencies of manganese or chromium will often lead to digestive problems in your body. If you have a deficiency of these minerals, you can take mineral supplements to help restore proper mineral balance to your digestive system.
Manganese and Chromium
Manganese is a trace mineral element. Your body requires manganese to metabolize the vitamin thiamine. Additionally, manganese assists your body with the metabolic progression of other foods, vitamins and minerals. Your body uses chromium to move glucose from your blood into your cells, where your body can use the glucose as energy. Additionally, chromium plays a critical role in converting proteins, fats and carbs into energy.
References
- "Williams' Basic Nutrition and Diet Therapy"; Staci Nix; 2008
- "Vitamins, Minerals and Dietary Supplements: The American Dietetic Association Tips from the Nutrition Experts"; Marsha Hudnall; 1999
- "Solve It With Supplements"; Dr. Robert Schulman; 2004
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