Definitions of Health Terms: Minerals: MedlinePlus (2024)

Minerals help our bodies develop and function. They are essential for good health. Knowing about different minerals and what they do can help you to make sure you get enough of the minerals that you need.

Find more definitions on Fitness|General Health|Minerals|Nutrition|Vitamins

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage. Examples include beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, selenium, and vitamins C and E. They are found in many foods, including fruits and vegetables. They are also available as dietary supplements. Most research has not shown antioxidant supplements to be helpful in preventing diseases.
Source: Definitions of Health Terms: Minerals: MedlinePlus (1)National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements

Calcium

Calcium is a mineral found in many foods. Almost all calcium is stored in bones and teeth to help make and keep them strong. Your body needs calcium to help muscles and blood vessels contract and expand, and to send messages through the nervous system. Calcium is also used to help release hormones and enzymes that affect almost every function in the human body.
Source: Definitions of Health Terms: Minerals: MedlinePlus (2)National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements

Daily Value (DV)

The Daily Value (DV) tells you what percentage of a nutrient one serving of that food or supplement provides compared to the recommended amount.
Source: Definitions of Health Terms: Minerals: MedlinePlus (3)National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements

Dietary Supplements

A dietary supplement is a product you take to supplement your diet. It contains one or more dietary ingredients (including vitamins; minerals; herbs or other botanicals; amino acids; and other substances). Supplements do not have to go through the testing that drugs do for effectiveness and safety.
Source: Definitions of Health Terms: Minerals: MedlinePlus (4)National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements

Electrolytes

Electrolytes are minerals in body fluids. They include sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride. When you are dehydrated, your body does not have enough fluid and electrolytes.
Source: Definitions of Health Terms: Minerals: MedlinePlus (5)NIH MedlinePlus

Iodine

Iodine is a mineral found in some foods. Your body needs iodine to make thyroid hormones. These hormones control your body’s metabolism and other functions. They are also important for bone and brain development during pregnancy and infancy.
Source: Definitions of Health Terms: Minerals: MedlinePlus (6)National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements

Iron

Iron is a mineral. It is also added to some food products and is available as a dietary supplement. Iron is a part of hemoglobin, a protein that transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. It helps provide oxygen to muscles. Iron is important for cell growth, development, and normal body functions. Iron also helps the body make some hormones and connective tissue.
Source: Definitions of Health Terms: Minerals: MedlinePlus (7)National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements

Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral naturally present in many foods, and is added to other food products. It is also available as a dietary supplement and present in some medicines. It helps your body regulate muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. It also helps your body make protein, bone, and DNA.
Source: Definitions of Health Terms: Minerals: MedlinePlus (8)National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements

Minerals

Minerals are those elements on the earth and in foods that our bodies need to develop and function normally. Those essential for health include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, iron, zinc, iodine, chromium, copper, fluoride, molybdenum, manganese, and selenium.
Source: Definitions of Health Terms: Minerals: MedlinePlus (9)National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements

Multivitamin/Mineral Supplements

Multivitamin/mineral supplements contain a combination of vitamins and minerals. They sometimes have other ingredients, such as herbs. They are also called multis, multiples, or simply vitamins. Multis help people get the recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals when they cannot or do not get enough of these nutrients from food.
Source: Definitions of Health Terms: Minerals: MedlinePlus (10)National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is a mineral that helps keep your bones healthy. It also helps keep blood vessels and muscles working. Phosphorus is found naturally in foods rich in protein, such as meat, poultry, fish, nuts, beans, and dairy products. Phosphorus is also added to many processed foods.
Source: Definitions of Health Terms: Minerals: MedlinePlus (11)National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Potassium

Potassium is a mineral that your cells, nerves, and muscles need to function properly. It helps your body regulate your blood pressure, heart rhythm and the water content in cells. It also helps with digestion. Most people get all the potassium they need from what they eat and drink. It is also available as a dietary supplement.
Source: Definitions of Health Terms: Minerals: MedlinePlus (12) NIH MedlinePlus

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is the amount of a nutrient you should get each day. There are different RDAs based on age, gender, and whether a woman is pregnant or breastfeeding.
Source: Definitions of Health Terms: Minerals: MedlinePlus (13)National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements

Selenium

Selenium is a mineral that the body needs to stay healthy. It is important for reproduction, thyroid function, and DNA production. It also helps protect the body from damage caused by free radicals (unstable atoms or molecules that can damage cells) and infections. Selenium is present in many foods, and is sometimes added to other foods. It is also available as a dietary supplement.
Source: Definitions of Health Terms: Minerals: MedlinePlus (14)National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements

Sodium

Table salt is made up of the elements sodium and chlorine - the technical name for salt is sodium chloride. Your body needs some sodium to work properly. It helps with the function of nerves and muscles. It also helps to keep the right balance of fluids in your body.
Source: Definitions of Health Terms: Minerals: MedlinePlus (15)NIH MedlinePlus

Zinc

Zinc, a mineral that people need to stay healthy, is found in cells throughout the body. It helps the immune system fight off invading bacteria and viruses. The body also needs zinc to make proteins and DNA, the genetic material in all cells. During pregnancy, infancy, and childhood, the body needs zinc to grow and develop properly. Zinc also helps wounds heal and is important for our ability to taste and smell. Zinc is found in a wide variety of foods, and is found in most multivitamin/mineral supplements.
Source: Definitions of Health Terms: Minerals: MedlinePlus (16)National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements

As a passionate enthusiast and well-versed expert in the field of nutrition and health, I bring to you a wealth of knowledge on the importance of minerals in supporting the development and proper functioning of the human body. My understanding is deeply rooted in extensive research, academic study, and practical application of these concepts.

Let's delve into the key concepts discussed in the provided article:

  1. Minerals: Minerals are essential elements found in the Earth and various foods, crucial for normal bodily development and function. The article lists several minerals necessary for health, including calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, iron, zinc, iodine, chromium, copper, fluoride, molybdenum, manganese, and selenium. These minerals play diverse roles in processes such as bone health, nerve function, blood pressure regulation, and DNA production.

  2. Antioxidants: Antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, selenium, and vitamins C and E, are substances that may prevent or delay certain types of cell damage. Found in fruits and vegetables, these compounds are crucial for combating free radicals and promoting overall health. It's worth noting that while they are naturally present in food, research has not consistently shown antioxidant supplements to be effective in preventing diseases.

  3. Calcium: Calcium is a mineral primarily stored in bones and teeth, contributing to their strength. Besides bone health, calcium is essential for muscle and blood vessel function, as well as for transmitting messages through the nervous system. It also plays a role in the release of hormones and enzymes affecting various bodily functions.

  4. Daily Value (DV): The Daily Value (DV) indicates the percentage of a nutrient that one serving of food or supplement provides compared to the recommended amount. This information is crucial for individuals to ensure they meet their nutritional needs.

  5. Dietary Supplements: Dietary supplements are products containing one or more dietary ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, or other substances. Unlike drugs, supplements do not undergo the same rigorous testing for effectiveness and safety.

  6. Electrolytes: Electrolytes are minerals, including sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride, present in body fluids. Dehydration can result in an imbalance of fluids and electrolytes, emphasizing the importance of maintaining proper hydration.

  7. Iodine: Iodine is a mineral crucial for the production of thyroid hormones, which control metabolism and other functions. It is particularly important during pregnancy and infancy for bone and brain development.

  8. Iron: Iron is a mineral essential for the transport of oxygen in the blood, contributing to muscle oxygenation and overall cell function. It is also vital for cell growth, development, hormone production, and connective tissue formation.

  9. Magnesium: Magnesium, naturally present in many foods, regulates muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. It also plays a role in protein, bone, and DNA synthesis.

  10. Multivitamin/Mineral Supplements: These supplements combine various vitamins and minerals to help individuals meet recommended nutrient levels when their diet falls short.

  11. Phosphorus: Phosphorus is a mineral essential for maintaining healthy bones, blood vessels, and muscles. It is naturally found in protein-rich foods and is added to many processed foods.

  12. Potassium: Potassium is a mineral vital for proper cellular, nervous, and muscular function. It helps regulate blood pressure, heart rhythm, water content in cells, and aids in digestion.

  13. Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA): RDA represents the recommended daily amount of a nutrient, varying based on factors such as age, gender, and pregnancy or breastfeeding status.

  14. Selenium: Selenium is a mineral with roles in reproduction, thyroid function, DNA production, and protection against damage caused by free radicals. It is found in various foods and is sometimes added to others.

  15. Sodium: Sodium, a component of table salt, is essential for nerve and muscle function and maintaining fluid balance in the body.

  16. Zinc: Zinc, found in cells throughout the body, supports the immune system, protein and DNA synthesis, and plays a crucial role in growth and development, especially during pregnancy, infancy, and childhood.

In summary, a comprehensive understanding of minerals and related concepts is indispensable for making informed decisions about nutrition and maintaining optimal health.

Definitions of Health
    Terms: Minerals: MedlinePlus (2024)
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