minerals can be divided into two categories: essential & nonessential.
essential minerals are nutrients which humans must acquire through food &/or supplementation; they are not able to be synthesized [produced or made chemically] by the human body. there are two categories of minerals deemed essential : macro & trace. macro minerals are also referred to as electrolytes: the 6 macro minerals are: calcium, magnesium, chloride, sodium, phosphorus & potassium. they are required by the body in larger amounts than the trace minerals.
trace minerals are also necessary for normal functioning; just in smaller amounts.
***specific functions of the essential minerals are detailed below ***
nonessential minerals is kind of a misnomer. they are still essential to healthy system functioning; however, they are nutrients humans can synthesize on their own & do not need to absorb through food.
what do the minerals do?
macro
calcium: most abundant mineral in body, plays many roles such as maintaining strong bones & teeth, assisting in the contraction & expansion of muscles & blood vessels; nervous system messaging; supports release of enzymes & hormones needed for many bodily functions; it is best to obtain from a natural source [such as shilala!]
chloride: supports electrolytes & fluids balance
phosphorus: bone health
potassium: essential for fluid balance, homeostasis, bone, heart and kidney health
magnesium: involved in over 300 different enzymatic reactions in the body; energy production, cardiovascular health, muscle function [contraction/relaxation] production of blood cells, neurotransmitter function, bone & blood health
sodium: essential for nervous system functioning, muscle contraction, fluid balance, hydration
trace
boron: bone health; estrogen & testosterone balance; supports absorption of calcium & magnesium; wound healing
chromium: reduces & regulates high blood sugar, helps breakdown carbs, sugars & fats; supports weight loss
cobalt: essential for red blood cell formation, supports the nervous system; assists with B-12 function
copper: essential for red blood cell formation, serves as co-factor for several enzymes & nutrients (cofactors are usually metal ions and increase the rate of a reaction)
iron: assists with transporting oxygen around the body, energy production, immune function
iodine: essential for thyroid health, metabolism, energy
manganese: regulates blood sugar, bone formation, reproduction, immune health, mitochondria function, mental health, protects against oxidative damage & gut microbiome imbalance
molybdenum: assists with removing toxins and liver detoxification
selenium: essential for thyroid health, reproduction, metabolism & fighting infections
zinc: immune system, inflammation, skin health, liver health, gut repair, DNA formation, cell growth, detoxifies copper overload