The Role Of Minerals And How They Are Classified

The role of minerals is important as the human body needs them to stay alive and function properly – just as it needs oxygen and water. They are part of the basic nutrients we need to live with carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and vitamins.

The role of minerals is important in a nutritional context. This is because these chemical elements can help us maintain proper body function. In fact, they are part of a wide range of important physiological processes for the development of daily activities.

However, the human body cannot synthesize them by itself despite their important importance. It is therefore necessary to obtain them through the diet. The most important way to do this is through the intake of water, vegetables and food of animal origin. Today’s article will discuss what they are, what the health benefits are and how they are classified.

What exactly are minerals?

Minerals are inorganic substances that are required for the body to function properly. About 4% of a person’s total weight is due to the presence of these elements. However, the amount found in the body has nothing to do with the importance or function they perform.

The four most important structural elements – oxygen, hydrogen, carbon and nitrogen – are not included in the list of these nutrients. However, these represent 96% of the body’s weight. The remaining 4% consists of macro- and micro-minerals.

Unlike fats, carbohydrates or proteins, minerals are not considered energy-supplying nutrients. However, they exercise an important regulatory action for the normal development of daily activities. A deficit can trigger diseases and nutritional problems.

Calcium is a macromineral and deficiency can lead to osteoporosis.

The role of minerals in the human body

Minerals are needed to support certain biochemical processes in the body. They also perform some structural functions. Each of them has its own role, but in general you can summarize them as follows:

Minerals are structural components in tissues, such as teeth and bones. In addition, they are a fundamental part of cells.
They are involved in maintaining the acid-base balance.
In addition, they ensure optimal water balance.
They participate in the transport of gases.
They are necessary to perform muscle contractions.
They also participate in the metabolism of other substances, such as lipids, glucose and energy storage.
Microminerals play an important role as enzyme catalysts. Their influence on enzymes with antioxidant capacity stands out.

Possible health benefits

In addition to their functions, these components also arouse scientific interest in their potential benefits of disease prevention. An excess or deficit of any of them may be related to a greater risk of chronic diseases.

Osteoporosis

Low calcium intake is associated with osteoporosis. This is not the only nutrient that plays an important role here, although it is necessary for proper bone formation – especially in childhood and adolescence.

High blood pressure and heart health

There is no doubt that the presence of potassium in the diet is one of the key elements for people with high blood pressure. Calcium and magnesium are also important as they have an inverse relationship to cardiovascular events.

The role of diet is important as studies doubt the effect dietary supplements have on the body. Therefore, it is recommended to follow the DASH diet, which contains little sodium.

Antioxidant function

Oxidative stress can cause many negative effects on the body, such as confusion as well as DNA and protein damage. Furthermore, the human body has specialized enzymes to slow it down. This is due to the activity of the antioxidants. Some elements such as selenium, magnesium, copper and zinc are also part of these mechanisms.

The role of minerals and their classification

As the Fundación Española de la Nutrición points out, we can divide these essential nutrients into two major groups: macro- and micro-minerals. Both are equally important in the role they play in the human body. The main difference lies in the amount required.

The essential macronutrients

Your body needs 100 mg or more per day of these. The most important are calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, chlorine, magnesium and sulfur.

The lack of macrominerals is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies. This often happens with calcium as it becomes more difficult to get it after the age of 50, both in men and women. It leads to serious long-term health problems, such as osteoporosis.

Microelements or trace elements

Your body requires these in amounts less than 100 mg. The elements that have an important biochemical function in the human body within this category are iron, zinc, fluorine, selenium, copper, chromium, iodine, magnesium and molybdenum.

In healthy people, there is usually no shortage of trace elements when they follow a well-balanced diet. This occurs with the exception of iron, iodine and zinc. Instead, they can be toxic in some cases. Especially when ingested in large quantities over a long period of time.

Iron is a micromineral involved in pathologies such as anemia.

The role of minerals in sustaining life

Minerals are important because they are involved in many basic bodily functions, such as oxygen transport, tissue formation, hormone synthesis and enzyme activity. You can classify them into two large groups according to how much you have to consume of them. Everyone is equally important, and intake takes place exclusively through the diet.

A well-balanced diet tailored to your needs can provide all the minerals your body needs daily. In general, the best sources are vegetables, fish, dairy products, legumes and nuts.

Thanks for reading.