Understand the Importance of Minerals

It’s a little strange to think, isn’t it, that the same minerals we see in rocks and in tall buildings are the keys to our body functioning like a well-oiled machine? Well, minerals are necessary to keep our bodies working at full capacity and if that doesn’t happen, our metabolism takes a beating. While some minerals provide structure to our bones, others ensure that our muscles, heart, and nerves are working properly and are major factors in the metabolic process. There are fourteen essential minerals that are required for the body to work properly, and they must be consumed in our diet because we are unable to make them within our bodies. Unlike vitamins, minerals do not contain carbon so they are known as inorganic compounds.

Understand How Minerals Work
For minerals to work and help with the body’s functions, they must be absorbed through the intestinal walls and then transported and stored in different types of cells. Some, like calcium, attach to proteins and build structure, while others, like potassium, are used in cells to regulate the balance of fluids. Since we only need trace amounts of most minerals, it is important to consult with your doctor before choosing to supplement your diet; large amounts of minerals may be toxic.