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What are minerals?
Quantity elements are all inorganic substances whose concentration in the body is more than 50 mg / kg. These include sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, calcium, phosphorus and sulfur. Iron is an exception: although its concentration is around 60 mg / kg body weight, it is counted as a trace element. healthnutritionhints
»Trace elements occur in a concentration of less than 50 mg
/ kg body weight. These include, for example, chromium, copper, iodine, zinc ,
fluorine and manganese as well as the above-mentioned exception iron. The
number of trace elements that are essential for humans cannot be precisely
stated to this day.
Functions of minerals
Compared to vitamins, minerals have a very simple chemical
structure. They also do not provide any energy, but build bones, teeth,
hormones and blood cells, maintain tissue tension, transmit stimuli and / or
activate enzymes . Many minerals take on a wide variety of functions in the
body. Calcium, for example, builds bones and teeth and at the same time has a
role in blood clotting and excitability of the muscles.
Minerals from food
The need for minerals can usually be met without any
problems with a balanced mixed diet, especially with lots of vegetables and
whole grain products. How well the body can utilize the minerals depends on various
factors, such as the form in which the minerals are present in the food or how
the food is composed.
Well-known example: The divalent iron from plant products
(such as whole grain products) is much more difficult for the body to absorb
than the trivalent iron from animal sources (e.g. meat). But you can help:
Consuming a food rich in vitamin C at the same time improves iron absorption
(e.g. orange juice with whole grain rice).
Another tip: all minerals are water-soluble. Therefore, do
not soak food for too long or boil it in plenty of water . Otherwise there will
be more minerals in the cooking water than in the food.
Germany - an iodine deficiency area
The trace element iodine is of particular importance:
Germany is an iodine deficiency area because the arable land and cattle
pastures hardly contain any iodine. Many people are deficient in iodine and
risk an enlarged thyroid. However, this can easily be prevented with frequent
sea fish dishes and the use of iodized salt.
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