Minerals

Minerals

Minerals are inorganic substances that cannot be synthesised by our bodies, making the body reliant upon the dietary intake. Minerals actively participate in regulating a wide range of physiological functions, including transporting oxygen to cells and in the general upkeep of the central nervous system. Minerals are also required for growth, maintenance, repair and the health of bones and tissues. Minerals are needed for the proper composition of body fluids, the formation of blood and bone, the maintenance of body fluids, the maintenance of a healthy nerve function and the regulation of muscle tone, including those of the cardiovascular system. The nutritional value of minerals is every bit as important to us as vitamins yet today’s highly processed foods coupled with the depletion of mineral levels in the soil arising from intensive farming practices can lead to shortfalls of these elements in our daily diet. It’s becoming increasingly evident from UK dietary surveys that a worryingly large proportion of adults and children are failing to achieve the recommended daily targets for a range of minerals and trace elements.