Essential minerals required by the human body

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Essential Minerals: Classification and Functions

Minerals required by the human body are classified based on the amount needed: macrominerals (required in larger amounts) and trace minerals (needed in much smaller quantities) Tako2022Godswill2020Gupta2014+1 MORE. Both types are vital for health, supporting bone and teeth formation, nerve function, enzyme activity, metabolism, and immune response Tako2022Razzaque2025Godswill2020+1 MORE.

Macrominerals Required by the Human Body

The main macrominerals include:

Calcium: Essential for bones, teeth, nerve signaling, and muscle function Tako2022Razzaque2025Godswill2020+2 MORE.
Phosphorus: Important for bone structure and energy metabolism Godswill2020Gupta2014.
Potassium: Maintains fluid balance and supports nerve and muscle function Godswill2020Gupta2014Hatkar2020.
Sodium: Regulates fluid balance and is crucial for nerve and muscle activity Godswill2020Gupta2014.
Magnesium: Involved in over 300 biochemical reactions, including muscle and nerve function Razzaque2025Godswill2020Gupta2014+2 MORE.
Chloride: Helps maintain fluid balance and is part of stomach acid Godswill2020Gupta2014.
Sulfur: Integral to some amino acids and vitamins Godswill2020Gupta2014.

Essential Trace Minerals (Microminerals)

Trace minerals are needed in much smaller amounts but are equally important:

Iron: Required for oxygen transport in blood and energy metabolism Godswill2020Gupta2014Hatkar2020+2 MORE.
Zinc: Supports immune function, wound healing, and DNA synthesis Godswill2020Gupta2014Hatkar2020+2 MORE.
Copper: Important for iron metabolism and nervous system health Godswill2020Gupta2014Hatkar2020+1 MORE.
Iodine: Needed for thyroid hormone production and metabolic regulation Godswill2020Gupta2014Hatkar2020+1 MORE.
Selenium: Functions as an antioxidant and supports immune health Razzaque2025Godswill2020Gupta2014+1 MORE.
Manganese: Involved in bone formation and metabolism Godswill2020Gupta2014.
Molybdenum: Supports enzyme function Godswill2020Gupta2014.
Cobalt: Part of vitamin B12, necessary for red blood cell production Godswill2020Gupta2014Dubey2020.
Chromium: Important for glucose metabolism .
Fluoride: Strengthens teeth and bones Godswill2020Gupta2014.

Dietary Sources and Bioavailability

Minerals are obtained from a variety of foods, including plants, animal products, and water Tako2022Gupta2014Hatkar2020. The bioavailability of minerals can be influenced by dietary factors, age, sex, and physiological state (such as pregnancy) Tako2022Razzaque2025Gupta2014. Consuming a diverse diet with whole grains, dairy, meats, vegetables, and fruits helps ensure adequate mineral intake .

Health Implications of Deficiency and Excess

Deficiencies in essential minerals can lead to serious health problems such as osteoporosis (calcium, magnesium, phosphate), anemia (iron), impaired immune function (zinc, selenium), and thyroid disorders (iodine) Razzaque2025Godswill2020Gupta2014+2 MORE. Conversely, excessive intake of minerals can also be harmful, causing toxicity and organ damage (e.g., hypercalcemia, iron overload) Tako2022Razzaque2025Gomes2021.

Conclusion

The human body requires a range of essential minerals, both macro and trace, to maintain health and support vital physiological functions. A balanced diet with a variety of foods is the best way to meet these mineral requirements and prevent both deficiencies and toxicities Tako2022Razzaque2025Godswill2020+7 MORE.

Sources and full results

Most relevant research papers on this topic

Essential Minerals: Nutritional Requirements, Dietary Sources, and Deficiencies

Essential minerals play crucial roles in bone and tooth formation, fluid and tissue composition, enzyme function, and nerve function, with varying requirements based on age, sex, and physiological state.

2022·

9citations

·E. Tako

Nutrition Guide for Physicians and Related Healthcare Professions·

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Minerals and Human Health: From Deficiency to Toxicity

Maintaining adequate mineral levels through a balanced diet, guided supplementation, and monitoring at-risk populations is essential for good health and preventing disorders related to deficiencies and toxicities.

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·Mohammed S Razzaque et al.

Nutrients·

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Health Benefits of Micronutrients (Vitamins and Minerals) and their Associated Deficiency Diseases: A Systematic Review

Micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) are essential for maintaining health and preventing deficiency diseases, but their intake should be balanced with other essential nutrients.

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2020·

293citations

·Awuchi Godswill Godswill et al.

International Journal of Food Sciences·

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Sources and Deficiency Diseases of Mineral Nutrients in Human Health and Nutrition： A Review

Consuming a variety of foods in modest quantities, including whole grains, low-fat dairy, meats, vegetables, and fruits, can help prevent mineral nutrient deficiencies in humans.

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2014·

209citations

·U. Gupta et al.

Pedosphere·

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Understanding Micronutrients: Vitamins And Minerals

Micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, play a crucial role in maintaining overall health and preventing diseases like osteoporosis, anemia, and scurvy.

2024·

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·Zuhair Youssef et al.

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Overview of the vital roles of macro minerals in the human body

Higher calcium intake may lower the risk of colorectal cancer, and maintaining a balanced diet is crucial for ensuring adequate intake of macro minerals.

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2023·

100citations

·Ali Adeeb Hussein Ali

Journal of Trace Elements and Minerals·

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A Review on Essential Minerals in Water Required for Human Health and Nutrition

Controlled uptake of essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, iodine, and potassium from water is crucial for human health and nutrition.

2020·

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·S. Hatkar

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Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence

B vitamins, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and zinc play crucial roles in cognitive and psychological processes, and their deficiency can lead to fatigue and mental symptoms.

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2020·

402citations

·Anne‐Laure Tardy et al.

Nutrients·

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Role of Minerals and Trace Elements in Diabetes and Insulin Resistance

Deficiencies in minerals and trace elements, particularly iodine, selenium, zinc, calcium, chromium, cobalt, iron, boron, and magnesium, contribute to diabetes and insulin resistance in diverse populations worldwide.

Literature ReviewVery Rigorous JournalHighly Cited

2020·

324citations

·Pallavi Dubey et al.

Nutrients·

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Health Benefits and Risks of Minerals: Bioavailability, Bio-Essentiality, Toxicity, and Pathologies

Minerals are essential for human life and quality of life, but excessive or deficient intake can cause health risks.

2021·

13citations

·C. Gomes et al.

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