Mineral Salts

Iron: required to make haemoglobin.

Calcium: required for healthy teeth, bones and muscles.

Sodium: all cells need this, especially nerve cells.

Iodine: used to make a hormone called thyroxin.

Minerals salts are necessary within the body for all body processes, usually in only small quantities.

Iron

Iron, as a soluble compound, is found in liver, kidney, beef, egg yolk, wholemeal bread and green vegetables. In normal adults about 1 mg of iron is lost from the body daily. The normal daily diet contains more, i.e. 9 to 15 mg, but only 5-15% of intake is absorbed. Iron is essential for the formation of hemoglobin in the red blood cells. It is also necessary for oxidation of carbohydrate and in the synthesis of some hormones and neurotransmitters.

Iron deficiency is a relatively common condition, and causes anemia if iron stores become sufficiently depleted. Menstruating and pregnant women have increased iron requirements, as do young people experiencing growth spurts. Iron deficiency anemia may also occur in chronic bleeding, e.g. peptic ulcer disease.

It is essential for the formation of thyroxine and triiodothyronine, two hormones secreted by the thyroid gland.

Calcium

Is also involved in the coagulation of blood and the mechanism of muscle contraction.

Adequate supply should be obtained in a normal, well-balanced diet, although requirements are higher in pregnant women and growing children. 99% of body calcium is found in the bones, where it is an essential structural components. Thus is found in milk, cheese, eggs, green vegetables and some fish.

Sodium

Sodium is found in most foods, especially fish, meat, eggs, milk, artificially enriched bread and as cooking and table salt. The normal intake of sodium chloride per day varies from 5 to 20 g and the daily requirement is 1.6 g. Excess is excreted in the urine.

It is the most commonly occurring extracellular cation and is associated with:

Contraction of muscles

Transmission of nerve impulses along axons

Maintenance of the electrolyte balance in the body.

Iodine

Iodine is found in salt-water fish and in vegetables grown in soil containing iodine. In some parts of the world where iodine is deficient in soil very small quantities are added to table salt. The daily requirements of iodine depends upon the individual's metabolic rate. Some people have a higher normal metabolic rate than others and their iodine requirements are greater. The daily requirement is 140 micrograms.

It is essential for the formation of thyroxine and triiodothyronine, two hormones secreted by the thyroid gland.

This Article was by Michelle At People's Natural Living