Dietary minerals

Dietary minerals are the chemical elements required by living organisms, other than the four elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen present in common organic molecules. Minerals do not produce the energy required by the body, but are required to facilitate this process. Sixteen minerals are required to support human biochemical processes by playing roles in cell structure and function as well as electrolytes:

1. Calcium is needed for muscle, heart and digestive system health, builds bone, supports synthesis and function of blood cells. Dietary sources of calcium include dairy products, canned fish with bones (salmon, sardines), green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds.
2. Chloride is needed for production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and in cellular pump functions. Table salt is the main dietary source of chloride.
3. Cobalt
4. Copper is required component of many redox enzymes, including cytochrome c oxidase.
5. Iodine is required for the biosynthesis of thyroxine.
6. Iron is required for many proteins and enzymes, notably hemoglobin. Dietary sources include red meat, leafy green vegetables, fish (tuna, salmon), eggs, dried fruits, beans, whole grains, and enriched grains.
7. Magnesium is required for processing ATP and for bones. Dietary sources include nuts, soy beans, and cocoa.
8. Manganese is a cofactor in enzyme functions.
9. Molybdenum - xanthine oxidase and related oxidases.
10. Nickel
11. Phosphorus is a component of bones (see apatite) and energy processing and many other functions.
12. Potassium is a systemic electrolyte and is essential in coregulating ATP with sodium. Dietary sources include legumes, potato skin, tomatoes, and bananas.
13. Selenium, a cofactor essential to activity of antioxidant enzymes like glutathione peroxidase.
14. Sodium is a systemic electrolyte and is essential in coregulating ATP with potassium. Dietary sources include table salt (sodium chloride, the main source), sea vegetables, milk, and spinach.
15. Sulfur
16. Zinc is pervasive and required for several enzymes such as carboxypeptidase, liver alcohol dehydrogenase, and carbonic anhydrase.