Minerals

MINERALS

Introduction

Minerals are inorganic elements that are present in body fluids and tissues. They are supplied to the body through diet, for example sodium from table salt and sulfur from proteins. They are required for a variety of biochemical and physiological functions such as enzyme action, nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction. Each mineral is required in a specific amount ranging from micrograms to grams per day.

Minerals constitute about eight percent of total body mass of a human being. Unlike carbohydrates, fats and proteins, minerals donot furnish energy but they influence the rate of biochemical reactions through enzymes. Unlike vitamins, minerals are not destroyed during cooking process. However, some loss may occur due to their solubility in water.