Serving roles as varied as regulating enzyme activity and maintaining acid-base balance to assisting with strength and growth, minerals are critical for human life.\u00a0 Unlike vitamins, many minerals are found in the body as well as food.\u00a0 The body\u2019s ability to use\u00a0 the minerals is dependant on their bioavailability.\u00a0 Nearly all minerals, with exception of iron, are absorbed in their free form – that is, in their ionic state unbound to organic molecules and complexes.\u00a0 When bound to a complex, the mineral is considered not to be bioavailable and it will be excreted in feces.\u00a0 Typically, minerals with high bioavailability include sodium, potassium, chloride, iodide and fluoride.\u00a0 Minerals with low bioavailability include iron, chromium and manganese.\u00a0 All other minerals, including calcium and magnesium, are of medium bioavailability.
\nAn important consideration when consuming minerals, and particularly when people take mineral supplements is the possibility of mineral to mineral interactions.\u00a0 Minerals can interfere with the absorption of other minerals.\u00a0 For example, zinc absorption may be decreased through iron supplementation. Zinc excesses can decrease copper absorption.\u00a0 Too much calcium limits the absorption of manganese, zinc and iron.\u00a0 When a mineral is not absorbed properly, deficiency may develop.<\/p>\n
Serving a variety of functions in the body, minerals are typically categorised as macro minerals (bulk elements) and micro-minerals (trace elements).\u00a0 Micro-minerals include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, sodium, chloride and potassium.\u00a0 Micro-minerals include iron, iodine, selenium, zinc, and various other minerals.<\/p>\n