Essay On Trace Minerals

Trace minerals are those minerals which are needed in only trace, or very small, amounts in the body. If there is a need for so little of these trace minerals, why would they be so necessary as to necessitate supplementation of them?

The fact is that while these trace minerals are only needed in tiny amounts by the body, even that tiny requirement is not being fulfilled by our diets. Think about the typical American diet: high in fat, such as beef and fried or greasy foods, high in purely chemical foods, such as soda and candy, and high in chemical-laden, high-fat, nutritionally-void foods, such as prepackaged donuts and pastries, fast food, and salty snacks. If an American does happen to eat a fruit or vegetable on occasion, it has been grown in ground which has been depleted of all minerals. If the plants are not getting the nutrients from the ground, how can we get nutrients from the plant?

The sad fact is that we can't, and are not. It is for this reason-the horrible eating habits that we have adopted-that it is absolutely necessary that we supplement with the right mineral

In other words, one mineral alone cannot do much for the body. It needs at least one other nutrient to help, and most of the time, more than one other mineral, such as calcium needing boron and magnesium. For this reason, it is not wise to only take one mineral supplement; as chances are that will not be enough, and may even cause other problems. Minerals always work together, and with other vitamins, to help your body be as healthy as possible. Magnesium and calcium work together to help muscle and bone function; potassium and sodium work together as electrolytes; and molybdenum and fluoride work together to prevent cavities. It is important to study up on minerals, and know what to take when. Some minerals can actually decrease absorption of another; for example, zinc and copper should never be taken together, but rather, at opposite times of the