What type of nutrient is a mineral

You get them from the foods you eat every day. Minerals are inorganic elements that come from soil and water, and are absorbed by plants or eaten by animals.

Your body needs larger amounts of some minerals, such as calcium , to grow and stay healthy. Other minerals like chromium, copper, iodine, iron, selenium, and zinc are called trace minerals because you need only very small amounts of them.

Vitamins and minerals boost the immune system , support normal growth and development, and help cells and organs do their jobs. For example, you've probably heard that carrots are good for your eyes.

It's true! Carrots are full of substances called carotenoids pronounced: kuh-RAH-teh-noydz that your body converts into vitamin A, which helps prevent eye problems. Vitamin K helps blood to clot, so cuts and scrapes stop bleeding quickly. You'll find vitamin K in green leafy vegetables, broccoli, and soybeans. And to have strong bones, you need to eat foods such as milk, yogurt, and green leafy vegetables, which are rich in the mineral calcium.

Eating well now is especially important because the body needs a variety of vitamins and minerals to grow and stay healthy. They are found in many foods, including fruits and vegetables. They are also available as dietary supplements.

Most research has not shown antioxidant supplements to be helpful in preventing diseases. Calcium is a mineral found in many foods. Almost all calcium is stored in bones and teeth to help make and keep them strong. Your body needs calcium to help muscles and blood vessels contract and expand, and to send messages through the nervous system.

Calcium is also used to help release hormones and enzymes that affect almost every function in the human body. The Daily Value DV tells you what percentage of a nutrient one serving of that food or supplement provides compared to the recommended amount.

A dietary supplement is a product you take to supplement your diet. It contains one or more dietary ingredients including vitamins; minerals; herbs or other botanicals; amino acids; and other substances. Supplements do not have to go through the testing that drugs do for effectiveness and safety.

Electrolytes are minerals in body fluids. They include sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride. When you are dehydrated, your body does not have enough fluid and electrolytes. Iodine is a mineral found in some foods. Home Health Information Vitamins and Minerals. Vitamins and Minerals. Bottom Line:. Most individuals can get all of the necessary vitamins and minerals through a healthy eating pattern of nutrient-dense foods.

Manufacturers choose which vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients, as well as their amounts, to include in their products. Join us Nov. RT HarvardChanSPH : "One way for people to make healthier choices is for the institutions that provide free food to improve the nutritional…. Register to join the event! Loading Comments Email Required Name Required Website. Thiamin vitamin B1. Riboflavin vitamin B2. Niacin vitamin B3; nicotinic acid.

Pantothenic Acid vitamin B5. Vitamin B6 pyridoxal, pyridoxine, pyridoxamine. Biotin vitamin B7. Folate Folic acid; vitamin B9. Vitamin B Vitamin C.