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Overview of Minerals

By

Larry E. Johnson

, MD, PhD, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Reviewed/Revised Jul 2023
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Topic Resources

Six macrominerals are required by people in gram amounts.

Daily requirements range from 0.3 to 2.0 g. Bone, muscle, heart, and brain function depend on these macrominerals.

Nine trace minerals Trace Minerals Trace Minerals (microminerals) are required by people in minute amounts:

  • Chromium

  • Copper

  • Fluorine

  • Iodine

  • Iron

  • Manganese

  • Molybdenum

  • Selenium

  • Zinc

Dietary guidelines for trace minerals have been determined (see table Guidelines for Daily Intake of Trace Minerals Guidelines for Daily Intake of Trace Minerals Guidelines for Daily Intake of Trace Minerals ). All trace minerals are toxic at high levels; some minerals (chromium) may be carcinogens. It is not clear whether chromium should be considered an essential (required) trace element (1 Reference Six macrominerals are required by people in gram amounts. Four cations: Sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium Two accompanying anions: Chloride and phosphorus Daily requirements range from... read more ).

Trace mineral deficiencies (except for iodine, iron, and zinc) do not often develop spontaneously in adults on ordinary diets; infants are more vulnerable because their growth is rapid and intake varies.

Table
Table

Reference

  • 1. Vincent JB: New evidence against chromium as an essential trace element. J Nutr 147(12):2212–2219, 2017. doi:10.3945/jn.117.255901

More Information

The following English-language resource may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.

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