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The Micronutrinents-II : Minerals

In the earlier  units  you  studied about the complex  organic compounds carbohydrates, fats, proteins and vitamins. These vital compounds carry out various body functions. They provide  energy, support growth and development and also perform protective and regulatory functions. Along with these compounds a set of inorganic elements called minerals are also required by the body. Minerals are defined as those elements which largely  remain  as ash when plant or animal  tissues are completely burnt. 

Like vitamins,  minerals are micronutrients which perform  regulatory and protective functions. The human body contains as many as 19 minerals in  widely varying amounts. The total mineral content of the body is, however,  small and accounts  for only 4-6 per cent of the total body weight. Some of the  important minerals found in our body  include  calcium, phosphorus, iron, iodine, sodium, potassium, zinc and chloride. All  these minerals are of course, derived from the food we eat. 

Of the minerals we have just  mentioned some are required  in  larger amounts and others in much smaller amounts as you will learn  in  this  unit. Remember, however, that the total amount of minerals  required by the  body is  small. Let us now study some of the minerals  required by our body, the role they play, their food sources and their absorption and utilization by the body. 

Objectives :

After studying this  unit,  you will be  able  to: 
  • define the  term  mineral 
  • differentiate between minerals required in larger amounts and smaller amounts 
  • describe the functions performed by these  minerals  in the body 
  • list  the food  sources of each of these minerals and 
  • discuss the absorption and excretion of each specific  mineral 

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