There are 17 essential minerals that your body needs each day, and they are divided into two groups – macrominerals, or the major minerals you need in relatively large amounts, and trace minerals, which are typically consumed in much smaller amounts:
The seven macrominerals that you require each day include calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and sulfur.
The 10 trace minerals you need every day include chromium, cobalt, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc.
Whether a mineral falls into the macromineral or trace mineral group is irrelevant. All are essential for health, only in different quantities.
Yet, it’s often the trace minerals that tend to fall through the cracks. You probably make wise food choices and supplement as needed to get enough of macrominerals, like calcium and magnesium. But how about chromium or molybdenum? When was the last time your health provider talked to you about them?
Essential Mineral Complex
- Zinc is one of, if not the most important trace mineral for supporting your immune system. Yet, as many as two billion people don’t get enough of this vital nutrient. Zinc is required for the activity of more than 300 enzymes that assist with metabolism, digestion and other processes. It supports a healthy metabolism, aids carbohydrate and protein metabolism, and the absorption of nutrients.
- Selenium is another mineral that may be just as important as zinc for healthy cells and overall health support. It helps protect cells and tissues against oxidative and free radical damage, and promotes the synthesis of DNA.
- Copper is the third most abundant trace mineral in the human body. Because of its close connection to iron, low levels of copper can affect your cells’ healthy utilization of iron. The right amount of copper is required for zinc to function properly in your body. Copper and zinc compete with each other for absorption, so it’s important to supplement with copper if you are also taking zinc or a separate zinc supplement.
- Manganese is another essential trace element that acts as a cofactor for many enzymes. It’s also needed for bone formation, healthy cell division and blood clotting, and plays a key role in protein, carbohydrate and cholesterol breakdown.
- Chromium can help manage insulin levels and assit with protein, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolisms. It is from Chromium Nicotinate Glycinate Chelate, which is a safe and efficient chelated blend of chromium, glycine and niacin (vitamin B3). Niacin allows the chromium to be released in a biologically active form.
- Molybdenum plays an important role in helping to protect your body against the damaging effects of free radicals and oxidative stress. It also supports your body’s natural detoxification processes.
- Boron plays a key role in promoting healthy bone function by helping to reduce your body’s excretion of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Another valuable benefit from boron may be involved in brain function and cognition. In contrast to higher boron intake, low dietary boron resulted in significantly lower scores in cognition, including attention, perception and the ability to remember names and numbers.
