Minerals: Meaning, Properties & Functions

Minerals are natural homogeneous substances originating in the earth. They are organic and can be found in soil. Our body requires minerals for day-to-day energy activities but the body can not produce minerals on its own. We fulfill our need for minerals from food mostly grown beneath the soil. Minerals are absorbed more efficiently by the body when supplied in foods as compared to when it is supplied in supplements. Minerals include sodium, calcium, chloride, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium, which are essential minerals required by the body. These minerals are required for forming muscle growth, making bones stronger, proper functioning of heart and mind, etc. Minerals are also essential for forming enzymes and hormones. Minerals are divided into Macrominerals and Trace Minerals (also called Microminerals). While Macrominerals are required in larger quantities by the body, the requirement of Microminerals is trivial. Microminerals consist of iron, fluoride, and iodine. Macrominerals include Sodium, Potassium, and Calcium. These Macrominerals and Trace Minerals make up for 4% of the body weight while the remaining 96% is made up of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon, and Nitrogen.

Keyterms: Minerals, Macrominerals, Trace Minerals, Microminerals, Sodium, calcium, chloride, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen

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Calcium

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Calcium is present in abundance in the body and is one of the essential minerals to perform vital functions. Calcium is required by the body, (apart from Vitamin D, K), for the growth of bones, teeth, etc. Calcium also improves intracellular signaling- enabling regulation and integration of metabolic processes, controlling muscle contraction, and blood clotting. Deficiency of Calcium can lead to Hypocalcaemia- a condition in which bone density weakens in the body. To overcome calcium deficiency one can consume Milk, Eggs, Fish, Nuts, Dairy products, Broccoli, cabbage, soya products, etc. but excessive calcium intake can lead to stomachache and diarrhea.

Also Read: Essential mineral elements

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Magnesium

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Magnesium, a nutrient used to keep the body healthy used to regulate muscle and blood functioning, blood sugar level and blood pressure. Magnesium is required for 300+ biochemical reactions occurring inside the body. It is also needed for enzyme activation and parathyroid hormone secretion. Deficiency of Magnesium can cause Hypomagnesemia- a condition in which muscle weakens and neuromuscular dysfunctioning starts. Legumes, nuts, seeds, spinach, peanut butter, etc. are some of the sources of Magnesium. Excess deficiency of Magnesium can get one person with Diarrhoea.

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Phosphorous

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Phosphorous helps in bone formation in the body. 80% of Phosphorous is present as salts of calcium in the skeleton and is, therefore, an important and essential nutrient. It is also essential for maintaining the structure of cell membranes and contributes a lot to energy metabolism. There can be no deficiency due to phosphorous as phosphorous is present in every food. And thus has no adverse effects. Red meat, bread, fish, dairy products, oats, rice, etc. are rich sources of Phosphorus.

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Sodium

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Sodium plays a vital role in the body by maintaining blood pressure levels, regulating the water content of the body, and levels of electrolytes. It is also required to absorb some nutrients and water from the gut. Hyponatremia is a condition of deficiency of Sodium in the body. Table salt, sea vegetable, milk, chicken, soup, butter, cheese, vegetable juices, etc. fill up for the supply of Sodium. Excessive intake of sodium can lead to hypertension that can lead to cardiovascular failure.

Also Read:

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Potassium

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Potassium is one of the important nutrients for the body to regulate water and electrolyte balance. It is also essential to maintain the normal functioning of cells. It also helps to keep blood pressure at a level. Deficiency in Potassium can lead to Hypokalaemia- a condition in which a person can face weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, etc. Sweet potato, potato, tomato, lentils, banana, carrot, orange, etc. are rich sources of Potassium. Higher intake of Potassium can lead to kidney failure or can have an adverse effect on the kidney if a kidney isn’t functioning properly.

The following tables give an illustration of the disease caused by the deficiency of various minerals.

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Things to Remember

• Minerals must occur in nature: Minerals cannot be artificial or manmade. They are made by a natural geological process that has no involvement of man.
• Minerals are Abiogenic: Minerals cannot be produced by any activity of living organisms. You might be thinking pearls are naturally occurring, why are they not regarded as minerals? It is because pearl is made of nacre and calcite and Nacre is a composite material made from aragonite and organic conchiolin. The same is the reason with jet, tooth, shells, bone, hard fossilized remains, etc.
• Minerals are of the crystalline form: Minerals contain a repetitive arrangement of atoms and ions. Minerals have crystalline structures. Mineral crystallization is also formed in oceans when water deposits its solutes in certain areas.
• Minerals are Inorganic in Nature: Minerals don’t belong to the organic compound class like carbohydrates, proteins, etc. Minerals do not form a bond with Carbon atoms.
• Minerals are Solid: Minerals exist only as Solid and are no liquid or gas. Charged Ions bond together to form minerals giving them solid structure. The structure of minerals is rigid i.e., particles of minerals do not move.
• Minerals have definite Chemical Composition: Each mineral is unique as it has its specific combination of atoms, not found in any other mineral. Example- Salt. 

Also Read: Macronutrients & Micronutrients