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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/minerals.html

Minerals

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Summary

Minerals are important for your body to stay healthy. Your body uses minerals for many different jobs, including keeping your bones, muscles, heart, and brain working properly. Minerals are also important for making enzymes and hormones.

There are two kinds of minerals: macrominerals and trace minerals. You need larger amounts of macrominerals. They include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride and sulfur. You only need small amounts of trace minerals. They include iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, fluoride and selenium.

Most people get the amount of minerals they need by eating a wide variety of foods. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a mineral supplement. People who have certain health problems or take some medicines may need to get less of one of the minerals. For example, people with chronic kidney disease need to limit foods that are high in potassium.

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Specifics

  • Chromium From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements) Also in Spanish
  • Iodine From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements) Also in Spanish
  • Magnesium From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements) Also in Spanish
  • Manganese From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements) Also in Spanish
  • Selenium From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements) Also in Spanish
  • Zinc From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements) Also in Spanish

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The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.