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Minerals

ZINC

Zinc is an essential mineral that is found in every cell in our body. It stimulates the activity of about 100 enzymes, substances that promote biochemical reactions in your body. Among its many functions, zinc maintains a healthy immune system, is needed for wound healing, helps maintain your sense of taste and smell, and is needed for DNA synthesis

IRON

Iron has been used for therapeutic uses for thousands of years. It was used by the Egyptians to cure baldness and by the Greeks it was used in wine to restore male potency. It is the most plentiful element on earth and it is an essential trace mineral for humans. Two-thirds of the iron present in the body—about 3.5 g to 4.5 g—are in the blood and the rest is stored in the liver, spleen, bone marrow and muscles. Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, myoglobin and a cofactor of several essential enzymes. Of the total iron in the body, 60 to 70 percent is stored in hemoglobin (the red part of red blood cells—a component of myoglobin, an iron-protein complex in muscles. When the muscles work harder this complex helps in getting them extra energy. Good sources include bread (enriched), mussels, egg yolk, oysters, liver, tuna, lean beef, lean lamb, lean, pork, lean ham and lean chicken. The RDI of iron is 7mg/ day for men and non-menstruating females and 12-16mg/ day for menstruating women.

CALCIUM

Calcium is crucial in bone health, blood clotting as well as muscle and nerve function

Calcium is found in several forms including calcium citrate and calcium gluconate. It is the most abundant mineral in the human body. While an average man contains about 1-1/2 kg of calcium, an average woman has about 1 kg, where 99 percent of that is in bones and teeth. The remaining 1 percent is located in the blood, lymph and other body fluids, cell membranes and structures inside cells.

Calcium participates in the metabolic functions necessary for normal activity of nervous, muscular, skeletal systems and plays an important role in normal heart function, kidney function, blood clotting, and blood-vessel integrity. Additionally, it helps to utilize vitamin B-12. It is available in both natural and synthetic sources, and some forms are only available by prescription.

Good sources of calcium come from dairy products. A deficiency of calcium can lead to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis refer to the total decreases in bone mass resulting in increased risk to bone fractures, particular around the wrist, hip and spine

WATER

Water is considered the most vital nutrient. Water content in the average male is 60% and 51% in females. Males are generally higher due to a greater muscle mass, which stores water. Daily requirements of around 2.5litres is lost from the body.

FIBRE

Fibre refers to the portion of plant foods that is not broken down or absorbed by the digestive system. There are two types of dietary fibre

  • Soluble -- helps to lower blood cholesterol by binding bile acids.
  • Insoluble -- decreases constipation and speed digestive transit time.

Sources include cereals, grains, legumes, fruit and vegetables.