In addition to vitamin supplements, there are also mineral nutritional supplements. These substances are very important for your health and ensure that your body can function properly. Yet not everyone knows which minerals are healthy for you and which you need less quickly.
In this article, we look at what minerals are, which nutritional supplements are most common and which you will need less quickly.
What are vitamin and minerals dietary supplements?
Minerals are nutrients that fall under the micronutrients of your food. This means that they are often present in your diet in very small amounts. Although they do not provide energy, they are important for the growth and development of the body in children and the maintenance of health in adults.Your body cannot produce minerals itself, so we have to get them from our diet. There are almost no mineral shortages in the Netherlands, but we often have a surplus of sodium (salt). When you need very little of certain minerals, we call these ‘trace elements'.
Which vitamin and minerals dietary supplements are common?
Some dietary supplements containing minerals are used more often than others. This is usually because they are less common in food, making it important to get them through supportive supplements. There are also certain supplements that your body absorbs less well, so you can also get them in larger quantities.1. Calcium
Especially older people get more prone to calcium deficiency, even though it is just important for bones and osteoarthritis symptoms. Calcium also helps support your blood pressure.
2. Mineral food supplements: Iron
Iron makes hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen through your bloodstream. In addition, it activates certain enzymes that support the production of amino acids, collagen, neurotransmitters, and hormones.
3. Magnesium
Like calcium, magnesium helps strengthen your bones. It also maintains blood pressure and helps muscles to tighten and relax. In addition, magnesium is widely used when sleeping.
4. Potassium
Potassium ensures that the body fluids are well balanced. Your heart rate remains regular and your muscles have more room to relax and tense.
5. Mineral Dietary Supplements: Zinc
Zinc allows our blood to clot when we have a wound. In addition, it contributes to the production of proteins and DNA and strengthens the immune system.
Which minerals do we need the most?
In principle, we can get all the necessary minerals through a balanced diet. However, it sometimes happens that you are deficient in certain substances due to an allergy, or because you do not like certain foods. In that case, it is useful to pay attention to the minerals that you will need faster so that you can use mineral food supplements.
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Potassium
Other nutrients, such as zinc, manganese, copper, and sodium are much more common, making us less likely to suffer from a deficiency.
Before you start taking mineral nutritional supplements, it is important to discuss this with your doctor. Then you know for sure whether it is healthy for you.