Health Informative Council

In addition to vitamins, most of the multi-vitamins contain minerals. The mineral, just like the vitamins, are needed for our body to work at its best. Mineral are needed in bone and tooth building, regulate fluids inside and outside each cell and help in transforming food to energy.
Here are the essential minerals ;

• Calcium – Is the most prevalent mineral in the body and exists in all bones and teeth. Calcium is also needed for proper blood clotting. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for an adult is 1,000 mg.
• Iron – Needed for transporting oxygen in red blood cells, for making hemoglobin (part of the red blood cells). RDA is 18 mg a day.
• Potassium – Helps in muscle recuperation, helps in building the nerve system.
• Magnesium – Cell repair, converts food to energy, helps regulate body temperature RDA is 300 mg. a day.
• Omega 3 fatty acids – help in regulating cholesterol and overall heart health. Anti inflammatory, and help in brain function and memory.

Trace minerals are those nutritional minerals that are found in the body only in small amounts but when they are missing, it can cause health problems.

• Chromium – Is supposed to help us process glucose and help in the creation of lean muscles.
• Zinc – Immune system booster, fights viral infections, helps in breaking down foods. RDA – 11 mg. a day.
• Selenium -200 mcg a day. Selenium helps the body fight abnormalities in the form of different cancers.
• Copper – Is needed to help the enzymes with metabolism.
• Iodine – Helps the thyroid gland produce hormones. RDA is150 mcg a day.
• Niacin – Helps control cholesterol and lower triglycerides.
• Psyllium – Fiber. Also good for regulation cholesterol, boosts the effects of statins – Cholesterol lowering drugs.
• Phosphorus – 800 mg a day

Please keep in mind that dietary supplements may cause an allergic reaction in some people, and may interact with other medication you are taking. Since this field of nutritional supplements is not yet fully regulated, results may be different from one brand to another. It is a good idea to tell your doctor which minerals you are planning to take.