Mineral salts: functions, excess and deficiency

body), are part of the constitution of many tissues and represent essential factors for biological functions and for growth.

Mineral salts are present in the human organism both bound to organic molecules and in inorganic form in two different states:

• Solid state: as crystals (in bones and teeth);
• In solution: both in ionized and non-ionized form (in blood and biological liquids).

Mineral salts can pass from one state to another, as happens, for example, for calcium which - in the case of hypocalcemia - is moved from the bones (where it is found in crystalline form) to plasma (in ionic form).

Classification of Mineral Salts

Based on the daily requirement, in human nutrition, mineral salts are classified into:

• Macroelements;
• Trace elements;
• Microelements.

, magnesium, sulfur, sodium, potassium, chlorine. The daily need for these mineral salts is in the order of grams or tenths of a gram.

Element Percentage in the Human Body Oxygen 65% Carbon 18,5 Hydrogen 9,5 Nitrogen 3,2 Football 1,5 Phosphorus 1 Potassium 0,4 Sulfur 0,3 Sodium 0,2

Chlorine

0,2 Magnesium 0,3 Trace elements: boron, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, silicon, tin, vanadium, zinc < 1% , cobalt, fluorine): minerals indispensable for the organism, they are part of organic molecules responsible for vital roles; their deficiency would compromise important physiological functions.

Probably essential trace elements (silicon, manganese, nickel, vanadium).

Potentially toxic trace elements (arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury, aluminum, lithium, strontium): they probably perform important functions at very low concentrations.

etc.), other extrinsic ones (chemical form of the mineral, presence of anti-nutritional factors that limit its absorption or, vice versa, favor it).

from deficiency, especially in particular physiological conditions such as pregnancy.

Mineral salts are also contained in drinking water. It is also on the basis of their content that the question should be answered: how to choose the water to drink?

and the maintenance of the acid-base balance.

The table below shows the main functions of some mineral salts and some examples of foods that contain them.

Element Function Foods Calcium (Ca) It forms the rigid material of bones and teeth. Regulates blood clotting and muscle functioning. If it is missing, the bones weaken. Milk and derivatives, green vegetables, legumes, cereals. Phosphorus (P) Together with calcium it contributes to the formation of the rigid material of bones and teeth. It is important for the energy transformations that take place in cells. Milk, meat, fish, eggs, liver, cereals, legumes. Potassium (K) Regulates the exchanges between cells and body fluids. It is present in all foods, especially cereals, vegetables and meat. Sodium (Na) Regulates the exchanges between cells and body fluids. It is useful for the balance of water in the body. It is the constituent, together with chlorine, of table salt. Chlorine (Cl) It is important for the formation of gastric juice. It is the constituent, together with sodium, of cooking salt. Magnesium (Mg) It carries out some chemical reactions in the organism. Cereals, legumes, almonds, walnuts. Iron (Fe) It becomes part of the hemoglobin molecule that makes up red blood cells. It carries oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. If it is missing, you have forms of anemia. Meat, liver, eggs, legumes, cereals, vegetables. Sulfur (S)

Enter the constitution of proteins.

Meat, fish, milk and derivatives, legumes, cereals. Manganese (Mn) It carries out some chemical reactions in the organism. It carries out some chemical reactions in the organism. Iodine (I) It regulates the activity of the thyroid gland. If it is missing, the gland becomes enlarged and the characteristic goiter. Sea salt, fish and marine molluscs, vegetables, eggs. For further information: Mineral Salts Requirement Mineral Salts Supplements Mineral Salts in Foods Bioavailability of Mineral Salts