A mineral is a chemical element (as opposed to an organic compound as in the case of a vitamin.  Minerals are necessary for the health and maintenance of bodily functions.

Food Sources of Minerals

Minerals primarily make their way into our bodies by way of the foods that grow from the ground and the animals that live off the land. These and others are the primary sources of the minerals our bodies need to survive. So all whole organic animal foods, dairy, fruits and vegetables contain minerals.

Macro Mineral

A common definition of Macro Minerals includes minerals found in a typical adult in quantities greater than 5 grams.  They are also minerals required by a typical adult human bodies in quantities greater than 100 milligrams a day.

Macro minerals are calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium

Micro Mineral

Acommon definition of Micro Minerals are those found in a typical adult in quantities less than 5 grams.  They are also those required by the body at less than 100 milligrams a day.

Micro minerals are chromium, copper, manganese, selenium, sulphur and zinc.

Trace element

Those minerals are those that the body only needs in trace amounts to function.  Examples of Trace Elements include: Flourine; Iodine; Cobalt; Molybdenum; Silicon, and others.

Mineral functions

We like this UK website for specific definitions of how the body uses minerals and what happens when we don’t get enough.

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