Minerals in nutrition

Abstract

Minerals in our diet are often divided into two groups: macro- and microelements. Microelements are required in smaller quantities and have different roles in organism: structural role (calcium and magnesium), regulatory role (regulation of acidity and osmotic pressure), catalytic role (enzymes), and different specific roles. Metabolism of minerals differs from metabolism of organic substances: organic molecules are absorbed up to 90%, while minerals only 10 - 40%. The most important alkaline and alkaline earth metals in organism are Ca, Mg, Na and K. Transition metals are usually present as the trace elements in organism (most abundant are Fe, Zn, Cu, Co, Mn, Cr, Ni). In recent years, scientists showed a great interest in nutrition and dietetics and made some new concepts which considered that nutrition does not have an universal character. .