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Nutrition
Minerals
When you think of minerals, you might think first of things like silver and gold. Those are minerals, but some types of minerals are also found in food. Just like your body needs vitamins, your body needs minerals for growth and health.
There are two kinds of minerals in food: macrominerals and trace minerals. Macrominerals are minerals your body needs in larger amounts. Below is a list of the macrominerals, some of what they do, and good food sources.
Macromineral | Actions | Sources |
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Chloride (KLOR-eyed) |
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Magnesium (mag-NEE-zee-uhm) |
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Phosphorus (FOSS-fer-uhs) |
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Potassium (puh-TASS-ee-uhm) |
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Note: Many people get too much sodium. |
Your body needs just small amounts of trace minerals. Below is a list of the trace minerals, some of what they do, and good food sources.
Trace mineral | Actions | Sources |
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Copper (KOP-er) |
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Fluoride (FLOOR-eyed) |
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Iodine (EYE-uh-dyn) |
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Selenium (sih-LEE-nee-uhm) |
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Content last updated September 22, 2009