

The recommended intake for magnesium is 420 mg per day for an adult male and 320 mg per day for an adult female. Legumes, lentils, spices, seafood, and dairy products also contribute to dietary magnesium. Leafy green vegetables also provide a significant magnesium amount the chlorophyll is found in the vegetables containing magnesium. Food processing, such as refining whole wheat, substantially reduces its magnesium content (by over 75%). Foods high in magnesium include nuts, seeds, and wholegrain cereals. A magnesium-deficient diet is associated with decreased parathyroid hormone levels and vitamin D activation, leading to bone remodeling damage. Magnesium is involved in many body functions, including bone mineralization, enzymatic reactions, platelet activity, and calcium regulation. The UL set for phosphorous is 4,000 milligrams per day for adults and 3,000 milligrams per day for people over age seventy.Īpproximately 60% of magnesium in the human body is stored in the skeleton, making up about 1% of mineralized bone tissue. The recommended intake of phosphorus is 700 mg per day. The absorption of phosphorus varies by dietary source food additives are more readily absorbed. Phosphorus that has been added to food in the form of an additive or preservative (inorganic phosphorus) is found in foods such as fast foods, canned and bottled drinks, ready to eat foods and most processed foods.

Phosphorus can be found in foods (organic phosphorus) and is naturally found in protein-rich foods such as meats, poultry, fish, nuts, beans, and dairy. In addition to serving as a primary mineral in the skeleton, phosphorus in the form of phosphate is a component of the backbones of RNA and DNA, the cellular energy-storing molecule, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and phospholipids. About 85% of it is housed in the skeleton. Phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral in the human body. For people who eat a variety of foods, these factors have little effect on nutritional status. Other components in foods such as phytic acid and oxalic acid (found in spinach, collard greens, and beans) can inhibit its absorption. For example, vitamin D improves calcium absorption. Certain factors can impact calcium absorption. Sources of calcium include dairy products, leafy vegetables, legumes, sardines, and fortified orange juice. The body needs about 1000-1200 mg of calcium a day to maintain levels. Low calcium levels can lead to osteoporosis and bone fractures. Different hormones regulate calcium levels parathyroid hormone and calcitriol work together to increase calcium levels in the blood, while calcitonin does the opposite and decreases blood calcium levels. Blood calcium levels are controlled very carefully so that if blood levels drop, the body will rapidly respond by stimulating bone resorption and releasing stored calcium into the blood. Calcium is also needed to help secrete hormones and enzymes and to send messages through the nervous system. Calcium plays several vital roles in the body, including bone (skeleton) mineralization, muscle contraction, and blood clot formation. The most well-known calcium function is to build and strengthen bones and teeth. About 99% of it is stored in bone tissue. Mineral TypeĬalcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chlorideįluoride, arsenic, boron, nickel, silicon, vanadium, cobaltĬalcium plays a vital role in the body. It is important to note that the quantities needed are irrelevant to a mineral’s importance as both macro and trace are necessary for optimal metabolic function. Adults require trace minerals in amounts of about 1-100 mg per day, and ultratrace elements are required by adults in amounts less than 1 mg per day. On the other hand, trace (also called micro) are needed in smaller amounts and are sometimes further divided into an ultratrace. Major minerals are also found in larger amounts in the body and are required by adults in amounts greater than 100 mg per day. Those that are needed in large amounts are called major (also called macro).

They are classified based on the amounts needed for human metabolism. Minerals are inorganic elements that come from the earth (water, soil, plants). In this chapter, we’ll take a look at how your body uses minerals to support good health. Minerals serve as structural components of bones and teeth, as enzyme cofactors, assist with nerve impulses, and help support the immune and circulatory system. Minerals make up about 4% of your total body weight however, they have many functions and play an important role in your body. Foods that increase or decrease absorption.How minerals impact bone and blood health.Food sources of major and trace minerals.
