Nutrients are substances that our bodies need to grow and function. Since our body cannot make it, we have to get it from a variety of foods. Carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins are called the 5 macronutrients. Although water is not a nutrient, it is a major component of our body and essential to sustain life.
Carbohydrates are an important calorie component that provides most of the calories your body needs. It is abundant in rice, barley, wheat, potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc. Proteins are the building blocks of cells. Protein is mainly used to build things like muscle, skin, hair, and nails. Fat maintains body temperature, gives strength, and makes the skin soft and shiny. Minerals are nutrients used to build bones, teeth, and blood and include calcium, iron, phosphorus, and sodium. Vitamins help the activity of each part of the body, and if it is lacking, it will not grow well and it is easy to get various diseases.
Vitamins and minerals act as catalysts for your metabolism. Vitamins work with other nutrients to act as catalysts that allow carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to be used for energy. Minerals make up only 4% of the body's composition, but are essential nutrients for the body to function properly. Without this mineral, no chemical reaction takes place in the body. This means that the nerve transmission stops and the body does not respond at all. In other words, it is a small but important nutrient and a building block of the body. Minerals can be divided into 7 major minerals that our body needs most and trace minerals important in small amounts. Because it is found naturally in certain foods, a balanced diet is sufficient, but a deficiency can lead to a variety of health problems. Vitamins and minerals are good for our body, but excessive consumption can be toxic. In addition, each person's needs are different, so the recommended amount is adjusted to the safe minimum amount required by the body. In other words, the recommended amount is a safe allowance for most people.
7 Major Minerals
1. Calcium: An essential mineral for bone and dental health. It plays many different roles in the body, including nerve and muscle (regulating the contraction and relaxation of muscles) functions. Calcium deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, decreased bone density, and rickets. It is found in leafy vegetables, dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt, and fish eaten with bones such as anchovies and whitefish. However, taking more than 2500 mg per day can cause serious side effects such as kidney damage, so you should avoid taking more than 500 mg at a time.
2. Potassium: Important for normal muscle and nerve reactivity, heart rhythm, especially pressure and balance of intracellular fluid. That is, it is responsible for the activity of muscles and nerves and the balance of fluids. A deficiency can cause muscle cramps and arrhythmias. It is found in milk, broccoli, and bananas. Long-term cortisone administration has also been shown to cause potassium deficiency.
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3. Magnesium: Present in bones and all cells, necessary for immune system and muscle and nerve health. Magnesium is also an essential nutrient for energy use and an essential mineral to effectively perform the role of calcium. It helps nerve and muscle function to prevent muscle cramps, relieves stress, and acts as a natural stabilizer. It is also found in many stomach and laxatives because it relieves heartburn and constipation. It is involved in the synthesis of hormones to relieve premenstrual syndrome and has the effect of protecting the health of the cardiovascular system. Deficiency can cause muscle disease, vomiting, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and diabetic coma and acidosis. The initial symptom is nausea. If you have heart or kidney problems, you should talk to your doctor before taking any supplements. Taking more than 350 mg per day may cause diarrhea in some people. It is found in abundance in whole grains, leafy vegetables, nuts and legumes.
4. Sulfur: As an essential component of many proteins, it plays an important role in the creation of new body tissues. It is found in red meat, broccoli, and fish.
5. Phosphorus: As a component of the cell nucleus and phosphoprotein, it forms bones and teeth together with calcium, which is necessary for 80% of bone health and is involved in the process of obtaining energy from food. Deficiency weakens the muscles. It is found in red milk, cheese, egg yolks, meat and fish.
6. Sodium: Regulates the amount of water in the body. Deficiency can cause body edema, heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, and more. It can occur infrequently, from headaches to major coma. It is found in salt, soy sauce, ham, sweets, cheese, tomato ketchup, mayonnaise, potato chips, convenience foods, and bacon.
7. Chloride: The main component of stomach acid. Deficiency is very rare. It is found in lettuce, tomatoes, and olives.
Trace Minerals
1. Iron: Allows red blood cells to carry oxygen and helps generate energy. Deficiency can cause anemia, weakness, and fatigue. It is found in liver, red meat, egg yolk, and leafy vegetables such as spinach.
2. Zinc: It is a mineral necessary for the production of various enzymes. It is an essential nutrient for normal immune function and cell division. It is a mineral that acts as an antioxidant and helps the action of many hormones. It promotes growth hormone to help children grow, and because it is involved in the production of testosterone, the male hormone, it is helpful for sperm-related infertility and prostate health. It also relieves cold symptoms, speeds up recovery and restores appetite. It also speeds up wound healing and removes white spots on nails. It balances acid and alkali in body fluids, is necessary for DNA, insulin, and protein synthesis, and has the effect of keeping the gastrointestinal tract healthy. A deficiency prevents the body from functioning normally, causing diarrhea and pneumonia. Consuming more than 40 mg of zinc per day can cause nausea, dizziness and vomiting. Additionally, increased levels of zinc in the body may decrease the ability of copper to absorb. It is found in whole grains, shellfish and red meat.
3. Selenium: Acts as an antioxidant that protects human cells from stress. It is a representative antioxidant along with zinc. Therefore, it is applied to heart disease, cancer treatment, liver disease, etc. In particular, it is an essential ingredient in protecting the health of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is an organ that regulates the body's energy metabolism and is involved in development and growth. Selenium supplementation is necessary if you have thyroid disease. It also helps in the prevention and treatment of dandruff and relieves prostate problems in men and menopausal symptoms in women. People who eat produce grown on selenium-deficient soils are at risk for deficiency. Only one or two Brazil nuts can provide your daily need for selenium. It is found in grains, red meat, and nuts.
4. Copper: A mineral necessary for many enzymes and iron metabolism. Rarely, a deficiency can cause anemia. It is a mineral that can be absorbed naturally in water pipes and sanitary products. Therefore, if you are in a hazardous environment, you should be careful not to overdose on copper. Because it promotes the absorption of iron, it boosts the body's vitality and acts as an antioxidant, but excessive intake can interfere with the absorption of another mineral, zinc. Contained in shellfish, nuts, and drinking water.
5. Iodine: Important for normal thyroid function. Iodine is an essential mineral for the synthesis of the thyroid hormone thyroxine. Cells need oxygen for metabolic processes, and thyroid hormones are responsible for supplying oxygen to each cell and keeping the body's metabolic rate normal. Therefore, if the supply of iodine is insufficient, the metabolic reaction slows down, the body's vitality decreases, and the body becomes tired and lethargic. In addition, it generates heat to maintain a constant body temperature and promotes protein synthesis, helping the development of the central nervous system. Deficiency can cause problems in growth and development, leading to physical disability and learning disabilities. It is found in fish, grains, and crustaceans.
6. Fluoride: Helps maintain healthy bones and teeth. Deficiency can increase cavities. It is found in fish, drinking water, and tea.
7. Manganese, Chromium, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Badyum, Cobalt: All required in very small amounts. Manganese is a trace-needed nutrient, but it is necessary for building the body's skeleton and maintaining good health. Like zinc, it is a mineral involved in various enzymatic reactions in the body and is particularly closely related to 'SOD (Superoxide dismutase)'. SOD prevents lipid peroxidation by destroying free radicals. In other words, manganese also acts as an antioxidant. Chromium is an essential mineral for maintaining normal insulin function and antioxidant activity. It is recommended for non-diabetic patients with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. If chromium is not ingested, zinc can partially replace chromium. Molybdenum is required for the activity of oxidative and reductase enzymes and promotes iron utilization.
☝ Raspberry contains the highest amount of omega-3 fatty acids among all raw fruits. 100g of raspberries contain 1/4 of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C, especially vitamin K and manganese, and are rich in beneficial antioxidants.
☝ Rickets : A growth disorder that does not support body weight because calcium and phosphorus do not accumulate properly in the bones due to lack of vitamin D during the growth period.
☝ Osteomalacia : In adults, calcium and phosphorus are less accumulated in the bones, and the bone tissue is weakened due to lack of vitamin D.
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