Nutrients and Health Benchmark Assessment

...

Importance of Minerals

The human body requires seven major minerals and a minimum of eight trace minerals on a daily basis. Major minerals are essential minerals required in an amount greater than 100mg/day. Any mineral that is required in an amount less 100mg/day is called a trace mineral (McGuire, 2013). A few examples of minerals would be calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Their functions vary in aiding in the production of bones, nerve impulse transmission and maintenance and repair of tissues and cells, generation of DNA and RNA, energy production and stimulation of enzymes that aid to create balance of calcium concentration (Srivastava, 2015). Various foods contain different types of healthy minerals that the body needs to function. Calcium can be found in almonds, brown rice, apricots and spinach. Phosphorus can be found in foods such as squash, mushrooms, oats and carrots. Magnesium can be found in foods like tuna, pineapple, and honey (NaturoDoc, n.d). There are hundreds of examples that can be considered preferred food sources of minerals.

Conclusion

Including the correct kinds of nutrients in our daily diet benefits the way our body functions and our overall health status. Macronutrients play an important role in many areas of body functions. They are energy sources, are the major building blocks of cells, muscles and bones, aid in complex internal communication, strengthen the immune system and protect vital organs. We have talked about how vitamins are critical to the human health maintenance by taking part of cell function, development and growth. And lastly, we read that minerals are important in the development and production of bones, nerve impulse transmission, the maintenance of tissue and cells and the production of DNA and RNA.

References

Harvard School of Public Health. (2016). Carbohydrates. Retrieved June 08, 2016, from

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates/

Harvard School of Public Health. (2016). Proteins. Retrieved June 08, 2016, from

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/protein/

McGuire, M., & Beerman, K. A. (2013). NUTR. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

MedlinePlus. (2016, March 10). Minerals. Retrieved June 08, 2016, from

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/minerals.html

NaturoDoc. (n.d.). Food Sources of Mineral Nutrients. Retrieved June 09, 2016, from

http://www.naturodoc.com/library/nutrition/food.htm

Srivatava, M. (2015, September 14). Why Are Minerals Important to Your Diet? Retrieved June

09, 2016, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/299695-why-are-minerals-important-to-our-diet/

University of Illinois. (2014). McKinley Health Center. Macronutrients: The Importance of

Carbohydrate, Protein, and Fat. University of Illinois. Retrieved June 08, 2016, from http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/handouts/macronutrients.htm

Zieve, D. (2015, February 2). Vitamins. Retrieved June 08, 2016, from

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002399.htm