Minerals

Essential mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions. Critical for sleep, stress response, muscle function, and cardiovascular health.

Zinc is an essential trace mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions, playing key roles in immune function, wound healing, and protein synthesis. It is critical for DNA synthesis and cell division.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body, essential for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth. It also plays critical roles in muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and blood clotting.

Iron is an essential trace element required for oxygen transport, energy metabolism, and DNA synthesis. It is a key component of hemoglobin and myoglobin and is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies worldwide.

Potassium is an essential macromineral and electrolyte that regulates fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction. Adequate intake is strongly associated with lower blood pressure and reduced stroke risk.

Selenium is an essential trace mineral that functions as a component of selenoproteins, which play critical roles in antioxidant defense, thyroid hormone metabolism, and immune function. Adequate selenium status is linked to reduced oxidative stress and cancer risk.

Iodine is an essential trace mineral required for thyroid hormone synthesis, which regulates metabolism, growth, and development. Deficiency remains a global health concern and is the leading preventable cause of intellectual disability worldwide.

Copper is an essential trace mineral that serves as a cofactor for numerous enzymes involved in energy production, iron metabolism, connective tissue formation, and antioxidant defense. It is critical for proper nervous system function and red blood cell formation.

Chromium is an essential trace mineral that enhances insulin signaling and plays a role in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. It is most commonly supplemented to support healthy blood sugar levels.

Boron is a trace mineral that supports bone metabolism, hormone regulation, and cognitive function. While not yet classified as an essential nutrient, emerging evidence suggests it plays important roles in calcium and magnesium metabolism.

Phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral in the body, essential for bone formation, energy metabolism via ATP, and DNA/RNA synthesis. Most adults obtain adequate phosphorus from diet, making supplementation rarely necessary.

Silicon is a trace mineral involved in collagen synthesis and connective tissue integrity. Emerging research suggests it supports bone density, skin elasticity, and hair and nail strength, though human evidence is still developing.

Sodium is an essential electrolyte that regulates fluid balance, nerve impulse transmission, and muscle contraction. While critical for survival, most populations consume excess sodium, making supplementation rarely needed outside of specific clinical or athletic contexts.

Molybdenum is an essential trace mineral that serves as a cofactor for four critical enzymes involved in sulfur amino acid metabolism, purine degradation, and detoxification of sulfites. Deficiency is extremely rare due to low requirements and widespread availability in foods.

Manganese is an essential trace mineral that serves as a cofactor for enzymes involved in bone formation, antioxidant defense, and carbohydrate metabolism. It is a key component of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), the primary mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme.

Fluoride is a trace mineral well-established for its role in dental health and cavity prevention through enamel remineralization. Its use as a dietary supplement is limited and controversial, with most benefits derived from topical application in toothpaste and water fluoridation.

Vanadium is an ultra-trace mineral with insulin-mimetic properties observed in animal and cell studies. Human evidence is very limited, and it is not considered an essential nutrient. Supplementation is not recommended for general use.