minerals

Natural inorganic substances that are components of the Earth's crust. They also occur in the human body where they play a vital role in a number of activities including enzyme synthesis, regulation of heart rate, nerve and muscle activity, bone formation and digestion. Major minerals required in quite large amounts in a balanced diet include calcium, chlorine (usually as sodium chloride), magnesium, phosphorus, potassium. and sodium. Minerals required in small amounts in dude chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and selenium.