Minerals are naturally occurring elements that play an important role in many of the body’s internal processes. They are the main components in our teeth and bones, and serve as building blocks for other cells and enzymes. Minerals also help regulate the balance of fluids in the body and control the movement of nerve impulses. Some minerals also help to deliver oxygen to cells and help carry away carbon dioxide. Without their presence, the body cannot assimilate and utilise many other nutrients, including vitamins and amino acids.

As with other nutrients, nature intended that we obtain our minerals from food. However, certain factors have contributed to make this increasingly difficult in recent times. Modern food processing and preserving methods, such as the irradiation of foods to prolong shelf life, result in the removal or reduction of their mineral content. Also, modern intensive farming methods have led to much of our soil being seriously depleted of minerals. For these reasons, some of the population may not obtain sufficient mineral intake from the diet alone so supplementation may be of benefit.