Minerals are essential nutrients for human tissue formation and physiological function maintenance. Essential minerals are sometimes divided into major minerals (macrominerals) and trace minerals (microminerals), based on the percentage of total body weight or the amount required by adults.
- Macrominerals refer to minerals that adults need more than 100 mg per day or account for more than 0.01 percent of total body weight. These minerals include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chlorine and sulfur.
- Microminerals refer to minerals with a daily requirement of 1 to 100 mg or that make up less than 0.01 percent of body weight for adults, including iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc and selenium.
Even though it makes up only 5% of the average human diet, the mineral plays an important role in maintaining normal health and function. Minerals can help build strong bones and teeth, control fluids inside and outside cells, and convert food into energy. In addition to this, minerals support the health of the muscles, heart and brain. Minerals are essential nutrients for the body, making it important to get enough minerals. As opposed to nutrients such as protein and fat, minerals cannot be synthesized in the body and must be supplemented through diet.
As a manufacturer of ingredients for dietary supplements, Alfa Chemistry has been operating for many years. We offer a wide range of mineral ingredients for use in nutritional supplements, including calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium and other minerals. Please click on the images below to learn more.
Key Minerals Products
Alfa Chemistry not only provides some major minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium, but also provides several minor minerals such as zinc and other minerals. The specific functions, food sources, deficiency and toxicity of calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, and zinc are shown in the table below.
| Minerals | Functions | Food Sources | Deficiency | Toxicity |
|---|
Calcium | - Strengthens bones and teeth.
- Helps blood clot.
- Assists in muscle and blood vessel contraction.
- Supports the conduction function of the nervous system.
| Milk and dairy products, dark green vegetables,
sardine, sesame | Osteoporosis. | Affects zinc absorption. |
Iron | - Makes hemoglobin.
- Contributes to transport oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body.
| Beef, pork, yolk, dark green vegetables, spinach, beans | Iron-deficiency anemia. | Constipate and affects other minerals absorption. |
Magnesium | - Builds strong bones.
- Helps make protein.
- Assists the conduction function of the nervous system.
| Dark green vegetables, whole grain cereal, Meat, poultry, nuts, brown rice, beans | Affects heart function. Musclele weakness. | Diarrheaa. |
Zinc | - Contributes to the immune system's normal work.
- Assists in the production of cells, enzymes.
- Helps wound healing.
- Lowers inflammation.
| Oysters, dairy products, nuts, poultry, beans, nuts, crab, lobster, whole grains. | Decreased taste acuity, and lower immunity. | Vomiting, epigastric pain, lethargy and fatigue, affects iron absorption. |
Potassium | - Helps maintain normal levels of fluid inside our cells.
- Helps muscles to contract.
- Supports normal blood pressure.
| Leafy greens, dried fruits, beans, lentils, potatoes, spinach, broccoli, bananas | Muscle weakness. | Affects heart function. |
Health Benefits of Minerals
Some minerals contribute to muscle health. For example, magnesium helps relieve muscle soreness, calcium and potassium help muscles contract. Phosphocreatine, a form of phosphorus, serves as an energy (ATP) store at the onset of muscle contraction.
- Minerals and cardiovascular
Magnesium, sodium, and potassium support cardiovascular health. Magnesium stabilizes the heart rhythm, and sodium helps maintain normal blood pressure. Potassium levels are linked to blood pressure.
- Minerals and the immune system
Magnesium and iodine help balance the immune system and keep the immune system functioning properly. In addition to helping form antibodies, iron, selenium, zinc, and copper activate lymphocytes and promote proliferation.
- Minerals and mental health
Iron is an indispensable element for people to keep their minds clear and improve their concentration, because it helps form hemoglobin. And magnesium can relieve anxiety.
Alfa Chemistry provides a wide range of ingredients for nutritional supplements, including calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium and other minerals. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Our products and services are for research use only and cannot be used for any clinical purposes.
