Approximately 4% of the body's mass consists of Minerals
(McArdle et al. 2000). They are classified as trace minerals
(body requires less than 100 mg/day), and major minerals (body
requires more than 100 mg/day). The trace minerals are iron,
zinc, copper, selenium, iodine, fluorine and chromium. The major
minerals are sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium,
manganese, sulphur, cobolt and chlorine. Minerals serve three
roles (McArdle et al. 2000): - They provide structure in forming
bones and teeth - They help maintain normal heart rhythm, muscle
contractility, neural conductivity, and acid-base balance - They
help regulate cellular metabolism by becoming part of enzymes
and hormones that modulate cellular activity Minerals cannot be
made in the body and must be obtained in our diet. The daily
requirements of minerals required by the body can be obtained
from a well balanced diet but, like vitamins, excess minerals
can produce toxic The recommended daily requirements of minerals
for men, women are s