mineral deficiency
Quick Summary
Mineral deficiency occurs when the body lacks sufficient amounts of essential minerals, which are inorganic elements crucial for various bodily functions. These minerals, categorized as major minerals and trace elements, are not energy sources themselves but facilitate metabolic processes.1
Key minerals include calcium and phosphorus for bone health, iron for oxygen transport in red blood cells, and iodine for thyroid hormone production. Deficiencies can lead to conditions like osteoporosis (calcium), iron-deficiency anemia (iron), and goitre (iodine).123
Minerals are obtained from food, and their absorption can be influenced by factors like the presence of other nutrients and the food's composition. While essential, excessive intake of certain minerals can be toxic.1
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