Minerals

MINERAL	U.S. RDA	FUNCTIONS
Boron ***	**	Possibly plays a role in maintaining strong bones; Affects calcium and magnesium metabolism; May be needed for proper membrane function
Calcium	1000 mg	Builds strong bones and teeth; Involved in nerve transmission and muscle contraction
Chromium	**	As part of Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF), it works with insulin to regulate blood sugar levels
Copper	2 mg	Essential for red blood cell formation, hemoglobin synthesis; Involved in many enzyme systems including, superoxide dismutase (SOD), a major antioxidant enzyme system
Iodine	150 mcg	Needed for proper functioning of the thyroid gland and production of thyroid hormones
Iron	18 mg	Prevents anemia; as a constituent of hemoglobin, transports oxygen throughout the body
Magnesium	400 mg	Needed in many enzyme systems, especially those involved with energy production; Essential for proper heartbeat and nerve transmission; Constituent of bones and teeth
Manganese	**	Cofactor in many enzyme systems including those involved in bone formation, energy production and protein metabolism
Molybdenum	**	Required for proper growth and development; Plays a role in fat and nucleic acid metabolism; Needed for proper sulfur metabolism
Phosphorus	1000 mg	Maintains strong bones and teeth; Necessary for muscle and nerve function
Potassium	**	An electrolyte needed to maintain fluid balance, proper heartbeat and nerve transmission
Selenium	**	As an antioxidant, it is a constituent of glutathione peroxidase; Protects vitamin E
Silicon ***	**	Needed for proper bone structure and growth
Vanadium ***	**	Vanadium's necessity in humans has not been established yet, but it is believed to play a role in helping blood sugar (glucose) to enter muscle cells similar to the function that the hormone insulin performs
Zinc	15 mg	Component of insulin; required for blood sugar control; Needed for proper taste and hearing; Important in wound healing and enzyme activation

** No U.S. RDA has been established
*** Nutrients not proven to be essential for humans