Minerals Ovierview

Calcium

Is Essential for your bone growth and ongoing health, for healthy muscles and for blood clotting. Natural sources include milk, cheese, tinned fish, green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds Low levels of vitamin D can affect calcium absorption. Wholegrains and carbonated drinks inhibit absorption. Those at risk of not getting enough calcium include growing children and teenagers, women - especially older, menopausal, pregnant or breastfeeding women - vegans, and people with lactose intolerance

Iron

Iron in the body takes the form of haemoglobin, which carries oxygen around the body and is also needed for muscle protein. Natural Sources include Cockles, dried yeast, wheatbran, liver, dried fruit and spinach The iron found in vegetables is not as easily absorbed by the body as from animal sources. Vitamin C helps the absorption of iron from vegetable sources.

Calcium and copper are needed for iron to function properly in the body. Tea and coffee drunk with a meal inhibit absorption. Women who have heavy periods, teenage girls, pregnant women, vegetarians, vegans and children between 6 months and 4 years are especially at risk of not getting enough iron.

Copper

Is needed for a healthy blood and nervous system clotting Natural Sources Green vegetables, fish, liver, wholegrain cereals, carrots and brewer's yeast

Zinc

Is needed for enzyme production and cell maintenance. Natural sources include Offal, meat, Mushrooms, yeast and eggs

Phosphorous

Is essential for healthy bones and teeth, and for producing energy and is Present in most foods.

Magnesium

Is essential for healthy bones and teeth and for producing energy and is

Present in most foods.

Omega 3 Oil - EPA (eicosapentaenoic)

Helps maintain a healthy heart, supple joints and helps early brain development in infants

Natural Sources include Oily fish (e.g. salmon, trout, sardines, pilchards, mackerel) and some other unsaturated oils - vegetable oils like grapeseed, Soya and sunflower oils. The tinning process destroys the omega 3 oils, although tinned fish still contains other vital nutrients

Omega-3 oil Alpha linolenic acid

(converted to EPA, DHA and GLA in the body)

Natural Sources including Some plants, like evening primrose oil

Omega-3 Oil DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)

Helps maintain a healthy heart, supple joints and helps early brain development in infants Natural Sources Oily fish (e.g. salmon, trout, sardines, pilchards, mackerel) and some other unsaturated oils - vegetable oils like grapeseed, Soya and sunflower oils The British Nutrition Foundation recommends two servings of oily fish a week to ensure adequate intake of omega 3 oils. The tinning process destroys the omega 3 oils, although tinned fish still contains other vital nutrients.

Omega 6

Natural Sources include Grains, vegetable oils and meat. Some plants like evening primrose oil Meat-heavy diets may contain overly large quantities of omega-6 oils. Vegetarians are those most likely to need a supplement