Mineral Supplements

Quality

Minerals are naturally occurring elements in the earth that are passed through the soil to our veggies and fruits. Unfortunately a lot of those minerals are severely depleted in our soil because we've been using the soil for a long time.

This is why a good mineral supplement makes it to my basic nutrients list.

Minerals are generally split into 2 groups:

Bulk Minerals (Macrominerals) – needed in larger amounts – and include magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium.
Trace Minerals (Microminerals) – needed in smaller amounts – and include iodine, boron, chromium, iron, copper, germanium, manganese, selenium, molybdenum, silicon, sulfur, vanadium, and zinc.

Both are equally important for proper composition of your body's fluids, like your blood. They are also important for bone formation, muscle tone and for healthy nerve function.

Minerals are usually needed in larger quantities and as such they are usually in a separate tablet from a multi-vitamin.

I don't have any special recommendations as far as the quality is concerned other than to say to look for a separate pill. Also, as with all other supplements on my list – consult a doctor before you take it.

Especially where higher doses of Iodine and Iron are concerned (iron can become too much for women in the menopause as there's no way for us to naturally expel it from our bodies).

Quantity

Very difficult to specify as there are so many elements involved. You will always find differences in dosages in the different brands – either because of the way they are absorbed or price…

Have a look at the 3 recommended multi mineral supplements below – each has a page with their exact ingredients – you can get a general idea in there :o)