Minerals are organic substances needed in our body in small amounts for healthy growth and development.
Mineral
|
Source
|
Function
|
Deficiency
Disease
|
Calcium
|
Cheese, milk.
Eggs. green vegetables
|
- strong bones
and teeth
- blood clotting - muscle and nerve activities |
- rickets
- osteoporosis - prolonged bleeding - muscular cramps |
Sodium
|
Tables salt,
cheese, meat
|
- maintains body
fluids
- proper functioning of nerves |
- muscular
cramps
|
Iron
|
Meat, eggs,
green vegetables
|
- needed to form
hemoglobin in red blood cells
|
- anemia
|
Iodine
|
Seafood, iodised
salt
|
- needed to make
hormones of the thyroid glands
|
- goitre
(swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck)
|
Phosphorus
|
Eggs, meat,
milk, cheese, vegetables
|
- strong bones
and teeth
- muscle contraction - stores energy |
- rickets
- weakness |
Potassium
|
Meat. Nuts,
bananas
|
- maintains body
fluids
- proper functioning of nerves - regulation of heartbeat |
- weak muscle
- paralysis |
