| Mineral | What the mineral does | Significant food sources |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | Maintains fluid and electrolyte balance, supports muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmissions | salt, soy sauce, bread, milk, meats |
| Chloride | Maintains fluid and electrolyte balance, aids in digestion | salt, soy sauce, milk, eggs, meats |
| Potassium | Maintains fluid and electrolyte balance, cell integrity, muscle contractions and nerve impulse transmission | potatoes, acorn squash, artichoke, spinach, broccoli, carrots, green beans, tomato juice, avocado, grapefruit juice, watermelon, banana, strawberries, cod, milk |
| Calcium | Formation of bones and teeth, supports blood clotting | milk, yogurt, cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, tofu, sardines, green beans, spinach, broccoli |
| Phosphorus | Formation of cells, bones and teeth, maintains acid-base balance | all animal foods (meats, fish, poultry, eggs, milk) |
| Magnesium | Supports bone mineralization, protein building, muscular contraction, nerve impulse transmission, immunity | spinach, broccoli, artichokes, green beans, tomato juice, navy beans, pinto beans, black-eyed peas, sunflower seeds, tofu, cashews, halibut |
| Iron | Part of the protein hemoglobin (carries oxygen throughout body's cells) | artichoke, parsley, spinach, broccoli, green beans, tomato juice, tofu, clams, shrimp, beef liver |
| Zinc | A part of many enzymes, involved in production of genetic material and proteins, transports vitamin A, taste perception, wound healing, sperm production and the normal development of the fetus | spinach, broccoli, green peas, green beans, tomato juice,lentils, oysters, shrimp, crab, turkey (dark meat), lean ham, lean ground beef, lean sirloin steak, plain yogurt, Swiss cheese, tofu, ricotta cheese |
| Selenium | Antioxidant. Works with vitamin E to protect body from oxidation | seafood, meats and grains |
| Iodine | Component of thyroid hormones that help regulate growth, development and metabolic rate | salt, seafood, bread, milk, cheese |
| Copper | Necessary for the absorption and utilization of iron, supports formation of hemoglobin and several enzymes | meats, water |
| Manganese | Facilitates many cell processes | widespread in foods |
| Fluoride | Involved in the formation of bones and teeth, helps to make teeth resistant to decay | fluoridated drinking water, tea, seafood |
| Chromium | Associated with insulin and is required for the release of energy from glucose | vegetable oils, liver, brewer's yeast, whole grains, cheese, nuts |
| Molybdenum | Facilitates many cell processes | legumes, organ meats |
