The most important minerals for our bodies are calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, chlorine, sodium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper and iodine. We also require much smaller amounts of minerals known as ‘trace’ minerals. These include selenium, lead and chromium.
Minerals work together within the body, so the concept of suggesting that you can take a single vitamin or mineral to help with one problem can be quite misleading. Take calcium, for example. Many people think that drinking plenty of milk will provide enough calcium for strong teeth and bones but the fact is calcium is only one role player in the line-up of minerals your body needs to ensure this.
Supplements can be used as a way to top up the essential nutrients that we aren’t getting enough of. Unfortunately there isn’t an easy way to recognise what minerals and vitamins you might be missing. If you start to feel unwell then a trip to the doctor might reveal a deficiency in a certain nutrient. But most of the time, imbalances are only minor and will go unnoticed.
This causes long-term problems, however, as these deficiencies can put you at risk of a number of major health issues including osteoporosis from a lack of calcium or anaemia from a reduced level of iron.
If you start to feel tired or sluggish, or experience several bouts of illness these could be warning signs that you need extra vitamins to boost your immune system.