Minerals

Minerals are the quiet drivers of human health, essential nutrients that support many of the body’s vital functions. In fact, about 96% of the human body’s mass is made up of four elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen. About 99% is made up of just six elements, adding calcium and phosphorus to that list. The major minerals essential to human health include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride and sulfur.

Although dietary minerals are needed in varying amounts, they regulate many of the body’s most vital processes.

Some minerals help transmit the electrical signals that allow nerves and muscles to function. In their ionic form, they help create the electrical impulses that allow cells to communicate. They help the heart beat, muscles contract, nerves fire and cells balance fluids and nutrients. Without minerals, the body could not maintain normal metabolism, movement or internal balance.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body, and more than 99% of it is stored in bones and teeth. Phosphorus works closely with calcium in skeletal structure while also supporting cell membranes, DNA and energy metabolism. Magnesium is needed for hundreds of biochemical reactions, including muscle and nerve function, protein synthesis, blood glucose control and energy production. Sodium, potassium and chloride help regulate fluid balance, nerve signaling and muscle contraction. Sulfur also belongs on the list of major minerals because it contributes to the structure of important proteins and other compounds in the body.

Beyond the major minerals is a long list of trace minerals, including zinc, selenium, iron, manganese, copper and iodine. They are needed in much smaller amounts, yet they remain essential to health. When mineral intake is poor or absorption is impaired, the effects may gradually show up as fatigue, weakness, poor concentration, muscle problems or slower recovery.

What makes this story even more compelling is the origin of these elements. NASA explains that nearly all of the heavier elements in the human body were formed in stars before Earth existed. The calcium in bones, the iron in blood and the phosphorus in DNA all share a cosmic history.

So when you choose foods rich in minerals, protect your bones, support your heart and pay attention to the subtle signals your body sends, you are doing more than “staying healthy.” You are caring for a finely tuned, electrically alive constellation of cells, built from the same elements that light the night sky. To honor your minerals is to honor both your biology and your cosmic heritage. You are not just under the stars; you are one of them.

Dr. Nabil El-Hag, PhD, MPH in Nutrition Biochemistry, is a social entrepreneur, technocrat, philanthropist, and judo Olympian. In his upcoming book, “Link to Vitality,” he shares the science and philosophy behind lifelong wellness. He also writes about wellness, vitality, and longevity.