Minerals are as essential to general health as oxygen. They are responsible for the proper function of a host of biological functions, including muscular movement and nerve response. They are also critical for mental health. They even make the assimilation of vitamins possible.

Minerals are the "building blocks," if you will, of all life--human, animal, and otherwise. Minerals do not naturally occur in the human body; they are introduced only through diet or supplements. Because the soil in which our food is grown is increasingly depleted of minerals and other nutrients thanks to modern agriculture techniques, taking minerals in supplement form is considered by many experts to be the best way to ensure you're giving your body the essential elements it needs.

Nutritional minerals are categorized as "minerals" and "trace minerals." Regular nutritional minerals are those that are needed in amounts over 100 mg; trace minerals are those that are required in lesser amounts. However, neither is more important than the other. Both are essential.

Advantages of Chelated Minerals

Chelated (pronounced key-´lay-ted) minerals are those that have been combined with amino acids to be more easily assimilated into the body. Some studies show chelated minerals to be up to 40 percent more efficient than un-chelated minerals. Taking chelated minerals helps ensure that your body is drawing the most nutrition from each individual supplement.