diet

ron, as many already know, is essential for healthy blood. Iron also has other important functions and curious facts.

Iodine is a trace mineral meaning that while it is an important component of many bodily functions large quantities are not needed to carry out these crucial efforts. In fact, iodine is thought to be such an important mineral that the US government came up with an ingenious way to ensure Americans get an adequate supply: Legislation recommending that iodine be added into table salt was passed.

Fluoride helps to keep teeth and bone healthy. This is the origin of the polemic about adding fluoride to drinking water.

Copper is involved in production of hemoglobin, maintaining the skeleton, giving elasticity to the skin and color to the hair, balancing heart function and the production of enzymes.

Chromium is one of thee trace elements. It can be found in hair and blood. Chromium has a direct impact in blood-sugar levels.

Better known for its partnership, Chloride is the other half of sodium-chloride, or table salt.

Bones are made of calcium. However, building the skeleton is not its only function.

Without calcium, the body would be a shapeless mass of skin. In fact, 99% of the body's calcium can be found in the skeletal system and the teeth. That last 1% can be found in the soft tissues and the blood. The mineral most prominent in the body, practically every food that is consumed contains some amount of calcium.

How calcium helps the body

Some people are especially vulnerable to vitamin deficiencies, or they come out worse if it happened to them.

Vitamin P is a water soluble vitamin. It has a crystalline structure and yet it takes on the characteristics of a bioflavonoid.

Vitamin K is another of the fat soluble vitamins that actually has three forms: phytomenadione, menaquinane and menadione.