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The Macrominerals

Calcium - When it comes to bones, calcium is the macromineral you definitely want on your team. It helps build strong bones, so you can run, swim, and score the winning goal! It also helps you chomp on tasty food by building strong healthy teeth. It's the most abundant mineral in your body, making up about 2 percent of your total body weight. Foods high in calcium are milk, yogurt, cheese, collards, turnip greens, kale, canned salmon, sardines, and calcium-fortified foods.

Magnesium - Every cell in your body needs magnesium. It's important for energy - so if you want to have fun with your friends, magnesium is a key team player. You also need magnesium to make more than 300 different enzymes to send messages along the nerve pathways, help your muscles relax, keep your heart beating, maintain strong bones and teeth, and keep your blood pressure normal. Lots of foods contain magnesium. Good sources are leafy vegetables, whole grains, seafood, beans, and nuts.

Phosphorus - Phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral in your body, about 1 percent of your body weight. Over 80 percent of that partners with calcium to support your bones and teeth. Phosphorus is abundant in all types of foods so it is difficult to be deficient in it. Good sources of phosphorus are legumes (peas and beans), milk/milk products, nuts, cheese, eggs, grains, meat, and poultry. Click here for more information.

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