Minerals are inorganic nutrients essential to all life on this planet. The current pandemic has shown how a deficiency in both vitamins and minerals can affect our ability to combat viral diseases such as COVID-19. This book discusses six major (calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, sodium, and magnesium) and five trace elements (iron, zinc, copper, iodine, and selenium) that are indispensible for our survival. The pandemic has revealed that not only are some minerals deficient in a large segment of the world's population but also a comprehensive review of their recommended levels is needed. Chapter 1 covers the importance of calcium to bone and muscle health and how it affects extramusculoskeletal activity including the cardiovascular system, obesity, and cancer. The importance of phosphorus to human health is discussed in detail in Chapter 2 including identification of a new class of bioactive phosphate polymers. Chapter 3 covers the vital role of potassium in cellular functions such as fluid balance and osmolality of cells. A discussion of sulfur in Chapter 4 includes its multifarious functions and importance in intermediary metabolism. The question raised in Chapter 5 is what is the right amount of sodium intake? Chapter 6 reviews the role of magnesium in a whole range of metabolic enzymes and its effectiveness as a therapeutic agent for many diseases. Iron and anemia are covered in Chapter 7 as well as the impact of iron deficiency on one-third of the world's population. The role of zinc in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, and infertility is covered in Chapter 8 as well as its effectiveness against COVID-19. Chapter 9 is a comprehensive review of the important roles copper plays in human physiology and the effects of copper deficiency on human health. The relation between iodine deficiency and health is discussed in Chapter 10 and the need for suitable biomarkers for assessing iodine status. Chapter 11, the last chapter, deals with selenium's protection against oxidation and the regulation of the inflammatory processes in the body. Of particular interest, is selenium's ability to combat viral diseases such as COVID-19.
I am particularly grateful for the important contributions to this volume by outstanding nutritional scientists from around the world. This volume provides up-to-date and useful information on minerals to scientists, both researchers and clinicians, to better understand the unique contributions made by minerals to human health. Finally, I would like to knowledge the outstanding editorial assistance provided by Elsevier/Academic Press in completing this important volume.