Many different minerals are essential for health, often in tiny amounts. Some of the most important are:

Calcium has long been associated with formation of bones and teeth but has a wide role in human health, and claims have now been authorised for the maintenance of normal bones and teeth and also for the maintenance of normal blood clotting, energy-yielding metabolism, muscle function, neurotransmission, function of digestive enzymesBiological catalysts that control the rate of all biological... and also a role in cell division and specialisation.

Cobalt is an essential component of the vitaminA vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in t... B12. It is not authorised for use as a food additiveFood additives are those substances deliberately added to fo... but it is available from the diet in adequate quantities.

Copper is part of many of the enzymesBiological catalysts that control the rate of all biological... the body uses. Several claims have been authorised for copper, ranging from the protection of cells from oxidative stressThis occurs when more reactive oxygen species are present th... to the maintenance of normal hair and skin pigmentation.

Chromium is needed by the body in the metabolism of sugars and lipids.

Claims have been authorised for the maintenance of normal macronutrient metabolism and normal blood glucoseA simple sugar. This monosaccharide is the most common subst... levels when in its trivalent state.

Iron is at the core of haemoglobin, the chemical that transports oxygen around the body in the blood, and is also part of numerous enzymesBiological catalysts that control the rate of all biological.... A wide range of claims have been authorised, from the maintenance of normal cognitive function to the normal formation of red blood cells and the reduction of fatigue.

Manganese is required by many enzymesBiological catalysts that control the rate of all biological..., and is important in the way the body processes toxic superoxide. Authorised claims include the maintenance of normal bones and connective tissue to the protection of cells from oxidative stressThis occurs when more reactive oxygen species are present th....

Magnesium is essential for a wide range of fundamental cellular reactions and is involved in at least 300 enzymic steps in intermediary metabolism. Claims have been authorised for the maintenance of normal bones and teeth, muscle function, nervous system and psychological function as well as reduction in tiredness and fatigue.

Molybdenum is present in several enzymesBiological catalysts that control the rate of all biological... and can carry a claim for normal sulphur amino-acid metabolism.

Nickel is in a number of enzymesBiological catalysts that control the rate of all biological..., notably urease which processes urea. Like cobalt, it is not authorised for use as a food additiveFood additives are those substances deliberately added to fo....

Selenium containing chemicals work with various important enzymesBiological catalysts that control the rate of all biological..., particularly peroxidases, and is important in thyroid function. Selenium in the British diet is generally low as our soils have low contents of the element, so levels in the plants grown on that soil are also low.  Various claims have been authorised, including the maintenance of normal hair, nails and thyroid function, and also the protection of cells from oxidative stressThis occurs when more reactive oxygen species are present th....

Zinc is an important component of several important enzymesBiological catalysts that control the rate of all biological..., including carbonic anhydrase in the eye, and the dehydrogenase which breaks down alcohol in the liver.  A wide range of claims have been authorised, including the maintenance of normal DNA synthesis, cognitive function, fertility, macronutrient metabolism and also the maintenance of normal  hair, skin, nails and vision.

It should be noted that several minerals (and vitamins) have in many cases been authorised to carry health claims. The claim in that case can be made for one or several of the relevant nutrients contained in a few product.

Examples are: