mineral

mineral /min·er·al/ (min´er-al) any nonorganic homogeneous solid substance of the earth's crust.

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trace mineral  a mineral trace element.

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min·er·al (mnr-l)

n.

1. A naturally occurring, homogeneous inorganic solid substance having a definite chemical composition and characteristic crystalline structure, color, and hardness.

2. An inorganic element, such as calcium, iron, potassium, sodium, or zinc, that is essential to the nutrition of humans, animals, and plants.

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Mineral

A substance that does not contain carbon (inorganic) and is widely distributed in nature. Minerals play an important role in human metabolism.

Mentioned in: Hypercalcemia

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mineral

[min′ərəl]

Etymology: L, minera, mine

1 an inorganic substance occurring naturally in the earth's crust, having a characteristic chemical composition and (usually) crystalline structure.

2 (in nutrition) a compound containing a metal, nonmetal, radical, or phosphate that is needed for proper body function and maintenance of health. The needed substance is usually ingested as a part of such a compound, such as table salt (sodium chloride), instead of as a free element, and the compound is usually referred to by the name of the needed substance.

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mineral,

n an inorganic substance.

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mineral

any naturally occurring nonorganic homogeneous solid substance. There are 19 or more minerals forming the mineral composition of the animal body; at least 13 are essential to health. These minerals must be supplied in the diet and are generally found in a varied or mixed diet of animal and vegetable products which meet the energy and protein needs. Nutritional deficiencies of individual minerals are listed under each of them.

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mineral deficiencies

see under the appropriate mineral, e.g. phosphorus, iodine.

mineral flux

the excessive output of a mineral from the animal body, leading to a state of deficiency; a negative balance.

mineral imbalances

imbalances between minerals that need to be maintained in a proper balance with others as well as being present in appropriate absolute amounts, e.g. calcium:phosphorus, sodium:potassium.

mineral-salt mixtures

mixtures of stock grade salt, with sterilized bonemeal, copper, cobalt, iodine and other trace minerals where required, in granular form or in a hard cake for licking. Set out in barns or at pasture for ad lib access by cattle, sheep, goats. Called also lick.

mineral supplements

minerals added to the diet of animals to prevent or correct a nutritional deficiency.

trace mineral

see trace element.

mineral tolerance

limits of dietary supplementation with minerals which animals can survive for a limited period without a decline in their production or performance, and without creating unsafe residues in the human food chain.

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mineral

Nutrition A popular term for a nonvitamin nutrient needed to maintain health

Dietary minerals

Major minerals–in bone Calcium, phosphate, magnesium

Major minerals–in electrolytes Sodium, potassium, chloride

Minor minerals–in metalloproteins Iron, copper, manganese, iodine, cobalt, molybdenum, selenium, chromium, fluoride, zinc

Trace minerals Nickel, silicon, vanadium, tin