ABSTRACT
In the UK, Dietary Reference Values are given for 11 minerals and safe intakes listed for another four (Committee on the Medical Aspects of Food (COMA), 1991). These same 15 minerals are also deemed to warrant a recommendation of some type in the USA.There is, therefore, international acceptance that at least 15 dietary minerals are essential. Several of these essential minerals are required only in trace amounts and in some cases requirements are difficult to establish with confidence. COMA (1991) considered the possible essentiality of another 19 minerals, most of these were classified as non-essential or of unproved essentiality, a few they regarded as probably essential in trace amounts. The new legislation in European countries based on the European Union (EU) Food Supplements Directive allows 15 minerals to be used in supplements. These are:
• calcium • molybdenum • chromium • potassium • copper • selenium • fluoride • zinc • iodine • chloride
• iron • phosphorus • magnesium • sodium • manganese.
