ABSTRACT
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Six major minerals and 16 trace elements exist (see Table I ) .1*2 The physical and chemical properties of minerals are governed by the quantum number of each electron which in turn determines the energy level (shell), shape of the electron cloud, directional orientation of the electron cloud, and direction in which the electron moves about its axis (see Table 2).3 The chemical properties of each mineral determine its ability to interact with other minerals by influencing its bioavailability as well as capability to interact direcdy or indirecdy with other minerals. Small molecules with a low ionic charge (such as sodium and potassium) cross the lipid bilayers of cell membranes readily and are almost completely absorbed.3 Ions with a relatively high ionic charge are more likely to form stable complexes than ions with a lesser charge and consequentiy are often less well absorbed than ions with a low ionic charge;3 however, this rule is not absolute. Whereas some minerals which form complexes are poorly absorbed (e.g., calcium), others (e.g., magnesium) may be well absorbed (see Table 3).
