ABSTRACT
In the UK, dietary reference values (DRVs) are given for 11 minerals and safe intakes are listed for a further four (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 considered the possible essentiality of a further 19 minerals. Most of these it classified as non-essential or of unproven essentiality, while a few it regarded as probably essential in trace amounts.
