ABSTRACT
In comparison to the macronutrients discussed in the preceding chapters, the requirement of minerals and their contribution to total body weight is relatively small. For instance, while some 20 to 25 minerals are known to have human physiological significance, collec tively they constitute less than 5 to 6% of total human mass. On the other hand, water, pro tein, fat, and carbohydrates make up the majority of the remaining human mass.
