Minerals are the inorganic elements the body needs in small, steady amounts — unlike vitamins, they are not built by any living thing, only taken up from soil and water into the food chain.
Calcium (bones, teeth, muscle contraction) — dairy, sesame, ragi, leafy greens. Iron (oxygen transport) — lentils, jaggery, leafy greens, paired with vitamin C for absorption. Magnesium (nerve and muscle function) — nuts, seeds, whole grains, leafy greens. Potassium (fluid balance, heart rhythm) — bananas, potatoes, coconut water. Zinc (immune function, wound healing) — pulses, seeds, whole grains. Iodine (thyroid function) — iodised salt, seafood.
Refined and heavily processed food loses much of its mineral content in processing, and modern soil is often more depleted than it once was. A varied diet built around whole, minimally processed food is still the most reliable way to meet mineral needs; supplements are a backup, not a substitute.
Everything on this site is a personal account and a record of traditional practice. It is shared for information and reflection. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not a treatment for any disease.
If you are unwell — and particularly if you have a serious illness such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease — please stay under the care of a qualified doctor. Nothing here should replace that care or delay it. Talk to your physician before changing anything about how you eat, fast or treat yourself.