In addition to the minerals listed, Super Mins also contains trace minerals. Although they are only required in small amounts, trace minerals are essential for many of the body's metabolic and chemical processes by serving as co-factors for various enzymes.

Recently, trace minerals became more and more popular as people realize their health benefits. Did you know that fluoride is a trace mineral? It is now added to many water supplies because it helps keep teeth healthy and prevent tooth decay.

The many health benefits of trace minerals include helping the body grow during development, strenghtening bones and connective tissues.

Anchor Health's Super Mins ingredients are:

• Vitamin D
  This "sunlight" vitamin is naturally produced by the body when our skin is exposed to the sun. Vitamin D plays a key role in the optimal absorption of calcium and phosphorus and strengthening the immune system. Vitamin D is also essential for building strong bones and teeth.
  
  
• Calcium
  Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and is the building block of bones and teeth. Calcium is also required for many hormones and enzymes in the body, thus making it an overall essential nutrient. Unfortunately, most adults only get half of their daily requirement of calcium from food and would benefit from taking supplements.
  
  
• Iodine
  Iodine is a potent trace mineral concentrated primarily in the thyroid gland, where it helps the thyroid to function properly. It is so important that in the 1920s, it was added to table salt because iodine deficiency was widespread.
  
  
• Magnesium
  There are a lot of health benefits of magnesium - like calcium, it is involved in bone building. It also plays a role in blood clotting, preventing heart disease and diabetes, controlling high blood pressure, and more.
  
  Most people do not get enough magnesium through their diet because processed foods are stripped of this mineral.
  
  
• Zinc
  Zinc is a trace element that is essential to every cell in our body. Literally hundreds of chemical and metabolic processes that go on every day inside our cells require zinc.
  
  Some health benefits of zinc include boosting the immune system (it fights cold and flu!), helping sores and wounds heal, reducing acne, nourishing hair, and improving vision.
  
  A surprising number of adults actually do not get enough zinc through their diet - this is also caused by the large amount of processed food they eat.
  
  
• Selenium
  Selenium is a trace mineral that is important for the proper functions of the kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, and male testes. In addition to its function as an antioxidant, this trace mineral is important for the immune system's ability to fight off infections.
  
  
• Copper
  Copper is the third most abundant trace mineral in our body - it is an essential part of many enzymes and proteins, including those involved in forming collagen and bone density, fighting inflammation, maintaining skin and hair color.
  
  Like many other trace minerals, most adults in the United States do not get enough copper through their diet.
  
  
• Manganese
  The trace mineral manganese is involved in bone metabolism, cartilage formation, and brain functions. The lack of manganese has been liked to reduced libido in both men and women.
  
  
• Chromium
  This popular trace mineral may help control diabetes and high blood sugar (indeed, chromium was discovered as part of a "glucose tolerance factor" molecule by scientists), promote weight loss, and help lower cholesterol level.
  
  
• Molybdenum
  Molybdenum is an essential cofactor for enzymes that catalyzes the breakdown of nucleotides (precursor to DNA and RNA genetic material) into antioxidants in the blood, builds proteins from amino acids, and metabolizes drugs and toxins.
  
  
• Potassium
  An indispensable electrolyte, potassium is important for overall health and helps maintain normal blood pressure, muscle contraction, as well as kidney, liver, and nerve functions.
  
  
• Betaine
  Betaine is an important nutrient for our cardiovascular health. Studies have shown that betaine can help reduce potentially toxic levels of homocysteine, which is harmful to blood vessels.
  
  
• Glutamic Acid
  This amino acid is used by the body to build proteins and as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.
  
  
• Trace Elements
  In addition to the minerals listed above, Super Mins also contains these naturally occurring trace elements: bismuth, boron, bromine, chlorine, cobalt, fluorine, gallium, germanium, gold, hydrogen, lanthanum, lithium, nickel, nitrogen, osmium, silicon, silver, strontium, tellurium, tin, titanium, tritium, tungsten, vanadium, and zirconium.
  
  

Select Scientific References

• Ryan-Harshman M and Aldoori W. Health benefits of selected minerals. Can Fam Physician. 2005; 51:673-5.
• Chernoff R. Micronutrient requirements in older women. Am J Clin Nutr 2005; 81(5):1240S-45S.
• Cook AG, et al. Health effects of natural dust: role of trace elements and compounds. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2005; 103(1):1-15.
• Shenkin A. The role of minerals and trace elements in relation to long-term health and chronic disease. Nestle Nutr Workshop Ser Clin Perform Programme. 2004; (9):169-81.