The term "dietary minerals" refers to a group of chemical elements (other than carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen) that are required by living organisms. These minerals make up one portion of the larger group known as "essential nutrients," along with vitamins, essential fatty acids, and essential amino acids.

Consuming appropriate dietary minerals can optimize biochemical reactions by serving important structural and functional roles.

The following is a brief list of important dietary minerals, with some of their functions in brackets:

• Potassium (systemic electrolyte, coregulates ATP)
• Sodium (systemic electrolyte, coregulates ATP)
• Chloride (necessary to produce hydrochloric acid in the stomach)
• Calcium (builds bone, supports blood cells, necessary for muscle, heart, and digestive health)
• Phosphorus (vital component of bones and energy processing)
• Magnesium (required for processing ATP and for bone growth)
• Zinc (required by numerous enzymes)
• Iron (required for proteins and enzymes, including hemoglobin)
• Manganese (cofactor in enzyme functions)
• Copper (required for many enzymes)
• Iodine (required for the biosynthesis of thyroxine)
• Selenium (cofactor in antioxidant enzymes)

Some dietary minerals are considered "micronutrients," of which humans only need trace amounts. These include iron, copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, chromium, manganese, selenium, and moybdenum.

Minerals and micronutrients can usually be found in sufficient amounts by eating a healthy, balanced plant-based diet. The increasingly poor quality of our soil, however, has eroded much of the nutrients that would otherwise be absorbed by plants.

Dr. Maynard Murray wrote a ground-breaking study in 1976, Sea Energy Agriculture, which noted that “it has now been conclusively proven that the proportions of the trace minerals and elements present in sea water are optimum for the growth and health of both land and sea life.” As we continue to lose minerals through erosion, rampant chemical fertilization, and water leaching, the wealth of minerals found in “sea solids” are increasingly vital to achieving a healthy balance.

• Legumes (Potassium, Copper)
• Potato skins (Potassium)
• Bananas (Potassium, Manganese)
• Leafy green vegetables (Calcium, Iron, Potassium)
• Nuts (Calcium, Magnesium, Copper, Manganese)
• Seeds (Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc)
• Cocoa (Magnesium)
• Beans (Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Sodium, Zinc)
• Whole grains (Iron, Potassium, Chromium, Manganese)
• Carrots (Calcium, Iron)

Mineral deficiencies can have profound consequences for human health. For example, a lack of calcium can cause rickets and bone deformations. A lack of iron can cause anemia. A lack of magnesium can cause lethargy, cramps, and cardiac abnormalities.

As part of a balanced, plant-based diet, we can supplement our intake of nutrients by eating mineral-rich seaweeds and so-called 'superfoods'. We can also consume foods, hydroponic or otherwise, that are grown with additional sea solids.

The following list provides an introduction to minerals, micronutrients, and human health:
The Food Chart
NaturoDoc
The Vegetarian Resource Group
Sea Energy Agriculture: [Dr. Maynard Murray, 1976, published by Acres USA]