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Mineral and Water Function

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Minerals are needed in order to form body structures and regulate chemical reactions. Minerals are like vitamins, they are needed to regulate body processes, such as nerve response and reactions, heartbeat, blood clotting, energy metabolism, and fluid regulation. Minerals help form part of the structure of bones, nails, teeth, muscles and red blood cells; four important minerals are iron, calcium, zinc, and iodine. We need minerals in small amounts, and they cannot be broken down, or our bodies cannot change them. Minerals are first taken up from the soil into plants and then they are used by animals and people when they eat plants. Water is an important constituent of our bodies and vital organs. The function of water is cell life, transport of nutrients chemical and metabolic reactions, body temperature regulation, and elimination of water. Like minerals and vitamins water is a carrier, it distributes essential nutrients to cells. When organs' cells reject waste and toxins, water removes them out of the body through urine and feces; water also has a role in the biochemical breakdown of the things that we eat. Water also helps limit the changes that in our bodies' temperature in warm or cold environment, it also is a lubricant around our joints, and water is also like a shock absorber for the brain, eyes, spinal cord, and the fetus through amniotic fluid. When dehydration occurs, your body becomes less able to function properly. When dehydration is severe symptoms include extreme thirst, rapid heartbeat, lack of sweating and urinating, and it can be life-threatening. Most people that experience dehydration experience mild or moderate dehydration and the effects at a mild to moderate level is: fatigue, headaches, decreased metabolism, muscle weakness, and dizziness or lightheadedness. There are many people that suffer from one or more of these effects and have

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