Macrominerals

Calcium

Milk and milk products, meat, fish, eggs, cereals, beans, fruits, vegetables

Bone and tooth formation, blood coagulation, nerve transmission, muscle contraction, myocardial conduction

Chloride

Many foods, mainly animal products but some vegetables; similar to sodium

Blood and intracellular acid-base balance, osmotic pressure, kidney function

Potassium

Many foods, including whole and skim milk, bananas, prunes, raisins, and meats

Muscle contraction, nerve transmission, intracellular acid-base balance, water balance

Magnesium

Green leaves, nuts, cereals, grains, seafood

Bone and tooth formation, nerve transmission, muscle contraction, enzyme activation

Sodium

Many foods, including beef, pork, sardines, cheese, green olives, corn bread, potato chips, and sauerkraut

Blood and intracellular acid-base balance, osmotic pressure, muscle contraction, nerve transmission, maintenance of cell membrane gradients

Phosphorus

Milk, cheese, meat, poultry, fish, cereals, nuts, legumes

Bone and tooth formation, blood and intracellular acid-base balance, energy production