Dietary minerals play important role in body processes

Some minerals are used by the body in relatively large amounts. Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium are among these "major minerals", and the body needs at least 100 mg of each of them daily. Other minerals are referred to as "trace minerals" because they body needs less than 100 mg of them daily. Trace minerals include copper, zinc, selenium, and iron.

• By Patricia Aaron For the Journal NEW MEXICO'S OWN: Today Patricia Aaron continues her exploration into the science link in the food chain with a look at: calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.
• Minerals have two general functions in the body--- building and regulating.
• They regulate the heartbeat, blood clotting, the internal pressure of body fluids, nerve response and oxygen transportation from the lungs to the body tissues.
• Nearly 99 percent of the 2 to 3 pounds present in the body is concentrated in bones and teeth.
• During childhood and teen years, "deposits" of new bone are added to the skeleton faster than old bone is removed.
• After age 35 or so, bone "withdrawals" begin to exceed "deposits" from the savings account.
• Despite stories of his wooden teeth, President George Washington must have had plenty of calcium in his diet, as he loved ice cream.
• History shows that he ordered thousands of gallons of ice cream over the years, and spent about $200 for ice cream during the summer of 1790 alone.
• Today we recommend dairy sources of calcium, such as low-fat milk and milk products, as well as fish with bones, such as sardines and canned salmon, broccoli and calcium-fortified soy products and juices.
• Calcium absorption for post menopausal women is very poor; these women may absorb as little as 20 percent of dietary calcium because the hormone estrogen plays a key role in absorption.
• RICE PUDDING Adjusted for high altitude Makes 6 1/2-cup servings 41/2 cups low-fat milk 1 cup brown rice 3 wide strips orange peel 2 tablespoons sugar Pinch of salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Pinch of nutmeg 1/2 cup dried cranberries 1/4 cup golden raisin 1/4 cup toasted chopped pecans In a saucepan, bring milk, rice, orange peel, sugar and salt to a boil.