Which term describes essential elements needed in small amounts to maintain health and must be supplied by the diet?

Which term describes essential elements needed in small amounts to maintain health and must be supplied by the diet?

• A. Minerals
• B. Vitamins
• C. Cholesterol
• D. Stress

Answer: (A)

The essential idea is that some nutrients are needed in tiny amounts to keep the body functioning, and those are minerals. Minerals are inorganic elements your body uses as building blocks and as cofactors for many processes, like forming bones, balancing fluids, transmitting nerves, and helping enzymes work. Because minerals cannot be made by the body, they must come from the foods you eat. They’re grouped into major minerals (needed in larger amounts) and trace minerals (needed in smaller amounts), but either way they fit the description of essential elements you must obtain from your diet. Vitamins are also essential, but they are organic compounds, not elements. Cholesterol is a lipid the body can make and isn’t required to be consumed in the diet. Stress isn’t a nutrient.

The essential idea is that some nutrients are needed in tiny amounts to keep the body functioning, and those are minerals. Minerals are inorganic elements your body uses as building blocks and as cofactors for many processes, like forming bones, balancing fluids, transmitting nerves, and helping enzymes work. Because minerals cannot be made by the body, they must come from the foods you eat. They’re grouped into major minerals (needed in larger amounts) and trace minerals (needed in smaller amounts), but either way they fit the description of essential elements you must obtain from your diet.

Vitamins are also essential, but they are organic compounds, not elements. Cholesterol is a lipid the body can make and isn’t required to be consumed in the diet. Stress isn’t a nutrient.