What are trace minerals and do I need them?

Answer:

"Trace minerals" has a range of definitions, but, with regard to nutrition, generally means minerals that are used in very small amounts in the body, mostly in enzyme reactions

Essential dietary trace minerals are those that must be obtained through the diet and/or from supplements. These include chromium, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc. Other trace minerals you may see on supplement labels include boron, nickel and tin (stannous chloride). Sign in to the full answer to find out if deficiency in these trace minerals is common, the best way to get them (from foods and supplements), and which, if any, you may want to avoid.

You may also use ConsumerLab;s nutrient calculator below to see the Recommended Daily Allowances or Adequate Intakes of these and other minerals by age and gender, Upper Tolerable Intake Levels are also shown.