Minerals are inorganic elements that are essential to the nutrition of all humans. Minerals are needed for a variety of purposes ranging from bone and blood formation to energy production. The 20 essential minerals are either major minerals (calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and sulfur) or trace minerals (boron, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, silicon, vanadium and zinc) depending on the amount that is present in the body. If a diet is lacking adequate amounts of one or more mineral, deficiencies may develop. For example, deficiencies of calcium are linked to bone loss, and deficiencies of iron are linked to some anemias.