Minerals

How To Prevent Osteoporosis and Promote Bone Health

Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones and can make them so brittle that they break easily. Common osteoporosis-related fractures are those of the hip, wrist, and spine, and some cases can be caused by a cough or even by bending over. Is osteoporosis an inevitable part of aging, or are there dietary and lifestyle strategies that can keep your bones healthy and strong?

Ocean Robbins · February 26, 2026 · 19 min read

The Healthiest Way To Get the Calcium You Need + 9 Calcium-Rich Foods

Calcium is key to strong bones, and dairy is often touted as the best source. But is that the whole story? How can you ensure you’re getting enough calcium, and what are the healthiest, calcium-rich foods? Discover what the science says and learn how to make the best choices for your health.

Ocean Robbins · January 31, 2025 · 15 min read

8 Essential Minerals — What They Are, Why You Need Them, and How To Get Them

This article explores eight essential minerals crucial for maintaining good health, detailing their roles in the body and the potential risks of deficiencies. It also provides practical advice on incorporating these vital nutrients into your diet through everyday foods and supplements.

Demetrius Bassoukos · September 13, 2024 · 17 min read

How Much Iodine Do You Need? Sources and Strategies for Optimal Health

Iodine is one of those “Goldilocks” nutrients that can be problematic if you don’t get enough or if you get too much. And if you don’t eat animal products, there are only a few reliable sources. So should you supplement? Should you consume iodized salt? Read on to get the facts about iodine: why it’s critical to your health, and how to ensure your consumption is “just right.”

Ocean Robbins · February 9, 2024 · 11 min read

Dietary Copper: How Much Copper Should You Get and the Best Sources of Copper

Copper is one of those quiet, essential nutrients that you don’t hear much about. Without it, though, you can’t survive. And both too little, and especially too much, can damage your heart, brain, bones, skin, and immune system. So how much do you really need? What are the best sources? How easy is it to get enough on a plant-based diet? And how can you avoid copper toxicity?

Ocean Robbins · November 8, 2023 · 11 min read

What Are Antioxidants? And What Are the Most Antioxidant-Rich Foods?

The word “antioxidant” is thrown around a lot in the health and wellness space. But what does it really mean? Why are antioxidants good for you? Are there any you should avoid? And which foods and beverages pack the most beneficial antioxidant punch?

Ocean Robbins · November 1, 2023 · 13 min read

What Is Selenium and Why Is it Important for Health?

Selenium, once thought to be poisonous, is now recognized as an essential nutrient. It plays a key role in many aspects of your health, including metabolism, immunity, and protection against various diseases. But can you get too much of this nutrient? What are the best food sources of selenium, and can you get enough from a plant-based diet?

Ocean Robbins · October 25, 2023 · 12 min read

Guide to Electrolytes: Essential Nutrients for Hydration and Beyond

Electrolytes are more than just ingredients in colorful sports drinks. They play a crucial role in hydration, and they’re also necessary for nerve function and muscle contractions. In this article, we explore the many ways electrolytes are essential for bodily functions and how to maintain a healthy electrolyte balance with your food and beverages.

Ocean Robbins · August 23, 2023 · 12 min read

7 Mouthwatering Potassium-Rich Recipes to Meet Your Nutritional Needs

Potassium is an essential nutrient for health, participating in every biological process that relies on electrical signals, including heartbeat, muscle firing, and nervous system activity. But many people in the modern world are potassium deficient, which has contributed to an epidemic of high blood pressure and other chronic diseases. So why is this? Is potassium hard to obtain from food or necessary to supplement? Get the facts on this critical mineral and electrolyte.

Nichole Dandrea-Russert, MS, RDN · July 5, 2023 · 8 min read

The Benefits of Potassium: Why and How You Should Get Enough

Potassium is an essential nutrient for humans, animals, and plants. In synergy with sodium, potassium plays a role in maintaining the body's fluid balance and the health of your heart and kidneys. In this article, we’re going to look at the benefits of getting enough potassium, how much you need, and whether dietary sources are adequate and safe, especially from plant-based foods.

Ocean Robbins · November 16, 2022 · 8 min read

Zinc: Benefits, Risks, & How Much You Need

Zinc gets good press for its role in shortening colds and viruses. But boosting the immune system is not all that zinc does for your body. So how much do you need, where should you get it, and how much is too much? This article answers these questions about zinc and more.

Ocean Robbins · May 26, 2021 · 13 min read

All About Magnesium: Health Benefits, Risks, & Magnesium-Rich Foods You Should Know About

Far less talked about than some of the other vitamins and minerals, magnesium is a critical nutrient that we need to optimize our health and function at our best. Here are some of the most important magnesium health benefits, the best sources to include in your diet, as well as a few potential risks.

Ocean Robbins · August 14, 2020 · 13 min read