The term "essential minerals" refers to minerals (elemental rather than organic chemical compounds) required for life. For humans, those include five major min

The term "essential minerals" refers to minerals (elemental rather than organic chemical compounds) required for life. For humans, those include five major minerals: calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and magnesium, and an additional nine "trace elements": iron, chlorine, cobalt, copper, zinc, manganese, molybdenum, iodine, and selenium. (From Wikipedia: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_(nutrient) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_(nutrient)>) Dose is critical. Whilst too little causes deficiency syndromes, too much of these compounds may also be harmful. Note that even excessive water consumption can be deadly.