Minerals, like vitamins, are part of the group of micronutrients, that is to say, they are chemical substances that, ingested in small quantities, are necessary to maintain the body in perfect state of health.
They are essential nutrients, which means that the body cannot synthesize them by itself, so we must provide them through the daily diet.
Importance of minerals
There are numerous functions that the body cannot perform without minerals. The deficit or lack of any of them can lead to delays in growth, neuronal development, in addition to causing immunodeficiencies and other problems.
For example:
- Iron: Its presence is essential for the transport of oxygen throughout the body.
- Zinc: It works so that the immune system, that is to say, the defenses, work properly.
- Calcium and phosphorus: Keep bones and teeth strong.
- Sodium: Helps maintain the body’s water balance.
- Chlorine: Involved in the digestion of food in the stomach.
- Potassium: Involved in the communication between nerves and muscles.
- Sulfur: Helps in the metabolism of fats.
Sources of minerals
A varied diet based on meat, fish, cereals, fruits and vegetables, provide daily and in a completely natural way, most of what the body of our pets needs.
To make up for the missing minority we must put them in the form of additives. The inclusion of organic chelated minerals to complete a recipe for dogs and cats should be considered as a guarantee of quality and natural food.
Difference between organically chelated minerals and inorganic minerals
Once ingested, the minerals are absorbed in the intestine and transported by our body until they reach their objective and set in motion their corresponding function. If they are not properly absorbed, they are eliminated through the faeces or urine.
This point is of vital importance because, if they are not absorbed, they not only directly affect the health of our pet, but they are excreted directly into the environment, with the consequent pollution.
Minerals supplemented in an inorganic way have as main characteristics:
A very high molecular weight, so we must administer large quantities to reach the necessary levels.
- They are very difficult to absorb.
- They end up, in most cases, expelled without being absorbed.
- They pollute the environment.
- The origin of the chelated minerals comes from a totally natural and spontaneous process of nature called chelation.
Chelation is a natural process by which a mineral binds to an organic molecule, usually a protein, which allows it to be transported directly into the bloodstream.
In this way:
- They are perfectly absorbed by the intestinal villi.
- They pass quickly into the bloodstream.
- They perform their function effectively.
- They are not eliminated by the faeces so they do not pollute our planet.
How to differentiate them in a package
Inorganic minerals are in the form of salts. We can find them described as:
- Zinc: Zinc oxide.
- Iron: Ferrous sulphate heptahydrate.
Chelated minerals have more complex names and are usually accompanied by the words glycine or amino acids. We can find them described as:
- Iron : Iron chelate of amino acids
- Zinc : Zinc chelate of amino acids
Dingonatura, in its desire to protect the animal and respect the environment, only uses organic chelated minerals in its recipes, which not only feed properly, but do not contaminate after being processed by the animal.