Nutrition is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, and nutritional needs are the specific requirements for vitamins, MINERALS, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and other nutrients that the body needs to function properly. MINERALS are essential components of a balanced diet, as they are involved in many bodily processes such as muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and bone formation. Examples of MINERALS include calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc.