Frequently Asked Questions
What are mineral supplements?
Minerals are essential nutrients your body can't make - they must come from your diet - and they underpin everything from bones and immunity to energy and hormones. Mineral supplements top up the ones modern diets most commonly run short of, and our range covers the key players: iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, selenium and iodine.
What are mineral supplements good for?
Each mineral earns its keep differently. Calcium and magnesium contribute to the maintenance of normal bones, iron supports normal red blood cell formation and helps reduce tiredness, zinc contributes to normal immune function and the maintenance of skin, hair and nails, selenium supports immunity and thyroid function, and iodine keeps the thyroid - your metabolic pacemaker - working normally. Small nutrients, big jobs.
Which mineral supplement is right for me?
Follow the likely gap. Tired and run down? Iron 14mg - popular with women during their monthly cycle - and magnesium are the first ports of call. Focused on bones? Calcium Citrate and Magnesium 188mg work as a team - or Osteo4 combines calcium, vitamin D, K and magnesium in one. For immunity, zinc and Selenium plus A,C,E are the classic picks.
Why do we use citrate forms of minerals?
Because the form determines how well your body actually absorbs the mineral. Our Calcium Citrate absorbs faster than the cheaper calcium carbonate found in many supplements and is kinder on the stomach, while our iron citrate is stomach-friendly and taste-free - a genuine relief for anyone who's struggled with harsher iron formats. Better forms cost a little more to make; we think they're worth it.
What's the difference between a multivitamin and a mineral supplement?
A multivitamin covers vitamins; individual mineral supplements let you target a specific gap at a meaningful strength - something an all-rounder can't always manage, particularly for calcium and magnesium, which are physically bulky. Many people combine a multivitamin and minerals formula for the basics with one targeted mineral where they need extra support.
Which minerals are most important for bones?
Calcium is the headline - it's what bones are largely made of - but it doesn't work alone: magnesium contributes to normal bones too, vitamin D helps your body absorb the calcium, and vitamin K helps keep bones strong. That's exactly why Osteo4 combines all four at 100% NRV in one vegan-friendly formula - bone health as a team sport.
Can you take too many minerals?
Yes - unlike some vitamins, several minerals accumulate, and more is emphatically not better. Stick to the stated dose, and be careful not to double up across products (a multivitamin plus a separate zinc, for instance, may exceed what you need). Iron especially should be kept away from children. If you take regular medication, a quick word with your pharmacist is always worthwhile.
When should I take mineral supplements?
With food is the general rule - it aids absorption and is kinder on the stomach. Two tips worth knowing: avoid washing iron down with tea or coffee, which hinder its absorption (vitamin C helps it), and take iron and calcium at different times of day if you use both, as they compete. Magnesium is popular in the evening as part of a wind-down routine.
Which minerals do women and men need most?
Women's needs peak around iron - especially during the monthly cycle - and calcium, which becomes critical for bone health after the menopause. Men's priorities lean towards zinc, which contributes to normal testosterone levels and fertility, and selenium, which supports normal sperm formation. Magnesium and iodine, meanwhile, earn their place for everyone.
Why shop for mineral supplements at Just Vitamins?
We sweat the details that determine whether a mineral actually works for you: superior citrate forms for calcium and iron (faster absorbing, stomach-friendly), dual-source magnesium for optimal absorption, zinc at a full 100% NRV, and smart combinations like Osteo4 and Selenium plus A,C,E. Every label states the exact form and strength, so you can compare honestly - all made to strict GMP standards in the UK.