Which mineral is vital for maintaining healthy nerve and muscle function?

The mineral that is vital for maintaining healthy nerve and muscle function is phosphorus. Phosphorus plays a crucial role in the formation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the energy currency of the cell. This energy is essential for muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission. Additionally, phosphorus is a key component of phospholipids, which make up cell membranes, further contributing to cellular health and function.

While iron, zinc, and copper are important minerals with various roles in the body, they do not specifically play the same direct role in nerve and muscle function as phosphorus does. Iron is primarily involved in oxygen transport in the blood, zinc supports immune function and enzyme reactions, and copper is essential for iron metabolism and the formation of connective tissue. Each mineral has unique contributions to health, but phosphorus is specifically integral to the function of nerves and muscles.