Which mineral is critical for energy metabolism?

Iron plays a crucial role in energy metabolism primarily because it is an essential component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body. Adequate oxygen delivery is vital for cellular respiration, the process by which cells convert nutrients into energy. Iron is also involved in various metabolic processes, including the function of enzymes that play a part in energy production.

While other minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sodium are important for various physiological functions—such as muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and maintaining fluid balance—they do not have as direct a relationship with energy metabolism as iron. Magnesium is involved in ATP synthesis, which is the energy currency of the cell, but iron's role in oxygen transport and energy utilization makes it particularly critical for energy metabolism. Thus, iron is the mineral most associated with supporting energy production at the cellular level.