Best Mineral Supplements For Bodybuilding

March 20, 2024
Sam Andreas

We may receive commissions on qualifying purchases made from some of the links on this post.

Top Pick

Most of us are aware of the benefits that vitamin supplements can give, but what’s often forgotten about is the importance of minerals in bodybuilding diet.

This article explains why they’re essential, the benefits that they can provide, and the five best mineral supplements available on the market today.

Here is a quick preview on the top picks.

The Five Best Mineral Supplements for bodybuilding

Here are what I believe are the best mineral supplements available today.

1. Trace Mineral Drops by Trace Minerals Research

If you’re looking for possibly the most potent mineral supplement on the market—this would be my choice.

This product is packed with both macro and micro minerals—providing everything you need for overall well-being. Seven main ingredients plus 72 ionic trace elements will ensure your daily intake targets are achieved.

Made in the USA, and with minerals sourced from the Great Salt Lake in Utah, you’re assured that this is a product with the most natural provenance. What’s more, it’s had 99 percent of the sodium removed, leaving just 5 milligrams. This could make it appealing for those on a low-salt diet or anyone concerned about cardiovascular health.

Here are the facts:

Mineral form: Liquid drops.
Servings per container: 96.
Key Ingredients: Magnesium, sodium, chloride, potassium, lithium, boron, and 72 trace elements.

Possibly the most comprehensive mineral supplement available.
Three months’ supply per container.
Low in sodium.
Made in the USA.

Strong flavor—may need diluting extensively for some peoples tastes.

2. Optimally Organic Fulvic Ionic Minerals

For all-around fitness benefits, I would consider this to be one of the best mineral supplements that money can buy. The main ingredient in this product is fulvic acid, a potent compound found in soil and aquatic environments—a proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

Additionally, this ionic mineral supplement includes 77 macronutrients and trace elements, selected to improve cell nutrition, boost focus, improve recovery, and elevate energy—making it possibly an ideal product for sports enthusiasts.

Here are the key characteristics:

Mineral form: Liquid drops.
Servings per container: 108.
Key Ingredients: Fulvic acid plus 77 minerals.

One of the best mineral supplements for athletes and bodybuilders.
Over three months’ supply in one bottle
Contains the powerful antioxidant fulvic acid.

Has a strong metallic flavor.

3. PreserVision AREDS 2 Vitamin & Mineral Supplement by Bausch and Lomb

I believe that this may be one of the best mineral supplements for those concerned about eye health, especially seniors suffering from AMD (age-related macular degeneration). This is due to the fact that it includes the ingredients lutein and zeaxanthin—not found in most mineral products and proven to slow the progression of AMD.

Furthermore, it includes 270 percent of your daily requirement of zinc and 50 percent of copper.

Here are the key features:

Mineral form: Soft gel capsules.
Servings per container: 120.
Key Ingredients: Lutein, zeaxanthin, copper, zinc, vitamins C and E.

Specifically formulated to improve eye health.
Two months’ supply (two softgels per day).
Ideal for seniors.

Only concentrates on eye health—no trace minerals for overall well-being.
May have little effect on athletes.

4. Liquid Sleep Multimineral by MaryRuth

For the person who has interrupted sleep, or the fitness enthusiast looking for a rewarding night’s slumber to aid recovery and hit the gym again—this could be one of the best mineral supplements.

The reason being it includes the proven sleep enhancers of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D3. Furthermore, this product could appeal to those who are concerned about allergens, as it’s GMO, gluten, dairy, nut, and soy-free.

Here’s the detail:

Mineral form: Liquid drops.
Servings per container: 32.
Key Ingredients: Calcium, magnesium, vitamin D3 and 82 mg of trace minerals.

A good supplement for people looking to improve sleep and aid recovery.
Can also promote well-being as it contains 82 mg of trace minerals.
Allergen-free.

Only one month’s supply in each container.
Some people may not like the coconut flavor.

5. Trace Minerals by Dr. Berg

If you’re someone who’s looking for a supplement that provides nothing else but pure trace minerals, this could be a good choice.

Supplied in liquid form, this product delivers 70 micro minerals sourced from ancient peat. It’s been suggested that this origin means the nutrients are smaller than those found in rock and seawater—and hence are more readily absorbed.

It includes all the trace minerals required for well-being, and the manufacturers suggest it will elevate skin, hair, and nail health.

Here are the key characteristics:

Mineral form: Liquid drops.
Servings per container: 24.
Key Ingredients: Over 70 trace minerals—nothing else.

Ideal for the person just wanting a trace mineral complex.
Easily absorbed nutrients.
Made in the USA.

Lack of macrominerals may make it unsuitable for athletes.
Low serving count—less than one month’s supply.

Informational guide to Mineral Supplements

What Are Mineral supplements, Anyway?

When talking about minerals in relation to nutrition—they’re chemical compounds which are essential for a healthy life.

Additionally, when following a fitness or bodybuilding regime, we can place further stress on the body. In this context, minerals can help by boosting overall cardiovascular health, improve post-training recovery times, and assist in building muscle.

Here’s the issue.

The body cannot manufacture its own supply of minerals—meaning they have to be ingested.

They’re most commonly found naturally in two areas—water and soil. The plants feed on these soil-based minerals—and as humans, we then ingest them as a second party by consuming the plants, or as a third party when we eat meat from animals which themselves have fed on these organisms.

Minerals form part of the four essential nutrient groups—the others being fatty acids, vitamins, and amino acids.

What Are the Main Groups of Minerals?

Generally speaking, there are two main groups—major and minor. These are found to a greater or lesser degree in the best mineral supplements.

Major Minerals

Sometimes referred to as macrominerals, these include phosphorus, sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium—usually required in amounts larger than 100 mg per day.

Minor Minerals

Also known as micro minerals, trace minerals, or trace elements—these are needed in quantities of less than 100 mg per day. While there are many trace elements, those that have been proven to be the most important are sulfur, iron, chlorine, cobalt, copper, zinc, manganese, molybdenum, iodine, and selenium.

It’s not unusual to see a multitude of additional trace elements in the best mineral supplements—however, it’s debated whether all of them are actually required for human health.

For example, in the US, chromium is considered an essential trace element, whereas in Europe, it isn’t.

If you want more information on the working process of minerals, here’s a useful video.

What Are the Benefits of Mineral Supplements for bodybuilders?

Ensuring you consume sufficient macrominerals and trace elements is essential for health and fitness. A poor diet, or demands placed on our body by intense training, can leave us lacking.

Here are the benefits of the main major and minor minerals.

Phosphorus—fuels muscles and raises bone density.
Sodium—essential to power muscle contractions through adenosine triphosphate, therefore invaluable for exercise and bodybuilding.
Potassium—boosts cardiovascular health.
Calcium—important for exercise as it fuels muscles and strengthens bones.
Magnesium—powers muscles and boosts the muscle-building hormone testosterone.
Sulfur—protects against radiation and pollution.
Iron—essential for blood oxygenation, muscle growth, and testosterone production.
Chlorine—required for digestion.
Cobalt—essential to synthesize vitamin B12.
Copper—works as an antioxidant and improves neurotransmission.
Zinc—elevates testosterone levels to build muscle and drop fat.
Manganese—needed for healthy enzyme function.
Iodine—promotes thyroid function.
Selenium—works as an antioxidant and can reduce exercise recovery times.

What Are the Side Effects of Taking Mineral Supplements for bodybuilding?

The best mineral supplements should cause no side effects, but this doesn’t mean they should be consumed without caution.

Firstly, always follow the instructions on the label in regards to dose—don’t exceed it. Some minerals can cause adverse health effects when taken in too large amounts.

Secondly, be careful if you’re considering using more than one supplement product. Not only could this cause an overdose of particular elements, but also certain ingredients can interfere with the efficacy and absorption of others. For example, supplemental zinc is known to cause iron deficiency

Here’s a handy guide on the recommended daily amounts and the upper limits, to remain safe and side effect free.

What to Look for in the Best Mineral Supplements?

Even the best mineral supplements are not always a case of one-size-fits-all. What may be important for one person may be superfluous to another.

Here are some factors to take into consideration.

Personal Dietary Requirements

It’s important to consider why you need to take a mineral supplement and select the best product to meet your requirements.

For example, women, especially those who are still menstruating, can often be lacking in iron.

Vegetarians and vegans, through eating plant-based meals, frequently have sufficient trace minerals but lack meat sourced nutrients, such as zinc, iodine, and calcium.

Furthermore, fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders require more minerals which are angled towards muscular performance, such as sodium, selenium, and magnesium.

Whatever your needs—try to find a supplement that, along with your food intake, meets the recommended daily allowance.

Mineral Supplement Form

The best mineral supplements tend to come in two forms—pills (or softgels) and liquid drops. If you find swallowing tablets unpleasant, the liquid version can be dropped onto the tongue or mixed with food or drink.

Pack Size

Consider how many servings your supplement can provide. Ensure that you have a readily available supply without having to constantly reorder.

Ionic Minerals

Some supplements include minerals that have been given either a positive or negative charge, known as ionic minerals. It’s believed that this form is more readily absorbed by the body.

Conclusion

For the most comprehensive mineral supplement on the market, my choice is Trace mineral drops by Trace Minerals Research.

For me, this supplement has it all. A powerful macro and micronutrient formula which has the added benefit of being low in sodium. Additionally, a three-month supply in every bottle means that frequent reordering is not required.

This supplement would work as an aid to boost nutrition in diets missing essential compounds, a health enhancer, and fitness booster. I feel it’s the most potent supplement available.

That being said, for specific needs, there are some excellent products—for example, the PreserVision for eye health or Liquid Sleep for a peaceful slumber.