[Review of present knowledge on the evaluation of the nutritional status of mineral elements. I. Major elements]

For a long time, the human diet was supposed to provide mineral elements in adequate quantities. Nevertheless, in recent years knowledge of marginal or severe deficiencies has contributed to clarify the biological functions of some of them. For this reason, more and more attention is being given to the evaluation of mineral nutritional status, field which has progressed very rapidly. This summary, which covers the major elements, also applies to the following article, where trace elements are discussed. The purpose of both articles is to summarize actual knowledge on available biochemical methodology for a better understanding of mineral nutritional status.