Trace* Minerals are the body’s “nuts and bolts” or foundation of good health, holding everything together. Although they are not much by weight or volume, these trace minerals are very important parts of everything the body makes. Without these tiny amounts of minerals, nothing gets built. Minerals are cofactors in enzymatic processes. Vitamins cannot function without minerals being present in the appropriate levels. There's no need to take with food or water. In addition to the well known support minerals provide for skeletal structure in our bodies, they also are also responsible for activating enzymes (which control ALL BODILY PROCESSES), transmitting nerve impulses, assisting muscle contraction & regulating physiological processes such as blood volume. The minerals used in our product are derived from ancient shale deposits that came from plants that existed 75 million years ago, a time when the earth was free of pollution and the soil was mineral rich!