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Minerals are essential necessary for growth, vitality and general well being. They are inorganic substances. Minerals alone cannot be assimilated unless they are balanced with vitamins, and the body cannot manufacture a single mineral.
Minerals are found in minute quantities in all natural food, and there are about 18 known minerals required for maintenance. The bulk minerals which are needed in relatively large quantities regularly are: calcium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, sodium, phosphorous, and silicon. Trace minerals which are needed just in small quantities such as iron, chromium, copper, cobalt, iodine, vanadium, manganese, selenium, molybdenum, and zinc.
Unfortunately, throughout the years we have depleted much of the land’s minerals, in particular, iron, zinc, and selenium. Some animals are raised for the purpose of consumption and therefore may never benefit from sun or fresh air. Our “enriched” foods also have a questionable amount of mineral content, and the “natural food” supply appears to be losing its nutritional benefits, most likely because over-processed foods lose minerals. There are synthetic foods, the “usual” frozen meals, canned and processed foods with their mysterious additives, plus the plethora of newly invented foods.
The bones and teeth contain most of the body’s calcium. A lowered blood calcium level can cause tetany, which can affect calcitonin and parahormone (hormones).
Osteoporosis is often caused by low calcium content in the bone. Other factors such as gender, family history, race, smoking, alcohol, low calcium intake, and body weight also leads to osteoporosis.
The best source of calcium is through foods rather than supplements because often supplements may be contaminated with lead or other toxins.
Sodium, potassium and chloride (electrolytes) transmit electrical impulses in the nerve and muscle cells. Chloride is found in HCL in the stomach.
Blood chemistries can help determine the mineral balance, as mineral deficiencies often create serious medical problems. For instance, electrolyte imbalances can indicate adrenal or kidney problems. Calcium and inorganic phosphorus is controlled in part through diet, and through vitamin D. Low magnesium levels can be indicative of gastrointestinal bleeding. Minerals should not be taken indiscriminately, and may follow the RDA. Consultation with an expert nutritionist is often a good choice.
For optimal growth and membrane function, there are boron, silicon, nickel and arsenic. Some minerals, when paired up with certain vitamins, potentiate one another. For example, vitamin A works best with calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium and zinc.
The B vitamins are also enhanced by these minerals plus cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, potassium, and sodium. For vitamin C the most effective combination is with calcium, cobalt, copper, iron and sodium. For vitamin D enhancement is experienced with calcium, copper, magnesium, selenium, and sodium.
Potassium shares some of the functions with sodium and chloride, except that potassium is more intracellular than sodium and chloride, which are found in the extracellular fluid. Potassium is noted for its function conducting electrical impulses particularly from the heart. There is a delicate balance required with potassium, either an excess or a deficiency can disturb cardiac rhythm.
Potassium is readily absorbed from the intestine. Potassium deficiencies can include weakness, nervous disorders, anorexia, and cardiac disturbances.
Sodium, which is absorbed in the digestive tract, is an essential nutrient. The kidney is the main controller of sodium balance. Sodium deficiency can occur as a result of diarrhea, prolonged vomiting, sweating and some kidney diseases. Symptoms can include muscle cramps, dizziness, and nausea.
Phosphorus is the second most abundant body mineral, and 85 percent of the body’s supply is found in the teeth and bones. The remainder is found in the RNA, DNA, and in other various places throughout the body. Phosphorus is consumed in milk, meat, fish, grains, and nuts; soft drinks have some phosphorus in them, as do precessed foods.
Rickets (inadequate mineralization of the bone) can occur with a deficiency of phosphorus, especially among infants. The overuse of aluminum hydroxide found in antacids can prevent the absorption of phosphorus in the intestines, and cause a deficiency.
This is one of the most abundant minerals in our system. It plays a major role in nerve transmission, cell permeability, blood pressure regulation, and maintenance of teeth and bone structure.
One percent of calcium usage is involved in clotting and metabolism of vitamin D, and about 97% is contained in bones and teeth. The average adult has 3 to 4 pounds of calcium in his body, mostly in the teeth and bones. To function properly, calcium must be accompanied by magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin A, C, D, and E.
Vitamin D is needed in particular for absorption of calcium as it works with the parathyroid hormone. If fat combines with calcium, an insoluble compound is formed which cannot be absorbed. Kidney stones or gallbladder stones are often caused by an insoluble compound formed through oxalic acid, which is found in chocolate, spinach, and rhubarb.
Beans, nuts, seeds and fish are good calcium sources. Some additional sources are: brown rice, buckwheat, figs, eggs, pistachios, green vegetables and carrots. Deficiencies of calcium can lead to rickets, cramping of the muscles, heavy menstruation, anxiety, or insomnia.
Chlorine is an essential mineral widely distributed in the body’s systems, helping to regulate acid base serum levels. Also, it stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid (enzymatic juice) needed for the digestion of protein and fibrous foods. Other than in salt, chlorine is found in kelp, ripe olives, and is used in the public water supply for purification, destroying typhoid and hepatitis. Vitamin E can be destroyed by chlorine. The highest concentrations are stored in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Hair loss and poor digestion are some of the effects of chlorine deficiency.
Another of the most abundant minerals in the human body is magnesium. It has been associated with being an antidote to stress because it has a calming effect, almost like a natural sedative. When combined with B6 it prevents the formation of calcium oxalate stones.
All of the functions of essential fatty acids and prostaglandin are influenced by magnesium. Deficiencies may cause symptoms of asthma, obesity, elevated cholesterol and may enhance PMS. Preeclampsia has been frequently associated with low levels of magnesium.
Iron exists with more than a merely casual presence in the body. It combines with other proteins to form hemoglobin and is generally absorbed through the gastrointestinal mucosa.
The thymus gland is stimulated by iron, therefore, iron is vital to the immune system. Without iron, B12 and folic acid are paralyzed, unable to be metabolized by the body.
Today, in the world, it is thought that iron is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies. Increased iron intake is indicated while pregnant, for vegetarians, for those who participate in sports and during one’s adolescence.
Due to frequent bowel irritations from potential food allergies, there is often a loss of iron. Antacids, tetracycline, and caffeine, as well as malabsorption problems, help to deplete iron; and the depletion causes anemia.
Alcoholism and oversupplementation of iron can lead to hemosiderosis, a disease of excess stores of iron in the liver, and which is associated with cirrhosis, diabetes, and heart disease. Therefore one needs to be conscious of iron toxicity, or excess iron deposits, occurring in the lungs, pancreas, heart or liver.
There are three stages of iron deficiency. In stage one anemia is more difficult to detect than full blown anemia, and is found through serum ferritin. At stage two clinical symptoms become apparent, including fatigue, muscle weakness, insomnia, or infections. In stage three iron deficiency anemia is clear, typically detected in hemoglobin, the RBC and hematocrit count, and it then can be diagnosed.
Zinc is more important than was once thought as an immune system stimulant, as it activates the thymus, which produces the hormone thymosin. The hormone is responsible for the differentiation of various lymphocytes. In addition it is thought that zinc may have beneficial effects on the common cold.
Deficiencies may manifest themselves in fractures which don’t heal, frequent tooth decay, poor circulation and inflammatory skin conditions. This deficiency has adverse effects on the lymph tissue, on T-cell and B-cell production, as well as a decreased number of antioxidants. Zinc is also utilized to improve digestion.
Optimum levels of zinc have been shown to increase the phagocytic capacity of white blood cells to neutralize toxins. The converse is interesting, as those with immunodeficiency disorders have been found to have low levels of zinc.
Selenium is a relatively newly understood mineral, and, at this writing, it is known that selenium is a major antioxidant protecting free radical damage to cell membranes and genetic material. It too is vital to the immune system, and has additionally been implicated in helping wound healing. Finally, it has been shown to combat toxic pollution.
Deficiencies of selenium may be present when brown aging spots, poor skin tone, infections, or cataracts occur. It is not recommended to exceed 200 mcg per day; the usual dose being about 50 mcg daily.
Another essential mineral, chromium, is found to stimulate enzymatic metabolism of glucose, fatty acid synthesis, and reduction of cholesterol. Chromium is stored in the spleen, kidneys, testes, and is difficult for the body to absorb. As one ages, there is less chromium stored. Patients on glucose, or those who have a viral infection, use more chromium and acquire a nutritional need for more.
Deficiencies can be traced by atherosclerosis. Another potential deficiency may manifest itself as pernicious anemia.
Chromium is found abundantly in brewer’s yeast, meat, whole grains and nuts.
Cobalt is not produced within the body, and is acquired in animal sources for its adequate supply. Cobalt activates enzymes and is necessary for normal cellular function.
Copper is a trace mineral found throughout the body assisting in the formation of hemoglobin and red blood cells by allowing the absorption of iron.
There are foods and vitamins which aid in nutritional balance and prevent associated illnesses which result without them. Carrots, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes have an abundance of vitamin A, and beta carotene (carotenoid), protects against tumor growth and cancerous disorders. Together these vitamins help boost white blood cell activity. Raisins, whole grain breads, cereals, prune juice, wheat bran, and brewer’s yeast provide iron, and along with copper, necessary for iron to be absorbed, is used in the manufacture of hemoglobin.
This mineral is a component of several essential enzymes and has rarely been reported to be deficient in normal diets.
Iodine is an essential part of thyroid hormone which is necessary for normal metabolism and is found in the thyroid gland. Without sufficient iodine or thyroid hormone simple goiter results, which is an enlargement of the thyroid gland.
The people who lived around Chernobyl were taking iodine pills in order to saturate the thyroid gland with iodine so that very little of the radioactive iodine would be absorbed by the gland. During World War I, the neck sizes of people were huge due to the lack of iodine. In 1924, iodine was added to salt – making iodized salt – and gone were goiter and the enlarged necks.
Fetal deprivation of iodine can result in physical and mental retardation, or cretinism. Symptoms of inadequate thyroid hormone includes sluggish mental activity and weight gain, plus edema in various places on the body. There are an estimated 500 million people throughout the world with iodine deficiency.
The main sources of iodine in America are processed foods, iodized salt, and dairy products.
For many years fluoride has been added to waters throughout the country resulting in fewer incidences of tooth decay among its consumers. Fluoride prevents decay when incorporated into tooth enamel making it more resistant to the acid produced by mouth bacteria. It is also thought that fluoride may be helpful in strengthening bone.
In very large doses, fluoride is a rat poison, which would have most likely adverse affects on humans.