Those Marvelous Minerals (part 1)

The purpose of proper nutrition is maintaining our bodies’ cells in an optimum state of health. There are six nutrients that our bodies need - protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. Probably the least acknowledged nutrients in this group of basics are minerals. Research reveals that adequate mineral intake may well be the foundation of good health. In this issue, we will discuss some general information about minerals - their function in the body, their effect, rich mineral sources, and supplementation.

Our bodies are made up of two types of substances: organic and inorganic. All organic compounds contain the element carbon and can be produced by plants and animals. Inorganic substances are found alone or in compounds in nature but are not produced by plants or animals. They are absorbed by plants from the soil and water and eaten by animals. These inorganic substances are called minerals. There are about 30 of these minerals found in the human body, all of which are necessary to maintain the health of our heart, nerves, muscles, hair, bones, blood, brain, etc.

Minerals are divided into two categories: major minerals and trace minerals. Major minerals are needed in large amounts by the body. For example the RDA (recommended daily allowance) of calcium, one of the major minerals, is 1000 - 1500 mgs, depending on age and gender. Some other major minerals are calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. The trace minerals get their name from the fact that they are found in very minute (trace) amounts in the body and may be toxic to us in larger quantities.  Some of the trace minerals include chromium, zinc and selenium.

How Minerals Function In The Body

Regulating the flow of bodily fluids is one of the most important functions of the minerals. They have the power to maintain a delicate internal water balance needed for all mental and physical processes. Through a process called osmosis, the minerals draw substances into and out of our cells. Osmosis occurs when areas with a larger concentration of minerals draws water from areas with a smaller concentration of minerals (as putting salt on raw vegetables draws water from out of the vegetable to its surface). In this way, a balance of the concentration of minerals is maintained between the fluid in the cells and the fluids outside. This is an ongoing process in the body because our bodily fluids are a solution of water and dissolved minerals or salts. These mineral salts each generate a tiny electrical charge and are called ions. Because of this electrical charge, the mineral salts in solution are known as electrolytes. Each of the electrolytes is either positively or negatively charged. Each cell is similar to a minute electrical battery with both positive and negative polarities. Good health depends on the cell receiving the electrolytic solution that contains the essential chemicals and minerals it needs.

Vitamins and Minerals

George L. Siefert, M.D. and H. Curtis Wood, Jr., M.D. state, "It is probably true that minerals may actually be more important than vitamins for good health and resistance to disease; some authorities having stated that many vitamins are functionless in the absence of minerals." Vitamins are found in the greatest quantities where the greatest quantities of minerals occur.  Plants use minerals obtained from the soil to manufacture vitamins. In our bodies these same minerals aid the vitamins in their work.

How Minerals Affect Us

Minerals have the power to rejuvenate us, strengthen our nervous system, grow new hair, normalize our heartbeat, give us a powerhouse of energy, improve our thinking power, overcome fatigue, and build a dynamic memory.  If we have a shortage of just one mineral, we can expect that our system will begin to weaken and lose its efficiency.  Eventually, disease will set in. This is demonstrated dramatically in the case of tests with laboratory animals whose very dispositions have been altered.  When their calcium was restricted they became irritable and belligerent. When the calcium balance was restored, they began to behave normally.

Mineral imbalance can alter our dispositions too, sometimes to the extreme.  A cause of schizophrenia may be a trace mineral deficiency in the brain.  It has been reported that more than 95% of persons suffering from this mental disease improved after trace mineral therapy.

Signs Of Mineral Deficiency

These signs include forgetfulness, easy to fatigue, lack of incentive, lackluster skin and hair, grouchiness, short temper, nervous tension, defeatist attitude, depression, revengeful, resigned to failure in life. Incredible as it may seem, the proper minerals can give us a more positive attitude about life.

Rich Mineral Sources

Fresh foods contain many more minerals (and those in a natural balance) than processed foods and there are some food sources that are particularly rich in minerals. These sources include dried fruit, brewer's yeast, alfalfa, kelp and dulse (two seaweeds that are readily available commercially in dried form).  Kelp contains the trace minerals iodine, cobalt, manganese, copper, sulphur, silicon, boron, aluminum, strontium, nickel, chromium, chlorine, phosphorus, barium, titanium, gallium, bismuth, tin, vanadium, silver, molybdenum, zinc and the major minerals potassium, magnesium, calcium, others - phew, that's a lot of minerals. It also contains vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, pantothenic acid and choline, and amino acids (the basis of proteins).  Kelp and dulse can be taken in tablet form or used as a condiment in granulated forms.  It is espe­cially good sprinkled on steamed vegetables and salads.

Mineral Supplements

Mineral supplements are sources of minerals to be used in addition to, not as a substitute for, good food.  Chelated minerals have the most “bioavailability” of the various forms of mineral supplements.  Chelation is the means of surrounding or enclosing a mineral atom by a larger protein molecule. This process changes the positive ionic (electrolyte) charge to a negative ionic charge, making it more readily absorbed through the villi of the intestines into the bloodstream, where the body can use them efficiently.  Chelated minerals are three times better assimilated than ordinary inorganic minerals.  Other good supplements include the citrate and lactate forms.  As with any supplement, choose only the very best quality.  Purchasing from an independent health food retailer will ensure this. In Part 2 we will talk about some of the major and minor minerals in more detail.

Health is not everything, but without spiritual and physical health, everything is nothing. Until next time we meet – may God Bless you with good health, with a little help from you!

The information in these columns is for educational purposes only and not to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Please consult your physician for any serious condition.

Len Rossi, ND has been a proponent of Natural Healing for 30 years. After a 25-year career as a pro wrestler, Len earned his Doctor Of Naturopathy degree in 1982 and is a Licensed Massage Therapist.