MINERALS
Scientists around the world know that life without minerals is just as impossible as life without water. Minute amounts can spell the difference between health and disease. Minerals are critical links in thousands of different, unique body functions, such as glucose metabolism or short-term memory. Many of these functions cannot occur if the necessary element is missing.
Minerals consists of approximately 0.6-1.0% of our total diet and are very hard for the body to digest. In fact, 92% of mineral supplements are not absorbed by the body at all.. The only way for the body to absorb most of the minerals digested is to supply them in a chelated form. This form can be natural or man-made. Chelated minerals are low molecular weight molecules that are readily absorbed and utilized by the body. As an example, the absorption of zinc in it's chelated form is increased by 200 - 300%!
What are trace minerals? Trace minerals are minerals that occur in tiny amounts or traces. They play a major role in health, since even minute portions of them can powerfully affect health. They are essential in the assimilation and utilization of vitamins and other nutrients. They aid in digestion and provide the catalyst for many hormones, enzymes and essential body functions and reactions. They also aid in replacing electrolytes lost through heavy perspiration or extended diarrhea and protects against toxic reaction and heavy metal poisoning.
How deficient in minerals is the American population? According to Mildred Seeling, Executive Director of the American College of Nutrition, 80 to 90 percent of the US population may be deficient in magnesium - only one of the dozens needed! The bottom line is this: most Americans have significant deficiencies in a variety of important minerals. Deficiencies in these minerals (especially the minerals listed below) have been linked to a large number of physical ailments as well as mental depression.
CHROMIUM
GENERAL: U.S. government studies show that 9 out of 10 Americans do not get enough chromium in their diet and that chromium deficiency may be a widespread problem. Chromium levels decrease gradually with age, while strenuous exercise, pregnancy, diabetes and stress can all cause the body to use up its chromium stores even faster.
IMPORTANCE: Works with insulin in the metabolism of sugar and stabilizes blood sugar levels; cleans the arteries by reducing Cholesterol & Triglyceride levels; helps transport amino acids to where the body needs them; helps control the appetite; medical research has shown that persons with low levels of Chromium in their bodies are more susceptible to having cancer and heart problems and becoming diabetic.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: May result in excessive fatigue, low energy level, obesity, depressed growth, glucose intolerance in diabetics; atherosclerosis, and heart disease.
MAGNESIUM
GENERAL: U.S. government studies show that our soils have been depleted of magnesium for decades so the plants we eat do not contain the levels they used to. Consuming fatty foods or alcohol inhibits magnesium absorption and nearly 40% of the magnesium in our foods leaches out during cooking.
IMPORTANCE: Plays a an important role in regulating the neuromuscular activity of the heart; maintains normal heart rhythm; necessary for proper calcium & Vitamin C metabolism; converts blood sugar into energy.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: May result in nervousness, confusion, excessive fatigue, calcium depletion, heart spasms, muscular excitability, and kidney stones.
ZINC
GENERAL: It had been thought that a zinc deficiency did not exist in the United States. But recent studies indicate that most Americans are deficient in zinc, either due to poor choice of diet, food processing, and food grown in nutrient poor soil.
IMPORTANCE: Is an antioxidant nutrient; necessary for protein synthesis; wound healing; vital for the development of the reproductive organs, prostate functions and male hormone activity; it governs the contractility of muscles; important for blood stability; maintains the body's alkaline balance; helps in normal tissue function; aids in the digestion and metabolism of phosphorus.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: May result in excessive fatigue, low energy level, decreased alertness, impaired cognition, delayed sexual maturity, prolonged healing wounds, white spots on finger nails, retarded growth, stretch marks, and susceptibility to infections.