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Overview
Of Mineral Quick Reference Guide
As important as
vitamins are, they can do nothing for you without minerals. Vitamins cannot be
assimilated without the aid of minerals. And though the body can manufacture a
few vitamins, it cannot manufacture a single mineral. All tissues and internal
fluids of our body contain varying quantities of minerals. Minerals are
constituents of the bones, teeth, soft tissue, muscle, blood, and nerve cells.
They are vital to overall mental and physical well being.
Minerals act as catalysts for many biological reactions within the body,
including muscle response, the transmission of messages through the nervous
system, the production of hormones, digestion, and the utilization of nutrients
in foods.
CALCIUM
IMPORTANCE: Builds and maintains bones and teeth; regulates heart rhythm; eases
insomnia; helps regulate the passage of nutrients in & out of the cell
walls; assists in normal blood clotting; helps maintain proper nerve and muscle
function; lowers blood pressure; important to normal kidney function and in
current medical research reduces the incidence of colon cancer, and reduces
blood cholesterol levels.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: May result in arm and leg muscles spasms, softening of
bones, back and leg cramps, brittle bones, rickets, poor growth, osteoporosis (a
deterioration of the bones), tooth decay, depression.
MAGNESIUM
IMPORTANCE: Plays 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 calcium depletion, heart spasms, nervousness,
muscular excitability, confusion, and kidney stones.
IRON
IMPORTANCE: Its major function is to combine with protein and copper in making
hemoglobin. Hemoglobin transports oxygen in the blood from the lungs to the
tissues, which need oxygen to maintain basic life functions. Iron builds up the
quality of the blood and increases resistance to stress and disease. It is also
necessary for the formation of myoglobin, which is found only in muscle tissue.
Myoglobin supplies oxygen to muscle cells for use in the chemical reaction that
results in muscle contraction. Iron also prevent fatigue and promotes good skin
tone.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: May result in weakness, paleness of skin, constipation, and
anemia.
IODINE
IMPORTANCE: Aids in the development and functioning of the thyroid gland;
regulates the body's production of energy; helps burn excess fat by stimulating
the rate of metabolism; mentality, speech, the condition of the hair, skin,
& teeth are dependent upon a well-functioning thyroid gland.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: May result in an enlarged thyroid gland, slow mental
reaction, dry skin & hair, weight gain, loss of physical & mental vigor.
COPPER
IMPORTANCE: Necessary for the absorption & utilization of Iron; helps
oxidize Vitamin C and works with Vitamin C to form Elastin, a chief component of
the Elastin muscle fibers throughout the body; aids in the formation of red
blood cells; helps proper bone formation & maintenance.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: May result in general weakness, impaired respiration, skin
sores.
ZINC
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 delayed sexual maturity, prolonged healing
wounds, white spots on finger nails, retarded growth, stretch marks, fatigue,
decreased alertness, susceptibility to infections.
MANGANESE
IMPORTANCE: An antioxidant nutrient; important in the blood breakdown of amino
acids and the production of energy; necessary for the metabolism of Vitamin B-1
& Vitamin E; Activates various enzymes which are important for proper
digestion & utilization of foods; is a catalyst in the breakdown of fats
& cholesterol; helps nourish the nerves and brain; necessary for normal
skeletal development; maintains sex hormone production.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: May result in paralysis, convulsions, dizziness, ataxia,
loss of hearing, digestive problems, blindness and deafness in infants.
CHROMIUM
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 glucose intolerance in diabetics;
arteriosclerosis, heart disease, depressed growth, obesity, tiredness.
POTASSIUM
IMPORTANCE: Works with sodium to regulate the body's waste balance and normalize
heart rhythms; aids in clear thinking by sending oxygen to the brain; preserves
proper alkalinity of body fluids; stimulates the kidneys to eliminate poisonous
body wastes; assists in reducing high blood pressure; promotes healthy skin.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: May result in poor reflexes, nervous disorders, respiratory
failure, cardiac arrest, and muscle damage.
SELENIUM
IMPORTANCE: A major antioxidant nutrient, it protects cell membranes and
prevents free radical generation thereby decreasing the risk of cancer and
disease of the heart and blood vessels. Medical surveys show that increased
selenium intake decreases the risk of breast, colon, lung and prostate cancer.
Selenium also preserves tissue elasticity; slows down the aging and hardening of
tissues through oxidation; helps in the treatment and prevention of dandruff.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: May result in premature aging, heart disease, dandruff, and
loose skin.
Trace,
Minerals, Electrolytes and Salts
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.
CHLOROPHYLL
IMPORTANCE: Chlorophyll
(from the Greek chloros - "yellowish green") is the green pigment that
a plant uses to capture the sun’s energy for photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is
the process by which plants manufacture their own food, converting minerals
absorbed from the soil into vitamins, fats, proteins and starches. When you
consume plants, you take in these nutrients.
Chlorophyll, a natural "deodorizer," is common in mouth wash, breath
fresheners and deodorant. Taken internally, it may cleanse the blood and promote
cell health and improved immune function.
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