Minerals and their role in the human body

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

RDI:1,000mg BBRDI:2,600mg

Function: 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.

Food sources: dairy products, oysters, antacid tablets, broccoli and other leafy green vegetables.

MAGNESIUM

RDI:400mg BBRDI:800mg

Function: 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; kidney stones.

Food sources: green vegetables, oatmeal, legumes, whole grains, fruit and nuts.

IRON

RDI:18mg BBRDI:60mg

Function: 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, anemia.

Food sources: red meat, poultry, liver, nuts, chocolate, legumes, whole grains, eggs.

IODINE

RDI:150mcg BBRDI:200-400mcg

Function: 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.

Food sources: iodized salt, seafood, cod-liver oil, oysters, spinach.

COPPER

RDI:2mg BBRDI:3-6mg

Function: 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.

Food sources: liver, seafood, nuts, meat, mushrooms.

ZINC

RDI:15mg BBRDI:60mg

Function: 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.

Food sources: whole grains, liver, meat, eggs, seafood, maple syrup.

MANGANESE

RDI:2mg BBRDI:45mg

Function: 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.

Food sources: whole grains, spinach, brussel sprouts, peas, corn, bananas.

CHROMIUM

RDI:120mcg BBRDI:200-800mcg

Function: 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; atherosclerosis, heart disease, depressed growth, obesity, tiredness.

Food sources: meat, liver, bread, beer, brown rice, cheese.

POTASSIUM

RDI:? BBRDI:?

Function: 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, muscle damage.

Food sources: common in many foods! No need to supplement.

SELENIUM

RDI:70mcg BBRDI:200-400mcg

Function: A major antioxidant nutrient, 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, loose skin.

Food sources: nuts, meat, liver, whole grains, seafood.

SODIUM

RDI: Around 2 gram each day. When it is warm and you are very active you need even more than this average, and when it is cold and you are less active you need less.

Function: Works with potassium to regulate the body's waste balance, regulate body acidity and water ballance. Together with potassiun it is a tool in the transmission of nerve signals and signals in the brain. It is necessary together with clorine to provide the right physical environments for the biochenical reactions in each cell.

Deficiency symptoms: When one is deficient in sodium one gets tired, weak and mentally blunt. Extreme deficiency may result in swelling of the brain which can result in death if gross. This happens sometimes if a person is very active in many hours, sweating very much during the cativity and only consumes pure water during this tine. Conequences of over-consume: Most persons get too much natrium dailym, because they consume too much salty food. Too much natrium intake can lead to high blood pressure and heart problems.

Food sources: Salt and salty food.




These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information is nutritional in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. This notice is required by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.