Mineral Supplements

About Mineral Supplements

Minerals consist of a broad range of nutrient that are essential for human health. They are called essential because the human body does not have the capacity to synthesize them. Therefore, if they are not obtained through the diet or from supplements, deficiencies can develop leading to poor health and support the progression of chronic degenerative disease.

The mineral content of the food we eat is dictated by the soil content where the plant grew. When it comes to animal products, the mineral level is determined by the soil level where the plants grew that they consumed. And these days, animals are often supplemented nutrients as well. It stands to reason that soil deficient in a mineral, boron for example, will lead to deficits of this mineral in plants grown there, and any animal or human that consume those plants regularly.

Some of the minerals are categorised into electrolytes, which are often added to sports drinks that enhance hydration. These are sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and chloride. A sixth electrolyte, phosphorus, is only found in low amounts in sweat, and is typically abundant in the Western diet anyway. Magnesium, an important electrolyte, has more than 300 uses in the human body! A few of these are maintaining muscular relaxation, supporting bone health and keeping neurotransmitters balanced in the brain. Another important mineral is sulphur, which is naturally found in garlic and onions and is needed for detoxification purposes and to support connective tissue health.

There are also a range of trace minerals, which we need less of compared to other minerals. However, their reqreuiement in lower concentrations does not detract from their importance to human health. Some of the trace minerals are Molybdenum, Manganese, Iron and Iodine. The uses for each of these minerals extends well beyond their typical health-association-even minerals get stereotyped! For instance, iron, typically prescribed for anemia to maintain red blood cell health, is also needed for the competent functioning of the immune system, while the thyroid mineral iodine has an antioxidant effect and may be crucial for breast and prostate tissue protection.