Written by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC in the book Prescription for Nutritional Healing, p. 30.
Every living cell on this planet depends on minerals for proper function and structure. Minerals are needed for the proper composition of body fluids, the formation of blood and bone, the maintenance of healthy nerve function, and the regulation of muscle tone, including that of the muscles of the cardiovascular system. Like vitamins, minerals function as coenzymes, enabling the body to perform its functions, including energy production, growth, and healing. Because all enzymes activities involve minerals, minerals are essential for the proper utilization of vitamins and other nutrients.
The human body, as all nature, must maintain its proper chemical balance. This balance depends on the levels of different minerals in the body and especially the ratios of certain minerals levels to one another. The level of each mineral in the body has an effect on every other, so if one is out of balance, all minerals levels are effected. If not corrected, this can start a chain reaction of imbalances that leads to illness.
Minerals are naturally occurring elements found in the earth. Rock formations are made up of mineral salts. Rock and stone are gradually broken down into tiny fragments by erosion, a process that can take literally millions of years.
The resulting dust and sand accumulated, forming the basis of soil. The soil is teeming with microbes that utilize these tiny crystals of mineral salts, which are then passed from the soil to plants. Herbivorous animals eat the plants. We obtain these minerals by consuming plants or herbivorous animals.
Nutritionally, minerals belong to two groups: bulk minerals (also called macrominerals) and trace minerals (microminerals).
Bulk minerals include calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. These are needed in larger amounts than trace minerals. Although only minute quantities of trace minerals are needed, they are nevertheless important for good health and maintaining balance. Trace minerals include boron, chromium, copper, germanium, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, silicon, sulfur, vanadium, and zinc.
Because minerals are stored primarily in the body’s bone and muscle tissue, it is possible to develop mineral toxicity if extremely large quantities are consumed. Such situations are rare, however, because toxic levels of mineral generally accumulate only is massive amounts are ingested for a prolonged period of time.
Tips for better absorption of minerals: 1. ) Don’t take minerals with a meal because the minerals will get chelated in the stomach during digestion. 2. ) If taking a fiber supplement, take at different times then mineral supplement as the fiber decreases the body’s absorption of minerals. 3. ) Buy Zeta Max and take it daily, contains 70 minerals your body needs everyday.
