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Minerals & Nutrition > Introduction
Minerals are the building blocks of nature. They provide a matrix for the
formation of molecules in all matter and conduct energy around the body.
Minerals are essential for the proper function and health of body as they
are the catalysts which help the body to process vitamins and other nutrients.
Our everyday diet?
Minerals are essential to the proper functioning of the body, but
are we getting sufficient minerals in our everyday diet?
We get our minerals in organic form from plants, and plants get them
in metallic form from the soil, so our mineral intake is dependant on
the mineral content of the soil. Over the years there has been a gradual
depletion of minerals in the soil due to over-farming. The introduction of
artificial fertilizers at the beginning of the last century greatly
increased crop yields but only put three nutrients back into the soil:-
Nitrate, phosphate, potassium, (NPK) which is sufficient for crops to flourish but
nowhere near enough for humans to flourish.
According to nutritionists, we need over 70 different minerals
to maintain good health as and mind and as minerals are not
distributed evenly around the earth, it is easy for us to develop an
imbalance and supplementation is vital for continued good health.
Research indicates that people with mineral
imbalances suffer more from physical, mental and emotional problems than
those who have a good nutritional balance of minerals.
Vitamins are manufactured by plants and nature and
are important for bodily function and
we are often reminded to take extra vitamins,
however they can do nothing for us without minerals. Vitamins cannot be
assimilated without the aid of minerals. And provided the body has
sufficient minerals, it can even manufacture some vitamins, it cannot
manufacture minerals.
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 the many biological and electrical
reactions within the body, muscle response, the transmission of
messages and energy through the nervous system, the production of
hormones, digestion, and the utilization of nutrients in foods. Minerals
have both structural and functional roles. They are components of body
tissues and fluids and work in combination with enzymes, hormones,
vitamins and transport substances.
Here is a summary:-
1-Structural
Minerals assist:
Proper composition of body fluids.
Formation of blood and bones.
Maintenance of a healthy nerve function.
Regulation of muscle tone including
that of the cardiovascular system.
2-Enzyme
Activation.
Like vitamins, minerals function as
coenzymes, enabling the body to perform functions like energy
production, growth and healing. Because all enzyme activity involves
minerals, they are essential to the proper utilization of vitamins and
their nutrients.
3-Hormones. Minerals are part of hormones.
4-Minerals form part of important substances, such as iron, in
haemoglobin, cabalt in B12.
5-Fluid and electrical balance.
Minerals are essential for proper tissue fluid balance and electrical
activity across cell membranes.
6-pH
Minerals are responsible for
maintained and regulation of pH of the
tissue and blood. |
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