Magnesium (Mg)

Magnesium is an essential mineral that accounts for about 0.05% of the body’s total weight. Magnesium is involved in activating enzymes necessary for the metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids. By countering the stimulative effect of calcium, magnesium plays an important role in neuromuscular contractions. It also helps regulate the acid-alkaline balance in the body. Magnesium helps promote absorption and metabolism of other minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium. It also helps utilize the B Complex and Vitamins C and E in the body. It aids during bone growth and is necessary for proper functioning of the muscles including those of the heart.

Magnesium deficiency has been associated with the following symptoms or illnesses:

Anxiety

Asthma

Anorexia

Birth Defects

Calcification of Arteries

Confusion

Depression

Growth Failures

Hyperactivity

Hypertension

Hypothermia

Insomnia

Irritability

Malignant Calcification

of Soft Tissue

Menstrual Migraines

Muscle Weakness,

Tremors, Pains

Neuromuscular Problems

Restlessness

Seizures

SIDS Sudden Infant Death

Tachycardia/Palpitations

Tetany - Convulsions

Tremors

Vertigo

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Calcium (Ca)

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and the fifth most abundant substance. About 99% is deposited in the bones and teeth. The remaining 1% is involved in the soft tissues, intracellular fluids and blood. The major function of Calcium is to act in cooperation with phosphorus to build and maintain bones and teeth. Another important function is the storage of the mineral in the bones for use by the body. The Calcium state of the bones is constantly fluctuating according to the diet and to the body’s needs. The 1% of ionized Calcium that circulates in the fluids of the body is small, but vital, to life. It is essential for healthy blood and eases insomnia and its delicate messenger ions help regulate the heartbeat. Calcium assists in the process of blood clotting and helps prevent the accumulation of too much acid or too much alkali in the blood. It also plays a part in secretion of hormones. It affects neurotransmitters (serotonin, acetylcholine and norepinephrine), nerve transmission, muscle growth and muscle contraction. The mineral acts as a messenger from the cell surface to the inside of the cell and helps regulate the passage of nutrients in and out of the cell walls.

Calcium deficiency has been associated with the following symptoms or illnesses:

Arthritis

Back Pain

Bell's Palsy

Bone Spurs

Brittle Fingernails

Calcium Deposits

Cognitive Impairment

Dillusions

Depression

Eczema

High Blood Pressure

Hyperactivity

Insomnia

Irritability

Kidney Stones

Limb Numbness

Muscle Cramps, Twitches, Spasms

Nervousness

Neuromuscular Excitability

Osteofibrosis

Osteoporosis

Panic Attacks

Peridontal Disease

Pica

Rickets

Retarded Growth

Tetany

Tooth Decay

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Iron (Fe)

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the World! Iron is a mineral concentrate in the blood, which is present in every living cell. It is the mineral that is found in the largest amounts in the blood. It is involved in respiration by being the main carrier vehicle for getting oxygen to all the cells in the body. It is essential to the oxidation of fatty acids.

Iron deficiency has been associated with the following symptoms or illnesses:

Anemia

Angular Stomatitis

Anorexia

Brittle Nails

Confusion

Constipation

Dirt Eating (PICA)

Dizziness

Dysphagia

Fatigue

Fragile Bones

GI Upset

Growth Retardation

Headaches

Ice Eating (PICA)

Heart Palpitation

Hemogloben

Irritability, Listlessness

Memory Deficits

Sore Tongue

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Potassium (K)

Potassium is an essential mineral found mainly in the intracellular fluid (98%), where it is the primary positive ion force. Potassium constitutes 5% of the total mineral content of the body. Potassium and sodium help regulate water balance within the body, that is, they help regulate the distribution of fluids on either side of the cell walls and preserve proper alkalinity of the body fluids. Potassium also regulates the transfer of nutrients to the cells. Potassium unites with phosphorus to send oxygen to the brain and also functions with calcium in the regulation of neuromuscular activity. The synthesis of muscle protein and protein from the amino acids in the blood requires potassium. Protein and carbohydrate metabolism are dependent upon potassium. It stimulates the kidneys to eliminate poisonous body wastes. Potassium works with sodium to help normalize the heartbeat.

Potassium deficiency has been associated with the following symptoms or illnesses:

Acne

Arrhythmia

Cognitive Impairment

Constipation

Depression

ECG Changes

Edemia

Fatigue

Glucose Intolerance

Growth Retardation

Hypocholesterolemia

Hyperreflexia

Insomnia

Mental Apathy

Muscular Weakness

Nervousness

Palpitations

Plydipsia

Proteinuria

Xerosis

"Salt" Retention

Rapid Heart Rate

Respiratory Distress  

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Sodium (Na)

     Is an essential mineral that is found in every cell in the body, but predominantly in the extracellular fluids, the vascular fluids (blood pH) within the blood vessels, arteries, veins and capillaries, and the intestinal fluids surrounding the cells. It functions with potassium to equalize the acid-alkali factor in the blood. Along with potassium, it helps regulate water balance within the body and it helps regulate the distribution of fluids on either side of the cell walls.

Intestinal Gas

Weight Loss

Short Attention Span

Vomiting

Palpitations

Muscle Weakness

Linked to Arthritis

Linked to Rheumatism

Linked to Neuralgia

Deficiency in Sodium can lead to Build Up of Acids in the Body

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Phosphorus (P)

Phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral in the body and is found in every cell. The balance of calcium and phosphorus is needed for them to be effectively used by the body. Phosphorus plays a part in almost every chemical reaction within the body because it is present in every cell. It is important in the utilization of carbohydrates, fats and protein for growth, maintenance and repair and mediation, both within and without the cells, and for the production of energy. It stimulates muscle contractions, including the regular contractions of the heart muscle. Niacin and riboflavin cannot be digested unless phosphorus is present. Phosphorus is an essential part of nucleoproteins, which are responsible for cell division and reproduction. Phosphorus helps prevent the accumulation of too much acid or too much alkali in the blood, assist in the passage of substances through the cell walls and promote the secretion of glandular hormones. It’s also needed for healthy nerves and efficient mental activity. B-Complex Vitamins and many enzymes require phosphorus to function.

Phosphorus deficiency has been associated with the following symptoms or illnesses:

Alopecia (Hair Loss)

Anemia

Aneurysms

Bone Pain

Dyspnea

Fatigue

Irritability

Numbess

Parathesias

Pica (Eating hair, wool, etc)

Tremulousnes

Weakness

Weight Loss  

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Sulfur(S)

     Sulfur is generally considered to be the 8th or 9th most abundant mineral in the human body. It is stored in every cell in the body, with the highest concentrations being in the joints, hair, skin, and nails.   Sulfur is also the least researched major mineral.

    As part of four amino acids, sulfur performs a number of functions in enzyme reactions and protein synthesis. It is necessary for formation of collagen, the protein found in connective tissue in our bodies. Sulfur is also present in keratin, which is necessary for the maintenance of the skin, hair, and nails, helping to give strength, shape, and hardness to these protein tissues. Sulfur, as cystine and methionine, is part of other important body chemicals: insulin, which helps regulate carbohydrate metabolism, and heparin, an anticoagulant. Taurine is found in bile acids, used in digestion. The sulfur-containing amino acids help form other substances as well, such as biotin, coenzyme A, lipoic acid, and glutathione. The mucopoly-saccharides may contain chondroitin sulfate, which is important to joint tissues.

     Sulfur is important to cellular respiration, as it is needed in the oxidation-reduction reactions that help the cells utilize oxygen, which aids brain function and all cell activity. These reactions are dependent on cysteine, which also helps the liver produce bile secretions and eliminate other toxins. L-cysteine is thought to generally help body detoxification mechanisms through the tripeptide compound, glutathione.

Sulfur deficiency has been associated with the following symptoms or illnesses:

Slow Wound Healing

Scar Tissue

Brittle Nails

Brittle Hair

Gastrointestinal Challenges

Convulsions

Acne

Lung Dysfunction due to Inflammation

Arthritis

Memory Loss

Rashes

Depression

  Immune Dysfunction

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Chloride(Cl)

    Chloride is the most recent addition to the list of essential elements. Plants may take up as much chloride as they do elements such as sulfur.

In general chloride has received little attention in dietary assessment and has been omitted from food composition tables. However, chloride content of infant cow's milk and soy formulae has stimulated interest in the past 15 years because of iatrogenic hypochloremia induced by several infant formulas with deficient chloride concentrations.

    There is a high correlation between the sodium and chloride contents of the diet, and only under unusual circumstances do levels of sodium and chloride vary in the diet independently. Adequate intake of sodium chloride is required for maintenance of extracellular fluid volume. Chloride is both actively and passively absorbed. Urine excretion reflects chloride intake, with low or no chloride found in deficiency states.

Chloride deficiency has been associated with the following symptoms or illnesses:

Nausea

Dizziness

Muscle Cramping

Reduced Appetite

Poor Growth

Apathy

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Selenium (Se)

Is an essential mineral found in minute amounts in the body. It is one of the essential body substances that can be used in a preventive manner for many diseases, including cancer, arterio-sclerosis, stroke, cirrhosis, arthritis and emphysema. Selenium functions either alone or with enzymes. It is a natural antioxidant that protects against free radicals and appears to preserve elasticity of tissue that becomes less elastic with aging. All diseases that are associated with aging are affected by the workings of Selenium.

Selenium deficiency has been associated with the following symptoms or illnesses:

Age Spots/Liver Spots

ALS (Lou Gerhrig's Disease)

Alzheimer's

Anemia

Cardiomyopathy

Cataracts

Cancer Risk

Cystic Fibrosis

Fatigue

Growth Retardation

Hearth Palpatations

High Infant Mortality

HIV

Impaired Immunity

Keshan Disease

Liver Cirrhosis

Low Birth Weight

Multiple Sclerosis

Muscular Dystrophy

Myalgia

Pancreatitis

Sickle Cell Anemia

Scoliosis

Sterility in Mails

SIDS Sudden Infant Death Sydrome

Parkinson's

(associated lead poison)  

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Zinc (Zn)

Is an essential trace mineral occurring in the body in larger amounts than any other trace element except iron. It is present in all tissues. Zinc is known for its ability to fight disease and to protect the immune system. It is involved in the Krebs cycle and energy production. More recently, blindness in the elderly has been found to be arrested by zinc. It is also credited with increasing male sex drive and potency because of its ability to regulate testosterone in the prostate.

Zinc deficiency has been associated with the following symptoms or illnesses:

Acne

Alopecia (Hair Loss)

Anemia

Anorexia or Bulimia

Apathy

Birth Defects

Bad Body Odors

Brittle Nails

Depression

Diarrhea

Enlarged Prostate

Eczema

Fatigue

"Frizzy" Hair

High Infant Mortality

Hypercholesterolemia

Hypogewusia (loss of taste)

Infertility

Impaired Wound Healing

Impotence

Irritability

Lethargy

Loss of Sense of Smell

Malabsorption

Memory Loss

Paranoia

Pica (eating wool, hair, etc)

Poor Growth

Sexual Immaturity

Poor Ovary Function

Poor Testes Function

Sterility

Weakened Immune Function

White Spots on Nails  

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Manganese (Mn)

Plays an important role, as an antioxidant, in the prevention of toxic oxygen forms. It may play a part in the degenerative process called aging. It also plays a role in activating numerous enzymes that are necessary for utilization of choline, biotin, thiamine and Vitamin C complex. It is a catalyst in the synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol and mucopolysaccharides.

Mangansese deficiency has been associated with the following symptoms or illnesses:

Asthma

Ataxia

Atheroscleosis

Chondromalacia

Chondrodystrophy

Convulsions

Dizziness

Hearing Loss

Hypocholerolemia

Hypoglocemia

Infertility

Loss of Sex Drive

Pancreatic Atrophy

Poor Cartilage Formation

Carpal Tunnel, TMJ

Retarded Growth Rates

Shortened Long Bones

Still Birth/Spontaneus Miscarriages

Tinnitus

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Copper (Cu)

Is found in all body tissues. During growth, the largest concentrations occur in the developing tissues. It is also one of the most important blood antioxidants and prevents the rancidity of poly-unsaturated fatty acids and helps the cell membranes remain healthy.

Copper deficiency has been associated with the following symptoms or illnesses:

Alopecia (Hair Loss)

Anemia

Aneurysms

Arthritis

Cerebral Palsy

Criminal or Violent Behavior

Depression

Dermatosis

Diarrhea

Dry Brittle Hair

Fatigue

Fragile Bones

Hernias

High Blood Cholesterol

Hypocholestolemia

Hypo or Hyper Thyroid

Ptosis (sagging skin/tissue)

Kawasaki Disease

Learning Disabilities

Liver Cirrhosis

Ruptured Disc Problems

Respiratory Disease

Swachman's Syndrome

Varicose Veins

White or Grey Hair

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Cobalt (Co)

Is an essential mineral and is an integral part of Vitamin B12. Cobalt acts as a substitute for manganese in activating a number of enzymes in the body. It replaces zinc in some enzymes and activates others as well. It is necessary for normal functioning and maintenance of red blood cells, as well as all other body cells. It is present in ocean and sea vegetation, but is lacking in almost all land grown, green foods.

Cobalt deficiency has been associated with the following symptoms or illnesses:

Fatigue

Slow Growth Rate