Roles of Minerals

The following information is simply a summary of the actions of certain minerals.
Please consult with a health professional before taking any supplements

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 nerve system, the production of hormones, digestion, and the utilization of nutrients in foods.

Calcium

• Builds and maintains bones and teeth regulates heart rhythm
• Eases insomnia helps regulate the passage of nutrients in and 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
• Reduces the incidence of colon cancer
• 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.

Chromium

• Works with insulin in the metabolism of sugar and stabilizes blood sugar levels
• Cleans the arteries by reducing Cholesterol and Triglyceride levels
• Helps transport amino acids to where the body needs them
• Helps control 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. 

• Necessary for the absorption and 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 and maintenance.
• Deficiency Symptoms: May result in general weakness, impaired respiration, skin sores.

Iodine

• regulating the body's production of energy,
• helps burn excess fat by stimulating the rate of metabolism.
• Proper mentality, speech, the condition of the hair, skin, and teeth are dependent upon a well-functioning thyroid gland.
• Deficiency Symptoms: May result in an enlarged thyroid gland, slow mental reaction, dry skin and hair, weight gain, loss of physical and mental vigor. 

• Combines 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.
• 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.
• Prevent fatigue and promotes good skin tone.
• Deficiency Symptoms: May result in weakness, paleness of skin, constipation, anemia. 

• Plays an important role in regulating the neuromuscular activity of the heart
• Maintains normal heart rhythm
• Necessary for proper calcium and Vitamin C metabolism
• Converts blood sugar into energy.
• Deficiency Symptoms: May result in calcium depletion, heart spasms, nerveness, muscular excitability, confusion; kidney stones.

Manganese

• An antioxidant nutrient Important in the blood breakdown of amino acids and the production of energy
• Necessary for the metabolism of Vitamin B-1 and Vitamin E
• Activates various enzymes which are important for proper digestion and utilization of foods
• A catalyst in the breakdown of fats and 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.

Potassium

• 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, nerve disorders, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, muscle damage.

Selenium

• 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
• 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. 

• Is an antioxidant nutrient
• Necessary for protein synthesis and wound healing
• Vital for the development of the reproductive organs, prostate functions and male hormone activity
• 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.

To see what Vitamins do click here.