July 31, 2007

What Exactly Are Minerals?

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Unlike vitamins, minerals are considered "inorganic elements". In other words, they cannot be produced by our bodies. Instead, they come from the earth. You could consider minerals as "leftovers" from decomposed plants, animals, and people....

Unlike vitamins, minerals are considered "inorganic elements". In other words, they cannot be produced by our bodies. Instead, they come from the earth. You could consider minerals as "leftovers" from decomposed plants, animals, and people. Their composition is that of ash.

Even though our bodies do not make these substances naturally, they are just as important for our survival as vitamins are. They are absolutely essential to take in and once absorbed, are found mostly in our bones and bodily fluids. A large majority of the minerals that we take in through food is used in the form of calcium and phosphorus. These two minerals make up more than 75% of those that our body stores.

Without minerals, our body would not be able to perform the thousands of biological functions that it does day in and day out. Minerals also work synergistically with hormones, enzymes, and vitamins. They are also a key element in supporting strong healthy bones and teeth.

Equally important, minerals are a vital part of the body's ability to practice healthy cell function. Cells are constantly being reproduced and regenerated by new ones, and this could not happen without the role of minerals.

When the human body becomes deficient in these important minerals, this creates low cell reproduction and opens a person up to chronic diseases. Cancer is quite often linked to a lack of these life-giving minerals. For example, there are scientific studies which prove that some minerals have anti-cancer properties. Selenium and zinc are such minerals. When selenium and zinc are lacking inside a person that has cancer, certain types of cancer have a greater chance of spreading to other parts of the body.

How do you get enough minerals into your system?

There are many reports from so-called leading experts in the field of nutrition that claim that a person can get all of the minerals they need through a healthy diet alone. But scientific literature that has been produced over the recent years does not support this theory.

Of course, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and healthy fats will go a long way in getting the proper amount of minerals that your body requires. However, you must remember that your body does not produce minerals, and so supplementing your diet with a mineral tablet will provide you with the "insurance" that you are doing all you can. There are many supplement choices to choose from on the market but before you make any decisions, consult with your doctor first.