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 nervous system, the
production of hormones, digestion, and the utilization of nutrients in foods.
CALCIUM
IMPORTANCE: Builds and maintains bones and teeth; regulates
heart rhythm; eases insomnia; helps regulate the passage of nutrients in & 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 and in current medical research reduces the
incidence of colon cancer, and 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.
MAGNESIUM
IMPORTANCE: Plays an important role in regulating the
neuromuscular activity of the heart; maintains normal heart rhythm; necessary for proper calcium
& Vitamin C metabolism; converts blood sugar into energy.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: May result in calcium depletion, heart
spasms, nervousness, muscular excitability, confusion; kidney stones.
IRON
IMPORTANCE: Its major function is to combine 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. It is also 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. Iron also prevent fatigue and
promotes good skin tone.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: May result in weakness, paleness of
skin, constipation, anemia.
IODINE
IMPORTANCE: Aids in the development and functioning of the
thyroid gland; regulates the body's production of energy; helps burn excess fat by stimulating
the rate of metabolism; mentality, speech, the condition of the hair, skin, & teeth are
dependent upon a well-functioning thyroid gland.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: May result in an enlarged thyroid
gland, slow mental reaction, dry skin & hair, weight gain, loss of physical & mental vigor.
COPPER
IMPORTANCE: Necessary for the absorption & 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 & maintenance.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: May result in general weakness,
impaired respiration, skin sores.
ZINC
IMPORTANCE: Is an antioxidant nutrient; necessary for
protein synthesis; wound healing; vital for the development of the reproductive organs, prostate
functions and male hormone activity; it 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.
MANGANESE
IMPORTANCE: An antioxidant nutrient; important in the blood
breakdown of amino acids and the production of energy; necessary for the metabolism of Vitamin
B-1 & Vitamin E; Activates various enzymes which are important for proper digestion &
utilization of foods; is a catalyst in the breakdown of fats & 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.
CHROMIUM
IMPORTANCE: Works with insulin in the metabolism of sugar
and stabilizes blood sugar levels; cleans the arteries by reducing Cholesterol & Triglyceride
levels; helps transport amino acids to where the body needs them; helps control the 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; arteriosclerosis, heart disease, depressed growth, obesity, tiredness.
POTASSIUM
IMPORTANCE: 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, nervous
disorders, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, muscle damage.
SELENIUM
IMPORTANCE: 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. Selenium also 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.
TRACE MINERALS
Minerals that occur in tiny amounts or traces. They play a major
role in health, since even minute portions of them can powerfully affect health. They are
essential in the assimilation and utilization of vitamins and other nutrients. They aid in
digestion and provide the catalyst for many hormones, enzymes and essential body functions and
reactions. they also aid in replacing electrolytes lost through heavy perspiration or extended
diarrhea and protects against toxic reaction and heavy metal poisoning.
