Minerals - More Necessary Than Vitamins
What are Minerals? Why Do We Need Minerals?
Minerals make up our body and keep each one of the body's system and organs working in sync. When minerals are not present things go awry…
Minerals are the "Electrolytes" in our body that maintain bodily functions and give us a healthy mind and body. They also give our bones and tendons enough density and strength to support our weight and enable our brain to function as it should.
Think of minerals as the battery in your body, as the battery is to your car. Without that battery in your car, it is not going turn over the starter. Well, same thing with your body with one slight difference. That difference is that your body can function on partial battery for a longer time, where the car will not.
Mineral deficiency taxes your body and ends up disabling different systems and organs. Over time when mineral depletion is prolonged, more symptoms appear:
- exaggerated tiredness (chronic fatigue syndrome)
- headaches (migraine, tension)
- dry skin
- dry hair
- brittle nails
- depression
- manic episodes
- paranoia
- and even obesity
None of the above "symptoms" are recognized as a mineral/vitamin problem. The drug companies have come up with all kinds of little pills to counteract these symptoms when all that is usually needed is a regular daily supply of minerals.
Many well-respected scientists, researchers and medical professionals have established a relationship between mineral deficiencies and a wide variety of health conditions which afflict the human body. Additionally, extensive medical research, clinical and hospital studies have confirmed the effectiveness of minerals to alleviate many of these health conditions.
For example: Diabetes or Hypoglycemia involve chromium, zinc and vanadium deficiencies; Cancer and Heart Disease involve selenium, copper, and more. Most everyone knows that Osteoporosis involves a Calcium deficiency, but fewer people know about the need for Magnesium and Boron as well.
Baldness and premature graying is also caused by missing minerals. Life without minerals? Impossible! Did you know that proteins, enzymes and hormones are all formed from minerals? Minerals are the cornerstone of good health as well as all prevention and recovery programs.
"It is not commonly known that in the absence of minerals, vitamins have no function. Lacking vitamins, our system can make use of the minerals, but lacking minerals, the vitamin is useless." The human body can manufacture some vitamins, (B in the intestinal tract, D from sunshine) but the body cannot manufacture its own minerals - they must be supplied by food and water. When in adequate amounts, they make a strong healthy mind and body. When they are lacking, disease sets in… Charles Northen, M.D. & Bernard Spur, M.D. authors of " Know Your Nutrition."
What are Electrolytes? Why Do We Need Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are substances that dissociate (undergo a reversible or temporary breakdown of a molecule into simpler molecules or atoms) into ions (An atom or a group of atoms that has acquired a net electric charge by gaining or losing one or more electrons) when fused or in solution. They are then capable of conducting electricity. In the body, Electrolytes play an essential role in the workings of the cells and in maintaining healthy fluid levels and a normal acid-alkaline ratio.
When Electrolytes are in short supply, or are not in the correct proportion, other symptoms occur in your body. Those symptoms can be subtle and most people will ignore the symptoms until illness occurs.
If a body does not have the optimum number or the correct proportion of Electrolytes in the system all kinds of things happen to you. Vitamins and minerals cannot be absorbed and you end up with "symptoms" such as sluggish drained feeling, slight depression, headaches, dry mouth, ever so slight dizziness, dry skin, or dry hair.
What is a pH Level? What is Normal?
The term pH (potential of Hydrogen concentration) is used to identify the intensity of an acid or alkali. The potential ranges from 0 (extremely acidic) to 14 (extremely alkaline). The fluids in our bodies, optimally, should have a neutral pH level, which is 7.0 -> 7.2.
No health disorder or disease can possibly sustain itself when the pH is maintained in the neutral zone. At this level, the body:
- is highly oxygenated
- detoxifies and heals itself
- cells are energized
- has a strong immunity to all diseases
All regulatory systems in the body are constantly working to keep the correct pH level in the body. The acid-alkaline balance regulates one's breathing, circulation, digestion, elimination, hormonal production, immune system and much more.
A very easy and simple way to check your overall health is to test the pH of your saliva and urine. pH testing papers can be found in some Pharmacies and Health Food Stores. This test shows if your body fluids are either acidic, alkaline or within an acceptable range.
Author S. Whang, in his book "Reverse Aging" states that, "As long as there are sufficient amounts of alkaline minerals in the body, poisonous acids are neutralized. When there is not an adequate supply of calcium or other alkaline minerals in the body, the body borrows calcium from bones to survive."
The Principal Alkaline Minerals Include:
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Aluminum
- Zinc
The Principal Acidic Minerals Include:
- Sulfur
- Chlorine
- Fluoride
- Iodine
- Silicon
