1. Systems Genetics of Mineral Metabolism
Minerals are essential and toxic elements that have an impact on human health. Although we have learned a tremendous amount about the metabolism, biological roles, and health effects of minerals with the tools of biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular genetics, there are gaps in our knowledge of mineral biology that will benefit from new approaches. Forward genetics, whereby variations in phenotypes are mapped to natural genetic variation in the genome, has been successfully used to increase our understanding of many biologically important traits but has not yet been used extensively for mineral metabolism. In addition, the well-appreciated existence of interactions between minerals justifies a broader, systems approach to the study of mineral metabolism, i.e., ionomics. This short review will explain the value of forward genetics and ionomics as tools for exploring mammalian mineral metabolism.
Summary: I found this article to be informative on a different aspect of Mineral Knowledge. We do not know what all minerals have to offer us, and knowing that there is still research being conducted may help the understandment of importance.
Summary: I found this article to be informative on a different aspect of Mineral Knowledge. We do not know what all minerals have to offer us, and knowing that there is still research being conducted may help the understandment of importance.
2. Do Minerals Contain Vitamins?
It's easy to confuse minerals and vitamins when it comes to nutrition. Adding to the confusion, "multi-vitamin" pills often contain both
vitamins and minerals. In fact, vitamins and minerals -- while both necessary to maintain health -- are completely separate and distinct from one
another. Minerals are ions, charged chemical particles, that you require for a variety of purposes, explain Drs. Mary Campbell and Shawn Farrell in their book "Biochemistry." There are many different minerals, some of which are metals like sodium and zinc, and others of which are non-metals, including chloride and iodide. You can obtain minerals from food sources, seafood is a rich source of zinc, and table salt contains both sodium and chloride, or you can get them by supplementing your diet with pills. Vitamins are larger chemicals than minerals. In general, they're carbon-based molecules that assist in body reactions in one of several ways. Some vitamins help enzymes to function, where an enzyme is a chemical that assists in and regulates other chemical reactions, explain Drs. Reginald Garrett and Charles Grisham in their book "Biochemistry." Other vitamins assist
in regulating processes like blood clotting, have immune system function, and are essential to vision. As with minerals, you can obtain vitamins from food or supplements. Most foods contain a mixture of many different vitamins and minerals. For instance, shellfish are rich sources of several minerals, including zinc, and several vitamins as well -- B-12 among them. Generally speaking, the less processed a food is, the more likely it is to contain a mixture of many different vitamins and minerals. Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of both vitamins and minerals, and the most brightly colored of the fruits and vegetables are among the most vitamin- and mineral-rich. Supplements, While it's not correct to say that minerals contain vitamins -- by definition, minerals are one thing and vitamins are quite another -- in common parlance, it may be reasonable to say that multivitamins contain minerals. Many brands of multivitamin supplement pills, including men's and women's daily multivitamins and prenatal vitamins, contain minerals as well as vitamins. On their own, however, vitamins don't contain minerals. A vitamin D supplement, for instance, is just that -- vitamin D.
Summary: This article is great in defining the differences between minerals and vitamins. Minerals and vitamins are commonly mistaken for one another, which may lead to some people intaking the incorrect nutrution needed. Here it explains what each are, and what they do. It also informs on where they can be found within generally used foods.
vitamins and minerals. In fact, vitamins and minerals -- while both necessary to maintain health -- are completely separate and distinct from one
another. Minerals are ions, charged chemical particles, that you require for a variety of purposes, explain Drs. Mary Campbell and Shawn Farrell in their book "Biochemistry." There are many different minerals, some of which are metals like sodium and zinc, and others of which are non-metals, including chloride and iodide. You can obtain minerals from food sources, seafood is a rich source of zinc, and table salt contains both sodium and chloride, or you can get them by supplementing your diet with pills. Vitamins are larger chemicals than minerals. In general, they're carbon-based molecules that assist in body reactions in one of several ways. Some vitamins help enzymes to function, where an enzyme is a chemical that assists in and regulates other chemical reactions, explain Drs. Reginald Garrett and Charles Grisham in their book "Biochemistry." Other vitamins assist
in regulating processes like blood clotting, have immune system function, and are essential to vision. As with minerals, you can obtain vitamins from food or supplements. Most foods contain a mixture of many different vitamins and minerals. For instance, shellfish are rich sources of several minerals, including zinc, and several vitamins as well -- B-12 among them. Generally speaking, the less processed a food is, the more likely it is to contain a mixture of many different vitamins and minerals. Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of both vitamins and minerals, and the most brightly colored of the fruits and vegetables are among the most vitamin- and mineral-rich. Supplements, While it's not correct to say that minerals contain vitamins -- by definition, minerals are one thing and vitamins are quite another -- in common parlance, it may be reasonable to say that multivitamins contain minerals. Many brands of multivitamin supplement pills, including men's and women's daily multivitamins and prenatal vitamins, contain minerals as well as vitamins. On their own, however, vitamins don't contain minerals. A vitamin D supplement, for instance, is just that -- vitamin D.
Summary: This article is great in defining the differences between minerals and vitamins. Minerals and vitamins are commonly mistaken for one another, which may lead to some people intaking the incorrect nutrution needed. Here it explains what each are, and what they do. It also informs on where they can be found within generally used foods.
3. What Are the 3 Vitamins & 3 Minerals That Keep Your Body and
Cardiovascular System Healthy?
Approximately 81 million American adults suffer from cardiovascular disease.
A disease that accounts for more deaths in the United States than any other major disease, according to the American Heart Association. For this reason, doctors urge patients to monitor their risk factors and create a heart-healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and a heart-healthy diet. Although the human body requires 13 essential vitamins and more than 20 essential minerals to function, three vitamins and three minerals are especially important in keeping the cardiovascular system health.
Summary: Cardiovascular disease is the number 1 killer in the United States. There are many ways to help reduce the risk of this disease by having a healthier life-style. There are many vitamins and minerals, and sometimes confusion occurs when it is time to take the correct essential minerals to function. This article informs on the important essentials to consume, in preventing heart disease and living better.
A disease that accounts for more deaths in the United States than any other major disease, according to the American Heart Association. For this reason, doctors urge patients to monitor their risk factors and create a heart-healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and a heart-healthy diet. Although the human body requires 13 essential vitamins and more than 20 essential minerals to function, three vitamins and three minerals are especially important in keeping the cardiovascular system health.
Summary: Cardiovascular disease is the number 1 killer in the United States. There are many ways to help reduce the risk of this disease by having a healthier life-style. There are many vitamins and minerals, and sometimes confusion occurs when it is time to take the correct essential minerals to function. This article informs on the important essentials to consume, in preventing heart disease and living better.
4. Mineral, Dietary
Mineral, dietary, any of a group of inorganic elements that are essential to humans and animals for normal body function. In nutrition, minerals are those elements for which the body's requirement is at least 100 mg per day, and trace minerals are those elements that are needed in smaller amounts. Dietary minerals are derived from the earth's crust. Plants extract the minerals from the soil, and humans and animals, in their turn, consume the plants. There are seven major minerals. Calcium occurs mainly in the teeth and bones, but a small amount is found in blood plasma and other body fluids, where it influences nerve transmission, blood clotting, and muscle contraction. Dairy products and green leafy vegetables are dietary sources of calcium, and an adequate intake of vitamin D is required for calcium absorption. Phosphorus, also found in dairy products, is closely allied to calcium in bone and tooth formation and its association with vitamin D. It is present in every cell in compounds such as nucleic acids and adenosine triphosphate. Magnesium, also present in every cell, is necessary for carbohydrate and protein metabolism, cell reproduction, and smooth muscle action. Dietary sources include nuts, soy beans, and cocoa. Sodium is in the skeleton and extracellular fluids and is necessary for fluid and acid-base balance, cell permeability, and muscle function. It occurs in table salt (sodium chloride, the main source) and such foods as milk and spinach. Potassium, which is found in intra- and extracellular fluid, plays a major role in fluid and electrolyte balance and in heart muscle activity, and is also required for carbohydrate metabolism and protein synthesis. Its sources include legumes, whole grains, and bananas. Chlorine is found in extracellular fluid, where it helps maintain normal fluid-electrolyte and acid-base balance, and in the stomach, where it helps provide the acidic environment necessary for digestion. Table salt is its main dietary source. Sulfur, which is important to the structure of proteins, is also necessary for energy metabolism, enzyme function, and detoxification. Sulfur is obtained from protein foods, such as meat, eggs, and legumes. Some trace minerals are considered "essential" in human nutrition. The essential trace minerals include iron, which is a constituent of hemoglobin; iodine, which is necessary for thyroxine synthesis; and cobalt, which is a component of vitamin B12. Other essential trace minerals are chromium, copper, fluorine, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc.
Summary: Review of all minerals and their essentail part in the body functions. Classifys the two types of minerals, and the foods they can be found in. Has a lot of clarification and what these minerals are meant to do, and what parts to help.
Summary: Review of all minerals and their essentail part in the body functions. Classifys the two types of minerals, and the foods they can be found in. Has a lot of clarification and what these minerals are meant to do, and what parts to help.
5. Herbal infusions as a source of calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper in human nutrition.
The study material consisted of five herbs: chamomile (flowers), mint (leaves), St John's wort (flowers and leaves), sage (leaves) and nettle (leaves), sourced from three producers. The calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper contents were determined for both dried herb samples and prepared infusions, and the extraction rates were calculated. Mineral components were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. Analysis showed that the contents of individual elements in herbs and infusions depended on the type of raw material, as well as on its origin. Moreover, it was found that iron penetrated the herbal infusions to the lowest degree (4.4-12.4%), while copper did so to the highest (26.7-50.7%). It is felt that in average consumption the herbal infusions are not important as calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper sources in human nutrition.
Summary: Explaination of how calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper are less effective in Herbal infusions. Determining the potency of the minerals will help in assisting with the proper intake. Good information for those who would be curious about herbal infusions.
Summary: Explaination of how calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper are less effective in Herbal infusions. Determining the potency of the minerals will help in assisting with the proper intake. Good information for those who would be curious about herbal infusions.
6. Hang On To Your Hair
Genes, toxins, hormones, and age all affect our hair, but nutrition also plays a key role. In fact, hair is especially likely to suffer from nutritional shortfalls .TO SURVIVE , the human body naturally assigns a pecking order to how nutrients are used, says Alan Christianson, NMD, medical director of Integrative Health Care in Scottsdale, Ariz. and author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Thyroid Disease. Essential internal organs such as the heart and brain get first priority, followed by muscles, bones, and connective tissue, and then skin and nails. "Hair is at the very bottom," says
Christianson. Those priorities make good survival sense. Hair loss isn't deadly or debilitating, but it isn't usually desirable, either. To get a handle on what you can do to keep a healthy head of hair, it helps to understand what influences its growth.
Meet The Hair Follicle - The word follicle comes from "follis," the Latin word for "bag." In this case, the bag holds the root of the hair and determines how well that hair will keep growing. "We're very dynamic." says Christianson, meaning that cells in our bodies are continually turning over, dying off, and being replaced. Consequently, he says, "We have an amazing ability to heal ourselves." The turnover occurs at different rates in different areas. For example, cells in the lining of the small intestine turn over in about 20 minutes, and skin cells turn over in a few days. Hair follicles regenerate much more slowly; it takes three months for their cells to be replaced by new ones. Because of this time lag, the state of the follicle is a historical picture of your body's nutritional condition. However, because the follicle is hidden under the skin, the hair that grows out of it is the only visible sign, and it has an even longer time lag. Hair grows at an average of one-half inch per month. Combine that with the three-month turnover of follicle cells, and the first half-inch of your current hair growth reflects your body's chemistry four months ago. A strand of hair that is four inches long would be a snapshot from eleven months ago. As we age, turnover of cells throughout the body becomes less efficient, and at some point, hair follicles may cease to support hair growth. Genes certainly play a role, but the right nutrition helps us make the most of our natural endowment.
Essential Hair Food - For healthy hair, Christianson ranks protein as the most important nutrient. Not as a total amount per day, but as a percentage of total daily calories, with 20-30 percent protein being optimal. "Protein is used to process, or break down all the food you eat," he says, in addition to repairing and rebuilding tissue. More specifically, for every 100 calories you eat, 10 calories of protein will be used to break down that food. Any remaining protein will be used to repair and rebuild tissues. If there isn't enough to go around, hair follicles will be the first to suffer (see "Eat Enourotein," at right). Christianson also recommends taking supplements of key minerals, healthy fats, a purified form of silica such as BioSil, and MSM for sulfur. These all support healthy follicles and hair growth.
Summary: Hair needs protein to grow! There are many factors to the damages and loses of hair, and not receiving enough or any nutrients at all causes these effects. Just about everything that needs to be taken into consideration about taking care of your hair will be found in this article. Explains the reasons and also tips to maintain those locks.
Christianson. Those priorities make good survival sense. Hair loss isn't deadly or debilitating, but it isn't usually desirable, either. To get a handle on what you can do to keep a healthy head of hair, it helps to understand what influences its growth.
Meet The Hair Follicle - The word follicle comes from "follis," the Latin word for "bag." In this case, the bag holds the root of the hair and determines how well that hair will keep growing. "We're very dynamic." says Christianson, meaning that cells in our bodies are continually turning over, dying off, and being replaced. Consequently, he says, "We have an amazing ability to heal ourselves." The turnover occurs at different rates in different areas. For example, cells in the lining of the small intestine turn over in about 20 minutes, and skin cells turn over in a few days. Hair follicles regenerate much more slowly; it takes three months for their cells to be replaced by new ones. Because of this time lag, the state of the follicle is a historical picture of your body's nutritional condition. However, because the follicle is hidden under the skin, the hair that grows out of it is the only visible sign, and it has an even longer time lag. Hair grows at an average of one-half inch per month. Combine that with the three-month turnover of follicle cells, and the first half-inch of your current hair growth reflects your body's chemistry four months ago. A strand of hair that is four inches long would be a snapshot from eleven months ago. As we age, turnover of cells throughout the body becomes less efficient, and at some point, hair follicles may cease to support hair growth. Genes certainly play a role, but the right nutrition helps us make the most of our natural endowment.
Essential Hair Food - For healthy hair, Christianson ranks protein as the most important nutrient. Not as a total amount per day, but as a percentage of total daily calories, with 20-30 percent protein being optimal. "Protein is used to process, or break down all the food you eat," he says, in addition to repairing and rebuilding tissue. More specifically, for every 100 calories you eat, 10 calories of protein will be used to break down that food. Any remaining protein will be used to repair and rebuild tissues. If there isn't enough to go around, hair follicles will be the first to suffer (see "Eat Enourotein," at right). Christianson also recommends taking supplements of key minerals, healthy fats, a purified form of silica such as BioSil, and MSM for sulfur. These all support healthy follicles and hair growth.
Summary: Hair needs protein to grow! There are many factors to the damages and loses of hair, and not receiving enough or any nutrients at all causes these effects. Just about everything that needs to be taken into consideration about taking care of your hair will be found in this article. Explains the reasons and also tips to maintain those locks.
7. The Importance Of Minerals To Health
We've all heard about the importance of a balanced diet and the good sense of taking a multi-vitamin supplement everyday. Many people though do not realize the incredible importance of getting enough of the essential minerals. It is not uncommon to hear about vitamins and minerals together but when most people read or think about maintaining optimum health; the emphasis seems to fall on the vitamins. Minerals are essential to maintaining good health. They help our body absorb and use vitamins and act as catalysts for a number of chemical processes. Our bodies can manufacture a number of vitamins but minerals cannot be made in by our cells. We must obtain all the minerals we need from our diet or through supplementation.
Minerals are classified in two categories: bulk minerals and trace minerals.
Bulk Minerals are those minerals that make up parts of our body such as bones and teeth. These minerals are need by the body in greater amounts and include calcium.
Trace minerals also have important functions in the body but are needed in much smaller amounts. For a long time, scientists didn't even believe that trace minerals were necessary and that there was no negative impact to a lack of trace minerals. That has been proven to not be true as trace minerals help the body in numerous ways including metabolism, functioning of the nervous system and many others. Minerals are also important for the balance they maintain in our body. Our bodies are approximately 70% water. It's important though that the fluids in our body be correctly balance. They cannot be too acidic nor too alkaline. Minerals help maintain both the balance in how much water our body holds but also maintain the acidity and alkalinity of the fluids. A number of our body's processes are electrical. Electrical charges in the body help our nervous system relay messages from our brain, help transport nutrients through the body and help our muscles function. Minerals are essential because their molecules carry positive and negative electrical charges. Without minerals, the fluids in our body would not conduct those electrical impulses. We need a variety of both bulk and trace minerals to guarantee optimum health. This is because minerals work in concert with one another rather than by themselves. Selenium helps iodine perform its functions. Magnesium helps the body use calcium. Boron helps in the utilization of both magnesium and calcium. It's important to get the correct amount of the whole array of minerals. While we can get a lot of minerals from our food, each person absorbs minerals differently. Subtle differences in digestive system, blood stream and other factors can affect how easily minerals are absorbed and used. Aging also reduces the body's ability to absorb and use minerals. It is also crucial that the minerals be in a form that can readily be used by the body. The best form is water soluble. This makes liquid, ionic mineral supplements an ideal way to maintain good health by getting the correct amount of minerals.
Summary: Discusses the differences between minerals. Minerals are categorized as Bulk Minerals and Trace Minerals. Both are important to our health and contain essential minerals within each group. Explains the different forms these can be absorbed into the body, and also the best suggested amounts depending on which mineral is going to be used.
Minerals are classified in two categories: bulk minerals and trace minerals.
Bulk Minerals are those minerals that make up parts of our body such as bones and teeth. These minerals are need by the body in greater amounts and include calcium.
Trace minerals also have important functions in the body but are needed in much smaller amounts. For a long time, scientists didn't even believe that trace minerals were necessary and that there was no negative impact to a lack of trace minerals. That has been proven to not be true as trace minerals help the body in numerous ways including metabolism, functioning of the nervous system and many others. Minerals are also important for the balance they maintain in our body. Our bodies are approximately 70% water. It's important though that the fluids in our body be correctly balance. They cannot be too acidic nor too alkaline. Minerals help maintain both the balance in how much water our body holds but also maintain the acidity and alkalinity of the fluids. A number of our body's processes are electrical. Electrical charges in the body help our nervous system relay messages from our brain, help transport nutrients through the body and help our muscles function. Minerals are essential because their molecules carry positive and negative electrical charges. Without minerals, the fluids in our body would not conduct those electrical impulses. We need a variety of both bulk and trace minerals to guarantee optimum health. This is because minerals work in concert with one another rather than by themselves. Selenium helps iodine perform its functions. Magnesium helps the body use calcium. Boron helps in the utilization of both magnesium and calcium. It's important to get the correct amount of the whole array of minerals. While we can get a lot of minerals from our food, each person absorbs minerals differently. Subtle differences in digestive system, blood stream and other factors can affect how easily minerals are absorbed and used. Aging also reduces the body's ability to absorb and use minerals. It is also crucial that the minerals be in a form that can readily be used by the body. The best form is water soluble. This makes liquid, ionic mineral supplements an ideal way to maintain good health by getting the correct amount of minerals.
Summary: Discusses the differences between minerals. Minerals are categorized as Bulk Minerals and Trace Minerals. Both are important to our health and contain essential minerals within each group. Explains the different forms these can be absorbed into the body, and also the best suggested amounts depending on which mineral is going to be used.
8. Mineral elements in milk and dairy products
Mineral elements occur in milk and dairy products as inorganic ions and salts, as well as part of organic molecules, such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. The chemical form of mineral elements is important because it determines their absorption in the intestine and their biogical utilization. The mineral composition of milk is not constant because it depends on lactation phase, nutritional status of the animal, and environmental and genetic factors. The objective of this research is to point out the research results of chemical form, content and nutritional importance of individual mineral elements that are present in various milks and dairy products.
Provide Bone Structure - Minerals and mineral supplements benefit the body by providing skeletal structure and support. Your body needs minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, to aid in bone growth and development, according to the University of Florida. Most people do not get the recommended amount of calcium from food, according to the National Institute of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements. Taking calcium mineral supplements, especially when paired with vitamin D, can reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis later in life.
Regulate Cellular Processes - Minerals, such as iron, prove key to red blood cell production and other activities that take place in the body's cells. People who develop iron deficiency anemia, which causes fatigue and weakness, must take mineral supplements that contain ferrous sulfate or other types of iron to boost blood iron levels, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. In addition to iron, the minerals sodium, potassium, chromium and selenium are necessary for good health. You need sodium and potassium so your nervous system functions properly. Chromium is necessary to control blood sugar levels, and selenium prevents oxygen from damaging the body's cells. Some people need mineral supplements to regulate cellular processes.
Prevent Chronic Disease - Taking mineral supplements reduces the risk of certain chronic diseases, according to a 2006 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality report. Participants in the Chinese Linxian trial, published in the September 1993 issue of the "Journal of the National Cancer Institute," took up to two times the recommended daily allowance of beta-carotene, vitamin E and selenium supplements. After five years of mineral supplementation, those consuming mineral supplements had a significantly lower risk of death, and their risk of gastric cancer and cancer in general was 13 to 21 percent less than people who didn't take supplements. Other trials indicate that taking high doses of zinc appears to benefit the chronic eye disease age-related macular degeneration. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality notes that zinc mineral supplements prevented the disease from advancing in patients in the intermediate stage of the disease.
Summary: Discusses chemical form of elements and importance in determining their absorption in the intestine and their biogical utilization. Bone structure and its importance is reviewed. Includes regulations for blood cells, and ways to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Provide Bone Structure - Minerals and mineral supplements benefit the body by providing skeletal structure and support. Your body needs minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, to aid in bone growth and development, according to the University of Florida. Most people do not get the recommended amount of calcium from food, according to the National Institute of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements. Taking calcium mineral supplements, especially when paired with vitamin D, can reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis later in life.
Regulate Cellular Processes - Minerals, such as iron, prove key to red blood cell production and other activities that take place in the body's cells. People who develop iron deficiency anemia, which causes fatigue and weakness, must take mineral supplements that contain ferrous sulfate or other types of iron to boost blood iron levels, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. In addition to iron, the minerals sodium, potassium, chromium and selenium are necessary for good health. You need sodium and potassium so your nervous system functions properly. Chromium is necessary to control blood sugar levels, and selenium prevents oxygen from damaging the body's cells. Some people need mineral supplements to regulate cellular processes.
Prevent Chronic Disease - Taking mineral supplements reduces the risk of certain chronic diseases, according to a 2006 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality report. Participants in the Chinese Linxian trial, published in the September 1993 issue of the "Journal of the National Cancer Institute," took up to two times the recommended daily allowance of beta-carotene, vitamin E and selenium supplements. After five years of mineral supplementation, those consuming mineral supplements had a significantly lower risk of death, and their risk of gastric cancer and cancer in general was 13 to 21 percent less than people who didn't take supplements. Other trials indicate that taking high doses of zinc appears to benefit the chronic eye disease age-related macular degeneration. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality notes that zinc mineral supplements prevented the disease from advancing in patients in the intermediate stage of the disease.
Summary: Discusses chemical form of elements and importance in determining their absorption in the intestine and their biogical utilization. Bone structure and its importance is reviewed. Includes regulations for blood cells, and ways to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
9. What Are the Benefits of Mineral Supplements?
For optimal health and nutrition, you need to consume 16 types of minerals daily, according to the University of Florida. For some minerals, like zinc, and iron, you need only trace amounts for good health; but for others, such as calcium, you need larger quantities. Most people can get the minerals they need from food, but pregnant women or people who don't consume dairy products may need mineral supplements to ensure adequate intake. Before taking any mineral supplements, check with your doctor --- overconsuming minerals causes toxic side effects.
Summary: It is very helpful for those who cannot receive the quantity of minerals needed from their daily food intake. Not everyone can naturally produce some of the essential minerals our bodies need. When this happens supplements are used to receive these dosages. Talking to your doctor is the best way to ensure the correct amount of minerals are needed. Incorrect intakes or incorrect minerals may cause side effects.
Summary: It is very helpful for those who cannot receive the quantity of minerals needed from their daily food intake. Not everyone can naturally produce some of the essential minerals our bodies need. When this happens supplements are used to receive these dosages. Talking to your doctor is the best way to ensure the correct amount of minerals are needed. Incorrect intakes or incorrect minerals may cause side effects.
10. Dangers in Taking Mineral Supplements
Like vitamins, minerals play an important role in overall health. According to the Mayo Clinic, whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables and grains, are optimum sources of minerals. If you have nutrient deficiencies due to poor dietary habits or various medical conditions, you may require mineral supplements. Since excessive intake of minerals in supplement form can pose numerous risks, seek guidance from your doctor before implementing them into your diet.
Zink Risks - Zinc is a mineral the body requires in trace amounts. It supports immune function, wound healing, cell division and normal development during pregnancy. Food sources include fish, meat, poultry and whole grains. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, or ODS, excessive intake of zinc in supplement form, or more than 34 mg daily for most adults, can lead to zinc toxicity. Zinc toxicity may occur suddenly or develop over time. Symptoms may include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite, diarrhea and headache. In rare cases, zinc toxicity stems from ingesting modest amounts of the ionic compound, zinc gluconate. Taking between 150 and 450 mg of zinc daily can cause
chronic symptoms, according to the ODS, including impaired immune function, unhealthy cholesterol levels and urinary problems, which may result in
hospitalization. Zinc supplements may also interfere with medications such as antibiotics, arthritis medications and other drugs and supplements, which may lead to additional dangerous effects.
Iron Risks - The body also requires trace amounts of iron--a mineral required for red blood cell production. Though iron derived from foods, such as meat, poultry, fish, legumes and whole grains, can enhance your wellness, iron supplements can cause adverse effects. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common side effects of iron supplements include muscle pain, aches, chest pain, chills, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, fever and sweating, fainting, nausea, vomiting, numb feet or hands, hives, throat swelling and difficulty breathing. Symptoms of zinc overdose may include bloody stool, diarrhea and severe, bloody vomiting. If left untreated, iron overdose may lead to seizures, bluish-toned skin and shallow, rapid heartbeat. Symptoms of iron overdose may take up to an hour to develop. Since iron overdose can cause life-threatening effects, the Mayo Clinic suggests immediate emergency medical attention as soon as overdose is recognized or suspected.
Calcium Risks - The body requires the mineral calcium for bone strength. While calcium derived from sardines, dairy products, fish, spinach, broccoli and almonds support wellness, excessive intake of calcium in supplement form can cause harmful effects in rare cases. According to the ODS, consuming more than 2,500 mg of calcium in the form of dietary supplements may cause hypercalcemia, or impaired kidney function, and reduce absorption of other vital minerals. Hypercalcemia may also derive from excessive vitamin D supplement intake, since vitamin D enhances calcium absorption in the blood.
Potassium Risks - The body depends upon the mineral potassium for support in proper cell, organ and tissue function. As an electrolyte, potassium helps conduct electricity in the body, which supports healthy heart function, muscle contraction and digestive function. Though foods such as various fish, vegetables, fruit and dairy products provide potassium, excessive intake from potassium supplement can pose serious risks. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, excessive potassium levels, or hyperkalemi, can result in muscular weakness, reduced heart rate, diarrhea and irregular heart rhythms. Since needs for potassium depend upon numerous factors, seek specified guidance from your doctor.
Summary: There are just as many dangers found in supplements and there is support found. Taking the incorrect amount of these minerals, can and will cause many different effects on the body functions. This all depends on which mineral is being taken, and how healthy you are. Always consult your doctor first to prevent any harmful side-effects.
Zink Risks - Zinc is a mineral the body requires in trace amounts. It supports immune function, wound healing, cell division and normal development during pregnancy. Food sources include fish, meat, poultry and whole grains. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, or ODS, excessive intake of zinc in supplement form, or more than 34 mg daily for most adults, can lead to zinc toxicity. Zinc toxicity may occur suddenly or develop over time. Symptoms may include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite, diarrhea and headache. In rare cases, zinc toxicity stems from ingesting modest amounts of the ionic compound, zinc gluconate. Taking between 150 and 450 mg of zinc daily can cause
chronic symptoms, according to the ODS, including impaired immune function, unhealthy cholesterol levels and urinary problems, which may result in
hospitalization. Zinc supplements may also interfere with medications such as antibiotics, arthritis medications and other drugs and supplements, which may lead to additional dangerous effects.
Iron Risks - The body also requires trace amounts of iron--a mineral required for red blood cell production. Though iron derived from foods, such as meat, poultry, fish, legumes and whole grains, can enhance your wellness, iron supplements can cause adverse effects. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common side effects of iron supplements include muscle pain, aches, chest pain, chills, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, fever and sweating, fainting, nausea, vomiting, numb feet or hands, hives, throat swelling and difficulty breathing. Symptoms of zinc overdose may include bloody stool, diarrhea and severe, bloody vomiting. If left untreated, iron overdose may lead to seizures, bluish-toned skin and shallow, rapid heartbeat. Symptoms of iron overdose may take up to an hour to develop. Since iron overdose can cause life-threatening effects, the Mayo Clinic suggests immediate emergency medical attention as soon as overdose is recognized or suspected.
Calcium Risks - The body requires the mineral calcium for bone strength. While calcium derived from sardines, dairy products, fish, spinach, broccoli and almonds support wellness, excessive intake of calcium in supplement form can cause harmful effects in rare cases. According to the ODS, consuming more than 2,500 mg of calcium in the form of dietary supplements may cause hypercalcemia, or impaired kidney function, and reduce absorption of other vital minerals. Hypercalcemia may also derive from excessive vitamin D supplement intake, since vitamin D enhances calcium absorption in the blood.
Potassium Risks - The body depends upon the mineral potassium for support in proper cell, organ and tissue function. As an electrolyte, potassium helps conduct electricity in the body, which supports healthy heart function, muscle contraction and digestive function. Though foods such as various fish, vegetables, fruit and dairy products provide potassium, excessive intake from potassium supplement can pose serious risks. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, excessive potassium levels, or hyperkalemi, can result in muscular weakness, reduced heart rate, diarrhea and irregular heart rhythms. Since needs for potassium depend upon numerous factors, seek specified guidance from your doctor.
Summary: There are just as many dangers found in supplements and there is support found. Taking the incorrect amount of these minerals, can and will cause many different effects on the body functions. This all depends on which mineral is being taken, and how healthy you are. Always consult your doctor first to prevent any harmful side-effects.