|
Calcium Research
Calcium is well known as a component of bone and is recommended
as the supplement of choice for those with bone and joint
ailments. The truth is that while calcium gives our bones
rigidity, it is only 20% of total bone mass and provides
no flexibility to bone. Bone is the storehouse for calcium.
Equally important metabolic roles for calcium are blood
clotting, nerve transmission, and energy production. The
body recognizes the essential need for calcium and will
hold on to whatever it can absorb. When taken in excess
and without the other elements necessary to properly store
calcium in bones, where 99% of it is supposed to be, our
body will store it wherever it can. This can lead to many
problems including: arteriosclerosis, stones, fibromyalgia,
osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis. (See also: Silica.)
Chromium Research
Chromium is an essential element necessary for sugar metabolism
via the production of insulin. We also believe it plays
a role in the breakdown of protein and fats for energy.
Chromium is virtually always lost in the process of refining
foods like whole grains and natural sugars. Therefore, eating
refined foods does not give one the essential minerals to
properly process these foods. The body rapidly converts
refined sugar and grain (white flour) to glucose. Any unused
glucose will be converted to fat. This is the main cause
of the obesity epidemic in this country. In any refining
process we essentially removed most of the elements from
our foods that nature intended we have in order to properly
metabolize them. Chromium is one such mineral lost in the
refining process.
Copper Research
Copper has many diverse roles in the body. It works closely
with iron in the synthesis of blood, is involved in the
production of energy and most reactions that consume oxygen
or oxygen radicals. Copper, along with Zinc and Selenium,
is a free radical scavenger. Copper helps in the manufacturing
of collagen and is also a wound healer. Maintaining proper
copper levels is essential for good health.
Iodine
Research
Iodine is a catalyst for the enzymes which manufacture T4
& T3 - a thyroid hormone. It is stored primarily in
the thyroid. Thyroid hormones regulate body temperature,
metabolic rate, cellular reproduction, growth, blood cell
production, nerve and muscle function, and much more. A
lack of Iodine can create goiter or enlargement of the thyroid
gland. A malfunction of the thyroid (insufficient production
of the thyroid hormone as measured by a blood test) is many
times the result of toxic overload or heavy metal toxicity
– especially Mercury.
Magnesium
Research
Magnesium is a fascinating element which plays a role
in many different body functions. Magnesium is found throughout
the body. It is believed to be essential for calcium deposition
into bone. It is required for energy production and muscle
relaxation. It has been shown to be very effective in stopping
nervous twitches, muscle cramping while at rest, and nervous
leg syndrome. More important, it is absolutely essential
for proper heart function. Without magnesium, the heart
cannot relax. Sudden heart attacks are many times the result
of a lack of Magnesium. Alcohol consumption impedes the
availability of Magnesium to the cells.
Manganese
Research
Manganese is an element which should be maintained in very
close tolerances in the body. It is involved in the metabolism
of fats, sugars, and protein. It is important in bone formation
and energy production. A study of a criminal population
done at U.C. Irvine demonstrated that violent criminals
have five times as much Manganese in their systems as do
law-abiding citizens, implying that excessive Manganese
may cause or promote abnormally violent behavior. Also,
in study on rats at Oxford University in England, researchers
where able to duplicate behavioral patterns similar to mad
cow disease by administrating excessive amounts of Manganese.
Potassium
Research
Found primarily within the interior
of our cells, Potassium is an essential electrolyte. A major
role is in the maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance
and cell integrity (size and shape). It is essential for
nerve transmission and muscle contraction. It is the counterbalance
of Magnesium. Potassium has little if any toxicity. It is
very important to maintain adequate tissue levels. We should
be consuming 5 times more Potassium than Sodium. Our present
dietary patterns have reversed this ratio due primarily
to increased sodium content in prepared foods.
Selenium
Research
Until recently this element was thought to be non-essential
and toxic at quite low levels. Recent research is now showing
some extraordinarily important roles for Selenium in human
metabolism. Selenium has now been identified as a very important
anti-oxidant. It appears to be a major catalyst to the activation
of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase which is a major preventer
of free radicals. It is also important for proper thyroid
function. As an anti-oxidant, having an adequate tissue
level of Selenium may be protective for heart disease and
cancer as oxidative imbalance has been implicated in both
diseases. Recently, an important study showed the capability
of Selenium to inhibit the ability of a viruse to mutate
once imbedded in its host. Selenium is also an important
heavy metal chelator.
Silica
Research
Silica is the combination
of the 2 most common elements on the planet – Oxygen
and Silicon. Some scientists hypothesize that we could just
as easily have been a Silicon based organism as a Carbon
based organism. Two functions have been identified for Silicon.
It is the primary Calcium management element and is responsible
for making sure calcium is not stored in any locations other
than bone. Without Silica, the body will store calcium (of
which most of us get too much of ) in areas like, artery
walls, joints, organs and soft tissue. The second Silicon
role is in collagen formation. The physical manifestation
of aging is the inability of the body to reproduce collagen
the way we could in our 20’s and 30’s. This leads
to wrinkles, loss of flexibility, porosity of bones, digestive
problems, arthritis and many other issues associated with
aging. We feel Silica is the most natural and effective
supplement on the market today to reverse or eliminate,
arthritis, GI tract disorders, and osteoporosis. Silica
is also known to enhance appearance of hair, skin and nails.
Sulfur
Research
Often in course work on Clinical Nutrition, Sulfur
is mentioned only in passing as a qualifying macro mineral.
It is in fact the 4th most prevalent element in our body
after Calcium. The comment in the books suggest that the
body does not use Sulfur as a nutrient but that it only
occurs in essential B vitamins and some amino acids. In
fact, Sulfur acts like all the other minerals- as a catalyst
for enzyme activation. Sulfur is found in every cell in
the body. It is a potent anti-inflammatory, an anti-oxidant,
and is essential for collagen formation and protein synthesis.
Sulfur is an underrated yet essential element. This fact
was much more understood and appreciated in times past.
“Taking the waters” was common rhetoric for using
Sulfur baths for health issues.
Zinc
Research
Zinc’s most important role is in maintaining the immune
system. Zinc is important for the production, storage, and
release of insulin. It is active in blood clotting, thyroid
function, and influences behavior and learning. It is essential
for vision, sense of taste and smell, wound healing, sperm
production and a healthy prostate. Other roles are proper
early development and health of the reproductive organs.
The body will usually react very quickly to Zinc supplementation.
|
