EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT MINERALS.
This information in this section is provided from The Significance of Mineral Balance on Your Health By Dr. Chris Meletis (Naturopathic Physician, Clinic Director/Chief Medical Officer; Medicinary Director, National College of Naturopathic Medicine).

Read below to browse through frequently asked questions about minerals. For more facts about many other minerals, you can also review Other Mineral Facts.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• In a study conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, dietary calcium consumption was found to be 18% less in individuals with high blood pressure. Ann Int Med 98:800-05, 1983.
• Proper calcium levels in the body may prevent the accumulation of aluminum in the body. Thus, calcium supplementation may prevent aluminum from contributing to Alzheimer's disease. Bull Environ Cont Tox 31:164-69, 1983.
• Studies have suggested that post menopausal women who consume 1500 mg of calcium per day can prevent bone loss. It should be noted that supplementation is usually necessary to achieve this required daily intake. Ann Int Med 87:649, 1977.

• Chromium is a vital part of glucose tolerance factor (GTF).
• It facilitates insulin receptivity at the cellular level.
• Consumption of large amounts of refined carbohydrates lead to chromium deficiency. This is typical of the Standard American Diet.
• At least two-thirds of women in the United States are deficient in chromium. Fed Proc 42(4):816.1983.
• Those with low chromium levels often crave sugar. Thus, correction of low levels of chromium can lessen cravings of sugar.

• A copper deficiency can predispose an individual to a lung disease similar to emphysema.
• A lack of the proper amount of copper intake has been associated with the development of anemia, heart muscle degeneration, and elevated cholesterol levels. Am I Clin Nutr 38:214-22, 1983.
• An interesting note is that a typical American diet is comprised of at least 22 percent sugar. A majority of dietary sugar is in the form of high fructose corn syrups, which increases the body's need for copper.

• In a study of 69 university students, those with higher serum ferritin levels (iron storage) had greater left brain activity. The left hemisphere of the brain being related to analytical thought processes. Am J Clin Nutr 39:105-113, 1984.
• Those individuals with higher serum ferritin levels also showed greater verbal fluency. Nutr Behav 1:137-146, 1983.
• It should be noted that excess iron levels can be harmful and potentially lethal. The above studies suggest, in my opinion that optimal nutritional levels should be one's target.

• In a study done in Finland, those individuals with low amounts of selenium (35 mcg/1 or less) in their serum (blood), had over a 6 fold risk of dying from heart disease. Lancet 2:175-79, 1982

• Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body.
• 99% of bone is made of calcium.
• It is important for proper functioning of the nervous system, muscle contractions, blood clotting functioning.

• Chloride makes up only 0.15 percent of a person's total body weight.
• It is a component of stomach hydrochloric acid.
• Chloride also helps regulate the body's acid base pH.

• There is a total of about 6 mg of chromium in an average person.
• It plays a significant role in the carbohydrate metabolism.
• Chromium enhances insulin sensitivity and sugar metabolism.
• Cholesterol can be lowered with the help of chromium.
• Chromium concentrations drop in the human body as we age.

• This mineral is a vital constituent of vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
• Cobalt is essential for the proper production of red blood cells.

• There is a total of about 100 mg of copper in a human.
• It is found in highest concentration in the brain and liver.
• Copper competes with zinc for absorption during digestion.
• Copper helps many of the body's enzyme systems.
• It plays an important role in red blood cell production.
• It is also important for bone and connective tissue health.

• Proper fluoride levels are critical for strong teeth and bones.
• 1ppm in drinking water can lessen tooth decay by 58%.

• 50 percent of iodine is found in muscle tissue and 20 percent in thyroid tissue.
• Iodine serves a primary function in the body as a component of thyroid hormone. A hormone which is essential for proper metabolism.
• The concentration of iodine in the thyroid gland is 1,000 times that found in muscle and 10,000 times that found in the blood. This Phenomenon nicely illustrates the creative wisdom instilled in the human body.

• A healthy male's body often contains 1,000 mg of iron.
• A premenopausal woman often contains 200-400 mg of iron.
• A deficiency of iron will lead to anemia.
• An individual deficient in iron will develop a condition called pica. This condition is typified by the consumption if inedible objects, dirt, clay, paint, and ice.

• Muscle contains 27% of the body's magnesium.
• It plays a role in energy production in the body.
• It protects your teeth by binding calcium to tooth enamel.
• Higher magnesium levels can help protect against heart attacks.
• It acts as an antispasmodic in the body.

• It is essential for healthy ligaments and connective tissue.
• Without proper manganese levels protein digestion is compromised.
• Manganese is required for protein synthesis in the body, a process which is crucial for repair and maintenance of body structures.

• Phosphorus is the second most common mineral in the body.
• It is a structural component of all cells.
• It is a part of the nucleic acids comprising the genetic code of cells.
• Many B vitamins are activated only in the presence of phosphorus.
• Phospholipids such as lecithin contain phosphorus.

• Ninety-eight percent of the body's total potassium is within cells.
• Deficiency leads to bone fragility, sterility, heart disease and death.

• Selenium possesses properties similar to vitamin E.
• It is essential for glutathione metabolism.
• It can bind and lessen toxicity of heavy metals.
• Selenium provides protection against cardiac damage.
• Low soil selenium levels have been shown to increase cancer.

• Sodium is required for proper muscle contractions.
• It is also essential for nerve transmission.
• Sodium also plays a critical role in the absorption of amino acids which are the building blocks for proteins. - Perspiration contains 1 gram of sodium per liter.

• Zinc plays a role in at least 20 enzyme pathways in the body.
• It is important for insulin activity, wound healing, and immunity.
• People with zinc deficiency can lose their sense of taste.
• Zinc is essential for proper vitamin A utilization.