The body needs minerals; these are called essential minerals. They keep the body healthy and functioning properly. Essential minerals are sometimes divided up into major minerals (macrominerals) and trace minerals (microminerals).
Macrominerals are those that are required in greater amounts in the body; these include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chlorine and sulfur. While the trace elements are those that are needed in smaller quantities; these include iron, zinc, iodine, selenium, manganese, fluoride, molybdenum, copper, chromium, cobalt and boron.
“Trace elements (minerals) are more important than vitamins, in that they cannot be synthesized by living matter. Thus they are the spark-plugs in the chemistry of life, on which the exchange of energy in the combustion of food and the building of living tissues depends.” ~ Dr. Henry Schroeder, M.D.
I have become aware through functional lab testing in my practice that it’s common for people to have mineral imbalances, even if they eat a balanced diet!
Here are the reasons why:
Soil depletion, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the chemicals in our food production are stripping away mineral content that was once available in the soil. NPK fertilizers further this deficiency of precious essential minerals like magnesium.
Digestive imbalances, like leaky gut, can cause malabsorption of minerals. Today, it is common for people to have an impaired ability to absorb their nutrients. This can happen due to: ~Parasite, bacterial dysbiosis, or fungal overgrowth ~Overuse of antibiotics~ Glyphosate and other pesticides ~Food allergies or sensitivities
As we age, our mineral absorption tends to decrease
Increasing exposure to toxic heavy metals is a perfect storm for our current mineral depletion. If one doesn’t consume balanced minerals in the diet, the body will then easily absorb toxic metals from the environment as a substitute.
Minerals are the spark plugs of life in the body! I have seen amazing results for myself and my clients when we focus on mineral balancing and the clearing of toxic heavy metals.
Let’s talk briefly about some minerals I commonly see out of balance in my practice and what effects they have on the body:
~ Magnesium: This intracellular mineral is required by every cell to function properly. Magnesium supports hundreds of enzymatic activities throughout the body. Some of its key roles are supporting detoxification, heart health, stress reduction, preventing excess calcium build up in the mitochondria, and balancing mood and mental health.
~ Calcium: Support bone integrity, teeth, heart, nervous system, and maintain pH balance in the body. This mineral has been touted as a remedy for optimal bone health, but is not the full picture. In fact, it’s more about the balance of calcium and magnesium that brings optimal bone and body health.
~ Potassium: A primary electrolyte inside of the cell. It is essential for muscle contraction, regulates blood pressure, and is an anti-stress mineral. It’s the balance between potassium and sodium that is important.
~ Copper: This essential mineral is needed for energy production. It supports the immune system, cardiovascular system, and skin health. Imbalances come down to the over exposure to copper and the increased retention due to environmental factors, mineral imbalances, impaired liver, gut, and adrenal functioning.
~ Zinc: This nutrient is found in cells throughout the body and is important for immune health, protein synthesis, bone integrity, insulin production, digestion (HCL activation), and some hormone production.
~Selenium: This mineral is incredibly important for metabolism and thyroid functioning.
“Mineral deficiencies are responsible for a host of health problems, which are incorrectly treated by drugs.” ~ Dr. Robert Thompsom, M.D.
Mineral imbalances can have an affect on:
Mental & emotional well being
Your energy level and clarity of mind
Bone health
Ability to handle stress
Hormone health ~ especially pertaining to the thyroid and adrenals
Heart health
Digestive Health
It is time to recognize the relationship between environment, diet, and minerals. Then, we can start to acknowledge the bio individuality in each person’s nutritional needs by offering proper assessment within this new paradigm of health.
Please be aware that blood serum is not a reliable indicator for mineral deficiencies or toxic heavy metals. Blood is a homeostatic transport system and will do whatever is needed to create balance. Instead we need to look at mineral imbalance on a tissue and cellular level of nutrients to understand our unique biochemistry.
I consider Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis to be the gold standard for essential mineral and heavy metal testing.
“Blood analysis for minerals is a good indicator of the transport of minerals to and from the storage areas of the body (extracellular). Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis is a good indicator of the metabolic process occurring within the cell (intracellular)”. ~ Trace Elements Inc
Test and Don’t Guess!
Testing allows you to intelligently approach your health and unique mineral imbalances in a targeted intentional way.
I hope this has been an insightful blog!
If you’ve been eating healthy, exercising and “doing all of the right things” with little to no health improvements, then maybe mineral imbalances or toxic heavy metals could be the culprit. Your hormone imbalances, leaky gut and overwhelmed immune system could benefit from a solution.
If you want to get your hands on the right lab tests, resources and guidance to assess your bio individuality and personal path forward, then I would be honored to support you!
Schedule a Complimentary Strategy Session with me today!
