Modern farming methods are probably the biggest contributor to mineral deficiency in both people and animals
Only a tiny portion (4 – 5 %) of the human body is made up of minerals, but these components are absolutely vital.
We can manufacture vitamins if we have enough minerals, but we cannot manufacture the minerals that make our teeth and bones strong, and give shape and function to our cells.
Minerals also act as catalysts for hormone production, biological functions, digestion, and muscle response.
Mineral deficiency is a big deal.
All of our mineral nutrition ultimately comes from the world’s oceans. If you can find sources of food that have been fed with diluted seawater (or even seaweed), go for it; this is the best way to avoid mineral deficiency. Otherwise, look to quality nutritional supplements.
Calcium Deficiency
Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the body, is necessary for bone and cartilage formation, proper blood clotting, nerve and muscle function, heartbeat regulation, and hormone manufacture. Calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium must be in harmony at all times. Use calcium lactate for muscles, calcium gluconate for nerves and blood, and bone meal for bones.
Studies have shown that calcium supplements can contain significant amounts of lead.
Be careful of your sources.
Indications: Asthma, overweight, brooding, lack of will power, lack of courage, listless, nervous conditions, toe and leg cramps, pus formation, soft bones and bone deformities, sores that won’t heal, sour odor, sleeplessness, excess salivation, petty complaining, sighing, difficulty thinking, headache in the afternoons, scarring, cyst formation, heart palpitations (especially at night).
Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium may be best known as being necessary for calcium absorption. This is true. But there is so much more…
Your body needs magnesium to utilize carbohydrates properly and to synthesize protein from the amino acids in your food. It is also necessary for muscle maintenance and hormone regulation.
Magnesium is a big component in the natural detoxification system, which is why wheat grass and other green drinks are heavily promoted for internal body cleansing (chlorophyll, the “green” in greens, has a magnesium atom right in the center of its molecule).
It helps balance your pH (if over-acid) and “smoothes the rough edges” on nerves – so it also tends to help with insomnia. At least one study relates wool allergy to this mineral deficiency.
Magnesium gluconate is helpful for nerves and nervous conditions: fear, nerve and muscle twitching, bedwetting, grief, anxiety, restlessness.
Use magnesium phosphate for cramp-like contractions on your muscles (charlie horse).
Magnesium oxide is beneficial when aching muscles “twist” and get stiff.
Indications: Aching neck and shoulder muscles, bed wetting, burning sensation in mouth, chilled after going to bed, fear, grief, heart palpitations, intestinal gas and/or inflammation, migraine headache, muscle jerks (spasms), noise sensitivity, restless eye or finger movements, tooth sensitivity to cold water, tremors, twitching, unexplained toothache, wool allergy, yellowish sclera (whites of eyes).
Selenium Deficiency
Selenium is a mineral needed in trace amounts, and helps the immune system to fight infection, detoxify many common pollutants, acts as an antioxidant, and helps to preserve tissue elasticity.
It is beneficial for the skin, vision, promotes deep sleep, and has been shown to help with some cancers. Selenium and Vitamin E work together in the production of antibodies and to help maintain a healthy heart and liver. Used with Vitamin E and zinc, it may help provide relief from an enlarged prostate.
Selenium is now being promoted as a partial preventative for the Avian (Bird) Flu.
Indications: Premature aging, infertility, lowered intelligence, heart disease, tumors.
Sulfur Deficiency
Sulfur is essential in healing and ridding the body of poisonous substances. It is necessary for healthy bones, hair, nails, and the synovial fluid in our joints and vertebrae. MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) is the most common way of supplementing sulfur in your diet to avoid this mineral deficiency.
Indications: Blood disorders, leukemia, hemorrhoids, disc problems, difficulty in speaking or singing, thin or splitting fingernails, dull hair, joint difficulties, sores that won’t heal, pus formation with delayed healing, menstrual irregularities, moodiness, toxic conditions, septicemia, skin on throat is lighter than other parts of neck, joyless appearance, takes a long time to regain strength after illness or overwork.
Zinc Deficiency
Zinc is necessary for a healthy immune system. Many alternative health care practitioners say that most ear tubes in young children could be avoided with sufficient zinc in their diets.
There are at least sixty enzyme functions that require this mineral as part of their structure. Zinc is needed for healthy thyroid and thymus function and insulin production in the pancreas.
Your sense of taste and smell depends on zinc, as does the elimination of carbon dioxide in cellular respiration. Also necessary for wound healing, trauma from surgery, and during pregnancy.
Many cases of anorexia nervosa have been linked to zinc mineral deficiency.
Be aware that you can also get too much zinc. Ask your health care provider and/or follow the guidelines on the supplement label. Some people report that their zinc lozenge begins to taste metallic after they have had a number of them in one day. That is probably the body saying “Enough!”
Indications: apoplexy (loss of consciousness with stroke), blisters on face and scalp, brain issues, cataracts, delirium, earache, epilepsy, eye problems, gout, mania, multiple sclerosis, neuralgia, prostate problems, skin issues, tumors.
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