Information on Minerals

Calcium
Sources :
Milk, yogurt, cheese, legumes, seeds, bones and bone soups, calcium-fortified foods such as tofu, orange juice and soymilk.

Importance :
Formation and maintenance of bones and teeth. Assists in normal blood clotting,muscle action, nerve and heart function.

Nutrient Destroyers :
Absorption inbited by stress, lack of exercise, magnesium deficiency, lack of hydrochloric acid, diuretics.

Deficiency Symptoms :
Softening of bones, brittle bones, back and leg pain, insomnia, irritability, depression.

Chromium
Sources :
Whole grains, brewer's yeast, cheese, meats, dark green leafy vegetables.

Importance :
Carbohydrate metabolism and glucose tolerance. Increases effectiveness of insulin. Stimulates enzymes in metabolism of energy.

Nutrient Destroyers :
Level decreases as age increases.

Deficiency Symptoms :
Depressed growth rate, glucose intolerance in diabetics, atherosclerosis.

Copper
Sources :
Organ meats, whole grains, nuts, legumes, egg yolk, seafood, mushrooms, blackstrap molasses.

Importance :
Formation of connective tissue and hemoglobin. Aids absorption & transportation of iron. Works with vitamin C to form elastin. Part of many enzymes.

Nutrient Destroyers :
Absorption inhibited by excessive zinc.

Deficiency Symptoms :
General weakness, impaired respiration and skin sores.

Iron
Sources :
Blackstrap molasses, raisins, apricots, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, parsley, liver, eggs, red meat.

Importance :
Hemoglobin formation. Protein metabolism. Promotes growth, resistance to disease, improves energy level and condition of teeth, skin, nails and bones.

Nutrient Destroyers :
Absorption inhibited by caffeine, excessive phosphorus or zinc.

Deficiency Symptoms :
Fatigue, anemia, paleness, brittle nails, constipation,difficulty in breathing.

Iodine
Sources :
Seafood, seaweed, iodized salt.

Importance :
Involved in energy generation and basal metabolism. An important component of the hormone, thyroxine. Necessary for the prevention of goiter. Contributes to healthy hair, skin, nails and teeth.

Nutrient Destroyers :
Absorption inhibited by food processing.

Deficiency Symptoms :
Thyroid disorders, obesity, goiter, irritability, nervousness, dry hair, cold hands and feet.

Magnesium
Sources :
Nuts, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, whole grains,seafood.

Importance :
Catalyst in utilization of carbohydrates, fats, proteins,calcium,phosphorus and potassium. Essential for energy generation, muscle contraction, bones and teeth formation.

Nutrient Destroyers :
Absorption inhibited by diuretics and alcohol.

Deficiency Symptoms :
Nervousness, tremors, mental confusion, irritability and depression.

Manganese
Sources :
Wholes grains, nuts, vegetables,fruits.

Importance :
Involved in normal skeletal development. Maintains sex hormone production. Needed for synthesis of mucopolysaccharide for formation of cartilage.

Nutrient Destroyers :
Absorption inhibited by excessive phosphorus and calcium.

Deficiency Symptoms :
Convulsions, dizziness and loss of hearing.

Potassium
Sources :
Vegetables,tubers,fruits (especially bananas).

Importance :
Maintains cellular pH and fluid balance. Important for muscle functions. Regulates heartbeat, nerve and kidney functions.

Nutrient Destroyers :
Absorption inhibited by sugar, caffeine, diuretics, laxatives, stress, alcohol and cortisone.

Deficiency Symptoms :
Poor reflexes, nervous disorders, irregular pulse, constipation, general weakness and insomnia.

Phosphorus
Sources :
Organ meats, meats,fish, milk, cheese, whole grains, legumes (peas), seeds, nuts.

Importance :
Works with calcium to build bones and teeth. Utilizes carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Involved in energy generation and muscle contraction.

Nutrient Destroyers :
Absorption inhibited by sugar,excessive intake of magnesium, aluminum and iron.

Deficiency Symptoms :
Loss of weight and appetite. Irregular breathing, fatigue and nervous disorders.

Germanium
Sources :
All organic material, of both plants and animals origin. Broccoli, celery,garlic,shiitake mushroom, milk, onions, rhubarb, aloe vera and ginseng.

Importance :
Improves cellular oxygenation. Helps to fight pain, keep the immune system functioning properly, and rids the body of toxins and poisons.

Deficiency Symptoms :
Mood disorder, depression.

Selenium
Sources :
Garlic, onions, oyster,fish, organ meats, brazil nuts.

Importance :
An antioxidant. Works with vitamin E. Preserves tissue elasticity. Helps defend the body from free radicals and oxidative damage.

Nutrient Destroyers :
Absorption inhibited by food processing.

Deficiency Symptoms :
Premature aging, stamina loss, impaired male sexual function.

Silica
Sources :
Whole grains, horsetail herb,alfalfa,bell peppers, soybeans, dark green leafy vegetables.

Importance :
Essential for integrity of connective tissues such as tendons, cartilage and blood vessels. Strengthens bones, teeth, hair and nails.

Nutrient Destroyers :
Lost in the refinement process of food.

Deficiency Symptoms :
Brittle bones, teeth, hair and nails.

Vanadium
Sources :
Vegetables, whole grains, fish.

Importance :
Inhibits cholesterol formation. Important for bone, cartilage and tooth development.

Nutrient Destroyers :
Tobacco decreases uptake of Vanadium.Take vanadium and chromium at different times.

Deficiency Symptoms :
Brittle bones, teeth, hair and nails.

Zinc
Sources :
Oysters, clams, organ meats, vegetables, whole grains, pumpkin seeds.

Importance :
Component of insulin and male reproductive fluid. Aids digestion and metabolism of phosphorus. Aids healing process. Required for DNA synthesis. Involved in muscle contraction. Needed for metabolism of carbohydrates, alcohol and fatty acids.

Nutrient Destroyers :
Absorption inhibited by alcohol, excessive calcium and excessive sweating.

Deficiency Symptoms :
Retarded growth, delayed sexual maturity, poor wound healing, irregular menses, loss of taste and appetite, diabetes and white spots on fin­gernails.