Healthy Minerals

Some sources give the number of minerals for a healthy body as fewer than 20, others as high as 73 including trace minerals. It is said that farmers only put three minerals (fertiliser containing elements N – nitrogen, P - phosphorus, K – potassium) back into the ground because plants need them.

The other minerals are slowly being leached out of the soil by plants which are then harvested. There is some dispute as to whether ‘trace minerals’ are healthy minerals. Macrominerals are needed in large amounts, microminerals in small (trace) amounts. Calcium (macro): used to make strong teeth and bones; blood clotting; and for muscle and nerve function. Found in dairy products. Excess could be unhealthy for kidneys.

This 1933 Chinese health education poster shows "What is contained in the human body?" "Magnesium enough for two photographic flashes" "Ammonia enough to splash a house" "Sulphur enough to make a box of sulphur tablets" "A large bucket of water" "Phosphorus enough to make 13 boxes of matches" "Lime enough to paint a wall" "Iron enough to make a nail" "Salt enough to cook a meal" "Fat enough to make 7 bars of soap" "Sugar enough for a tea-time":

Chloride (macro): A healthy mineral that regulates body fluid volume, concentration and acid-base balance.

Chromium (micro): A healthy mineral important in regulating blood glucose. Works with insulin. In some forms it is highly toxic.

Cobalt (micro): A central component of vitamin B12. A healthy mineral in trace quantities, but carcinogenic in large quantities.

Copper (micro): A healthy mineral that is important for nerve function, bone maintenance, growth, blood formation and utilization of glucose.

Fluoride (micro): A healthy mineral that is important to dental and bone health. May be poisonous if taken in excess.

Iodine (micro): A healthy mineral essential for avoidance of goitre and the production of thyroid hormones. Excess may be unhealthy for autoimmune thyroid disease sufferers. Pictured: iodide.

Iron (micro): A healthy mineral that is an essential constituent of red blood cells and muscle. Prevents anaemia. Excess may cause stomach upsets.

Magnesium (macro): A healthy mineral found mainly inside muscles, soft tissues and bone. Used in many enzyme processes.  Unhealthy if taken in excess as it causes diarrhoea, nausea, etc.

Manganese (micro): A healthy mineral that is important for growth, reproduction, formation of bone, and carbohydrate metabolism.

Molybdenum (micro): A healthy mineral found in tooth enamel and involved in many enzyme processes, nerve function and protein metabolism.  Deficiency causes stunted growth. Daily intake above .4 mg can be toxic.

Phosphorus (macro): A healthy mineral essential to bone formation and maintenance, energy metabolism, nerve function and acid balance.

Potassium (macro): A healthy mineral that is essential for nerve function, muscle contraction and maintenance of normal blood pressure.

Selenium (micro): A healthy mineral associated with antioxidant properties and fat metabolism. It has been claimed to help prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Sodium (macro): A healthy mineral that regulates body fluid volume, concentration and acid-base.

Sulphur (macro): A healthy mineral. An essential component of all cells.

Zinc (micro): A healthy mineral involved in wound healing, taste sensation, growth and sexual maturation and part of many enzymes regulating metabolism. May be unhealthy in large doses.

Some people believe that mineral supplements are easiest absorbed by the body in chelated (liquid) form rather than as tablets. Probably the best known is Maximol, and may be purchased here at below wholesale.