MODULE 5 - MINERALS
What You’ll Learn:
- Why minerals are essential for proper function and structure within the body
- Good sources of minerals.
- Why mineral balance is as important as quantity of mineral intake.
There are many macro minerals that are important for optimal health. Remember, the only way to get minerals is through our food and dietary intake.
Here are the essential macro minerals needed for optimal and sustained health.
Here are a few of the micronutrients and trace minerals that are needed in the body.
- Minerals can be considered as "regulators" within the body.
Take for example calcium. Calcium is needed to properly regulate your body's PH levels. calcium leeches from the bones to maintain proper pH levels. When the body is in an acidic state it will take some calcium from the bones and when it's in an alkaline state calcium will be reabsorbed into the bones by the body. This is just one of the ways minerals are used as regulators.
- Cellular Messengers
Minerals are responsible for the transportation and transfer of nutrients across cellular membranes. this again, ensures balance of minerals such as sodium and potassium inside and outside of our cells.
Healthy fats are also essential for cells to function properly as we discussed in module 4 as well as insulin functionality which we covered in module 3.
Enzymes and Hormone Co-Factors
There are over 100,000 known enzymes in the body and 50 hormones. It's quite possible there are even more that have yet to be discovered. Cofactors are non-protein chemicals that are attached to a protein and required for that protein to do its job.
Some Examples of this teamwork:
- Chromium is required for insulin.
- Iodine is required for proper thyroid functioning.
- Cobalt is needed to synthesize B12 inside the gut.
- Selenium plays a crucial role in raising glutathione. Glutathione is a master regulator and antioxidant. It is essential for the immune system and the body's ability to detoxify waste.
Is there a Mineral Solution? Does the body produce its own minerals?
One of the biggest reasons for a balanced diet is the fact that the body does not make its own minerals. Minerals must be taken from our food and properly absorbed. This is why a balanced diet consisting of the three building blocks; carbohydrates, fats and proteins are essential.
For clarification, the word “essential” means the body cannot create its own supply so it must be taken from the diet. the word non-essential means the body does have the ability to create its own supply and does not need to be taken from food.
Remember to eat the rainbow. This is critical for the absorption of all essential minerals and nutrients. Additionally, a healthy gut is critical for the absorption and transfer of nutrients to the cells. This was discussed in module 2, the digestion module. A healthy gut and nutrient absorption go hand in hand.
- High Mineral Content Foods - Macro and Micro Minerals.
- Leafy Green Vegetables - Excellent source of micro and macro minerals. Choose organic, locally grown vegetables. Prepare them with healthy fats to properly absorb the minerals they contain.
- Sea Salt and Seafood - Sea vegetables and sea salt, especially Celtic Sea salt, are an excellent source of macro and micro minerals. Salt is NOT bad in general, we simply need to be more discerning in the type of salt being used as well as where it’s sourced. To be clear, processed food is the culprit when medical doctors speak of reducing sodium, the average American is getting too much sodium, but it’s not from the salt shaker. Salt, if used properly can add very different and beautiful flavor to your food. The mineral content in salt mined from many parts of the world provides the body with trace minerals that we otherwise would not get.
TIP: Don’t use regular processed table salt. A better option is Pink Himalayan Salt, Celtic Sea Salt, Grey Salt and Black Lava Salt. Alternate between these different salts and you’ll get a boost of micro minerals from all over the world.
- Mineral Rich bone broth and spring water. Clean spring water from a properly cared for source is mineral rich and a great tool to keep hydrated. Bone broth is an excellent and easy source for minerals. Be sure to choose organic and properly raised meat bones for your bone broth.
Speaking of water our next module is on hydration Where you’ll learn the important role of water in the body.
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