Vitamins for Wellness - Essential Trace minerals

Essential Trace Minerals

Boron is needed for healthy bones ,and for the metabolism of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium and for the activation of vitamin D.

Boron food sources include: soy milk, prunes, peanut butter, hazel nuts, apples, pears, leafy green vegetables, raisins and almonds.

Boron deficiencies seldom occur, however as people age their calcium absorption may be impaired and they may need to supplement with minute doses of boron.

Boron deficiency symptoms may manifest as depressed growth, elevated phosphatase.

Chromium is essential for the metabolism of glucose, and it important in the synthesis of cholesterol, fats, and proteins.

Chromium food sources include: brewers yeast, whole wheat,peanuts, pork, grape juice,molasses, shrimp, lobster asparagus, mushrooms and nuts.

Chromium deficiencies may manifest as impaired insulin function, anxiety, fatigue, atherosclerosis, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, elevated serum triglycerides, neuropathy, weight loss andinfertility.

Copper aids in the formation of bone, red blood cells, it is involved in respiration, melanin and myelin synthesis, elastin and collagen synthesis, wound healing, and regulation of iron metabolism.

Copper food sources include: liver, wholegrains, almonds, green leafy vegetables, seafood, lamb, pork, beans, prunes, and mushrooms.

Copper deficiencies may manifest as :depression, anaemia, bone disease, weakness, premature greying of the hair, still births, seizures, motor incoordination, cardiovascular lesions, increased blood cholesterol, and demyelination of central nervous system neurons.

Fluorine is present in water, plants, soil ,all animal tissue, toothpastes, and many prescription drugs, it's difficult to escape from fluorine, it tends to be more concentrated in foods that are processed.

Fluorine food sources include: fish, seafood, tea,milk, cheese and meat.

Fluorine deficiencies have not been recorded.

Iodine is involved in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, cell division, physical and mental development, regulates the body's production of energy, stimulates metabolism and so helps burn excess fat, protein synthesis, and myelination.

Iodine food sources include: Seafood, fish, iodised salt, seaweed, lima beans, mushrooms, irish moss, soy beans, and turnip greens.

Iodine deficiencies manifest as: fatigue, increased weight, hypothyroidism, goitre, heart disease, birth defects, cretinism, cognitive impairment, retention of salt and water, poor co-ordination, and increased blood cholesterol.

Iron, the most important function of iron is the production of hemaglobin and myoglobin. has a key role in respiration, immune resistance, synthesis of neuro-transmitters, essential for many enzymes, contributes to growth, and energy production.

Iron food sources include:liver, oysters, pine nuts, leafy green vegetables, soy beans, yeast, apricots, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds.

Iron deficiencies manifest as : anemia, brittle nails, longitudinal ridges of the nails, spoon-shaped nails, fatigue, headaches, sore tongue, neural deficits, anorexia, retarded growth and breathing difficulties.

Manganese is essential for the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates, synthesis of thyroxine, RNA synthesis, blood clotting, blood sugar regulation, formation of cartilage, bone growth, and reproduction.

Manganese food sources include: avocados, nuts, seeds, seaweed, whole grains, olives and green leafy vegetables.

Manganese deficiencies manifest as: atherosclerosis, birth defects, deafness, tendon and bone abnormalities, convulsions, dizziness, ataxia, blindness, glucose intolerance, and tinnitus.

Molybdenum aids in the mobilization of iron from the liver, aids in the final stages of conversion of purines to uric acid, promotes normal cell function, co-factor to a number of oxidase enzymes, fat metabolism, iron and copper metabolism.

Molybdenum food sources include: meats, legumes, whole grains, and dark green leafy vegetables.

Molybdenum deficiencies manifest as: gout, dental caries, asthma, mental disturbance, and hyperruricemia. A high inmtake of sulphur will produce a deficiency.

Selenium is an antioxidant protecting against free radicals, inhibits the oxidation of lipids, is involved in pancreatic function and tissue elasticity, detoxification of chemicals, regulates prostaglandin synthesis and is used to treat many diseases such as : arteriosclerosis, stroke, cirrhosis, arthritis, and emphysema.

Selenium food sources include:seafood, fish, organ meats, peanuts, brewer's yeast, brazil nuts, broccoli, garlic, and whole grains.

Selenium deficiencies manifest as: infections, heart disease, liver damage, muscle degeneration, cataracts, growth retardation, premature aging, and various cancers.

Silicon is involved in the formation of collagen, connective tissue, silicon is present in skin, hair, nails and bones, is involved in bone calcification, helps maintain flexible arteries, stimulates the immune system, and slows the aging process of the tissues.

Silicon food sources include: whole grain cereals, brown rice is a rich source of silicon, leafy green vegetables, and horsetail (herb).

Silicon deficiencies manifest as: Reduced collagen content in bone, bone abnormalities, brittle nails, andatherosclerosis .

Vanadium although this mineral is present in the body, it is unclear as to its exact function. As far back as the mid 1800s a Dr William Boericke homeopath, wrote of vanadium :" Its action is that of an oxygen carrier and a catalyzer, hence its use in wasting diseases, Increases amount of haemoglobin, also combines its oxygen with toxins and destroys their virulence. Also increases and stimulates phagocytes". " A a remedy in degenerative disease conditions of the liver and arteries, Anorexia and symptoms of gastro intestinal irritation, albumen casts and blodd in urine. Fatty heart, degenerative states, has brain softening, atheroma of arteries, brain, and liver".

Nutritional Medicine lists this study result:" Researchers at the University of Dundee showed that elevated levels of vanadium in hair were present in manic patients, and that those elevated levels fell towards normal as the subjects improved.In contrast, they found that depressed patients have raised levels of vanadium which appeared to fall with recovery".

Vanadium has also being credited with the ability to lower blood sugar, but the research is still ongoing on this subject. There has been mention that it may interact with chromium so if it antagonizes chromium, and chromium has a positive effect on diabetes , then it might be better to wait for the results of further research re the claims made for its treatment of diabetes.

Vanadium food sources include:Vegetable oils, linseed, soya beans, corn, olives, whole grains.

Vanadium deficiencies: May be linked to cardiovascular disease.

Zinc is involved in brain development, many enzyme functions, immune health, respiration, DNA and RNA synthesis, maintains the integrity of sensory system, maintenance of normal vision, reproduction, wound healing, and muscle function.

Zinc food sources include: Oysters, brewer's yeast, egg yolk, brazil nuts, raw milk,beef, herring,rye, whole grains, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, and mushrooms.

Zinc deficiencies manifest as : Retarded growth, impaired wound healing, brittle nails and white spots on nails, impotence, immune deficiencies, skin diseases, alopecia, high cholesterol, poor concentration, prostate problems, sleep disorders, and night blindness.

Although zinc is present in whole grains, the presence of phytic acid in grains can destroy zinc, so unless all grains and legumes are soaked overnight to remove phytic acid, considerable zinc losses may occur. This also applies to bread and other flour products, the ideal solution here is to eat sour dough bread, and to seek out recipes for making pastas and cakes which have had the phytic acid removed.

References: Davies, Stephen MD, & Stewart, Alan MD, Nutritional Medicine, published Pan books, 1987.

Boericke, William MD. Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica Published B.Jain Pty.Ltd.New Delhi1990.

Osiecki, Henry B.Sc (Hons) Grad. Dip.Nutr and Dietetics, Nutrients in Profile. Published Bioconcepts Kelvin Grove Qld. Australia 1990.

Balch, James MD. & Balch, Phyllis,CNC. Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Avery Publishing Group, New York,1997.