If you hear the word minerals your mind may go to soil studies and rocks. Likely potassium, magnesium, and calcium weren’t the first things that came to mind, and for a good reason. There isn’t a lot of emphasis placed on minerals from traditional healthcare settings, practitioners, or media advertisements. Continue reading to learn how they truly are the unsung heroes in achieving vibrant health.
Why do minerals matter?
Simply stated, mineral deficiencies drive most chronic disease beginning at the cellular level. Minerals, vitamins, and enzymes work together at this level to produce every reaction in the body.
Thousands of cellular reactions in the body require minerals including:
Thyroid hormone conversion from T4 (inactive) to T3 (active) hormone
Converting Vitamin D from storage into an active form
Insulin sensitivity and glucose utilization
Producing neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine
With sufficient levels, our body can perform the natural functions it was designed to do. This allows us to live energized, achieve hormone harmony, and maintain healthy sleep patterns. When mineral levels fall short of what our body needs, these cellular functions are rendered less effective.
What causes mineral deficiency?
Estimates show one in three Americans have at least ten mineral deficiencies. A few primary reasons why these exist include the following:
Our food is depleted- The widespread use of pesticides and fertilizers in farming eliminates beneficial bacteria and binds minerals.
Heavy metal competition- Metals including aluminum, mercury, and lead are more prevalent in our environment than in years past. Metals can occupy binding sites in the body where minerals should be.
Stress- In the body, feeling stressed causes magnesium to be used more readily than it normally would.
Inflammation- American’s high consumption of processed food places a higher demand on minerals to handle oxidative stress.
What can we do to support mineralization?
There are several things you can do to mitigate deficiencies and support healthy mineral levels:
Drinking filtered water
Eating local and organic when possible
Avoid processed foods and alcohol
Avoid exposure to heavy metals when possible
Find healthy ways to manage stress
Use an unrefined mineral salt
Work with a practitioner who uses mineral analysis testing
Summary
The concept of how minerals contribute to disease is not a popular topic. There is often a greater emphasis on managing symptoms and pharmacotherapy. However, their significance cannot be overemphasized as they are involved in most cellular processes your body performs daily. Research shows many individuals living in the United States are deficient in minerals. Luckily, there are many things you can do to support your body in maintaining adequate levels.
References
Cooper Complete Nutritional Supplements. (2024). Mineral Health Benefits- Learn about why minerals matter. [photograph]. Retrieved from https://coopercomplete.com/blog/minerals-benefits/
DiNicolantonio, J., Land, S. (2021). The Mineral Fix: How to Optimize Your Mineral Intake for Energy, Longevity, Immunity, Sleep and More.
Kostov, Krasimir. (2019). "Effects of magnesium deficiency on mechanisms of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes: focusing on the processes of insulin secretion and signaling." International journal of molecular sciences 20, no. 6, 1351.
Pickering, Gisèle, André Mazur, Marion Trousselard, Przemyslaw Bienkowski, Natalia Yaltsewa, Mohamed Amessou, Lionel Noah, and Etienne Pouteau. (2020). "Magnesium Status and Stress: The Vicious Circle Concept Revisited" Nutrients 12, no. 12: 3672. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123672
Uwitonze, Anne Marie and Razzaque, Mohammed S. (2018). "Role of Magnesium in Vitamin D Activation and Function" Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, vol. 118, no. 3, pp. 181-189. https://doi.org/10.7556/jaoa.2018.037 Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board
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