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Mineral Medicines

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n order for something to be a mineral, it must first meet four criteria:

  1. First, all minerals are solid. So, while water may contain minerals, water itself can't be a mineral because it's liquid.

  2. Minerals are all naturally formed. This means they can't be manufactured in a lab. Synthetic gems, like cubic zirconia, are therefore not minerals.

  3. All minerals have a unique and specific chemical composition. This is like the DNA of the mineral - it's what makes the mineral different from other minerals.

  4. Lastly, all minerals have a crystalline structure. Minerals are some of the most beautiful substances on Earth, because they are always arranged in an orderly geometric pattern. Minerals of the same type always have the same geometric arrangement of their atoms. Crystal form is the outward expression of the orderly arrangement of atoms inside the mineral. What you are seeing is the actual arrangement and structure of the atoms in that mineral. For example, look at some everyday table salt, which is a combination of sodium and chlorine. Normally, what you see is a salt cube, but if you were to break this cube down into smaller parts, it would simply break into smaller and smaller cubes because that is how the atoms are arranged.

n order for something to be a mineral, it must first meet four criteria:

  1. First, all minerals are solid. So, while water may contain minerals, water itself can't be a mineral because it's liquid.

  2. Minerals are all naturally formed. This means they can't be manufactured in a lab. Synthetic gems, like cubic zirconia, are therefore not minerals.

  3. All minerals have a unique and specific chemical composition. This is like the DNA of the mineral - it's what makes the mineral different from other minerals.

  4. Lastly, all minerals have a crystalline structure. Minerals are some of the most beautiful substances on Earth, because they are always arranged in an orderly geometric pattern. Minerals of the same type always have the same geometric arrangement of their atoms. Crystal form is the outward expression of the orderly arrangement of atoms inside the mineral. What you are seeing is the actual arrangement and structure of the atoms in that mineral. For example, look at some everyday table salt, which is a combination of sodium and chlorine. Normally, what you see is a salt cube, but if you were to break this cube down into smaller parts, it would simply break into smaller and smaller cubes because that is how the atoms are arranged.

The health benefits associated with proper mineral consumption can not be overstated. Many illnesses that are due to deficiencies in different vitamins may produce mild effects and are easily treatable.

However, deficiencies in several of the mineral types can result in serious health conditions, that if left untreated, can rapidly lead to death. It should be apparent that a healthy dietary routine that is rich in vitamins and minerals is of utmost importance.

Minerals are important for your body to stay healthy. Your body uses minerals for many different jobs, including keeping your bones, muscles, heart, and brain working properly. Minerals are also important for making enzymes and hormones.

There are two kinds of minerals: macrominerals and trace minerals. You need larger amounts of macrominerals. They include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride and sulfur. You only need small amounts of trace minerals. They include iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, fluoride and selenium. Most people get the amount of minerals they need by eating a wide variety of foods. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a mineral supplement. People who have certain health problems or take some medicines may need to get less of one of the minerals. For example, people with chronic kidney disease need to limit foods that are high in potassium.

A number of minerals are essential for health: calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, iron, zinc, iodine, sulfur, cobalt, copper, fluoride, manganese, and selenium. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 recommends that people should aim to meet their nutrient requirements through a healthy eating pattern that includes nutrient-dense forms of foods.

Major Minerals

 

 

Calcium (the most important mineral)

 

  • Builds and maintains strong bones and teeth

  • Assists in the regulation and rhythm of the heart

  • Regulates the passage of nutrients into and out of the cells

  • Promotes normal blood clotting

  • Maintains nerve and muscle function

  • Lowers blood pressure

  • Promotes normal kidney function

  • Lowers cholesterol levels in blood

  • Reduces the probability of contracting colon cancer

  • Alleviates the effects of insomnia

 

Chloride

 

  • Acts as an electrolyte (regulates the electrical communication between cells)

  • Controls the pH balance in blood by limiting the presence of acid

  • The main component of hydrochloric acid, assists the stomach in the digestion of food

  • It also aids in the removal of waste from the blood stream via the liver

 

Magnesium

 

  • Helps to lower and regulate blood pressure

  • Assists in the regulation of the beating of the heart

  • regulates the neuromuscular activity of the heart

  • Required for calcium and vitamin C metabolism

  • Converts blood sugar into energy

  • Controls the pH balance of your blood by limiting the presence of acid

  • Has been shown to alleviate the effects of stress, tension, and headaches

 

Phosphorus

 

  • Aids in the formation of healthy bones and teeth

  • Aids in the production of collagen (prevents the effects of wrinkles)

  • Aids in the production of energy

  • Exists in every cell membrane and is required for normal functionality

  • Keeps blood from clumping while traveling throughout the body to lower the risk of contracting heart disease

  • Aids in the production of bile and the prevention of fatty acid build up in the liver

 

Potassium

 

  • Acts as an electrolyte (regulates the electrical communication between cells)

  • Works in conjunction with sodium to regulate waste

  • Regulates and normalizes heart rhythm

  • Assists your body in maintaining a proper balance of water

  • Promotes clear thinking by sending oxygen to the brain

  • Has been shown to lower and regulate blood pressure

  • Maintains correct alkalinity levels in bodily fluids

  • Stimulates kidneys to eliminate poisonous waste material

  • Has also been shown to alleviate muscle cramps and prevent them from occurring

  • Improves and promotes healthy skin

 

Sodium

 

  • Acts as an electrolyte (regulates the electrical communication between cells)

  • Assists the body in preventing blood clots

  • Maintains proper body water distribution

  • Assists in maintaining proper acidity/alkaline levels

  • Aids in the transmission of nerve impulses

  • Although excess levels can raise blood pressure, reasonable levels actually lower blood pressure levels

  • Assists in the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats

 

Sulfur

 

  • Contributes to the strength of hair, nails (finger and toe) and skin

  • Assists in several enzyme reactions and the synthesis of protein

  • Aids in the formation and production of collagen (prevents the effects of wrinkles)

  • Assists the red blood cells in their ability to carry oxygen throughout your body

  • Has been shown to be a very effective agent in the removal of toxins from the body

A mineral deficiency occurs when your body doesn’t obtain or absorb the required amount of a mineral.

The human body requires different amounts of each mineral to stay healthy. Specific needs are outlined in recommended daily allowances (RDA). The RDA is the average amount that meets the needs of about 97 percent of healthy people. They can be obtained from food, mineral supplements, and food products that have been fortified with extra minerals. There are five main categories of mineral deficiency: calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc.

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A deficiency often happens slowly over time and can be caused by a number of reasons. An increased need for the mineral, lack of the mineral in the diet, or difficulty absorbing the mineral from food are some of the more common reasons.

Mineral deficiencies can lead to a variety of health problems, such as weak bones, fatigue, or a decreased immune system.

After studying this course, you should be able to:

  • Understand certain minerals are required in the body and that some minerals form essential structural components of tissues

  • Understand that sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride ions are important in maintaining the correct composition of cells and of the tissue fluids around them (homeostasis)

  • Understand that some minerals are essential components of important molecules such as hormones and enzymes

  • Understand that the correct fluid balance is essential for normal functioning of the body

  • Understand that tapwater, and not just mineral water, contains minerals.

Multivitamin/Multimineral Supplements

Multivitamins/multiminerals (MVMs) are the most frequently used dietary supplements, with close to half of American adults taking them. MVMs cannot take the place of eating a variety of foods that are important to a healthy diet. Foods provide more than vitamins and minerals. Many foods also have fiber and other substances that can provide health benefits. However, some people who don’t get enough vitamins and minerals from food alone, or who have certain medical conditions, might benefit from taking one or more of these nutrients found in single-nutrient supplements or in MVMs. However, evidence to support their use for overall health or disease prevention in the general population remains limited.

Minerals play all sorts of roles in the medical field. From helping cure cancer, to assisting in surgical procedures, different minerals can be found in nearly every aspect of the medical field. Below is a brief list of minerals that perform tasks essential to the function of modern medicine.

  • Zeolites have blood-clotting properties that have been used in the military and with medical personnel. They also aid in the cleanup of nuclear radiation, which may help cancer researchers prevent cancer.

  • Gypsum helps mold plaster casts to heal broken bones.

  • Malachite is known for its antimicrobial properties.

  • Titanium, platinum, and gold are used for many medical needs, like repairing broken bones and teeth.

  • Silicon is used for a number of medical procedures, including life-saving pacemakers.

  • Rubies are used in surgical lasers, and in gallstone removal.

  • Lithium is commonly administered as a mood-stabilizer for those who suffer from certain mental-health issues, such as bipolar.

  • Selenium helps combat dandruff, and has shown impressive cancer fighting properties.

Minerals are involved in several metabolic functions that occur within the human body. Several minerals are components of enzymes (protein based molecules that speed up a chemical reaction in a living organism) which act as catalysts for many of the chemical reactions that occur within the body. Minerals also regulate and manage the normal function of human and animal organs, muscles, and tissues.

For example, sodium and potassium are crucial for maintaining proper fluid balance, calcium is a the primary structural component in bones and teeth, and iron is responsible for transporting oxygen, in the blood, throughout the body.

Skin, hair, nails, teeth, bones, and all other tissues require minerals in able to form. In addition, minerals are also involved in several bodily functions, including controlling several systems within the body and in the production of energy. In the event that an individual is deficient in any one of the major or trace minerals, the human body will digress to a level of structural weakness, internal system dysfunction, and over time, contract some form of debilitating disease.

While vitamins and minerals are two very different types of substances, they work synergistically to promote good health and wellness as they are responsible for maintaining, or assisting with, the proper functionality of many of the various bodily functions that are required to sustain life.

The human body cannot receive or process vitamins without a sufficient supply of minerals. Similarly, minerals will be largely ineffective if not supplemented with a vitamin rich diet. For this reason, it is important to ensure that you consume a diet that is high in both vitamins and minerals.

One of the major differences between vitamins and minerals is that vitamins are considered to be organic substances because they contain carbon. On the other hand, minerals lack carbon and are thus referred to as inorganic.

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