Have you ever gone to the doctor with a complaint only to have him/her say - "You're getting older, that's normal"? I hate that! What is it about our society that we have been snookered into believing that every single thing we experience is a normal part of aging. I call HOGWASH!
I believe we can all live an ABNORMAL (according to society's definition) life and that we do have more control over how we age and we do not have to accept that everything is a sign of aging.
I am NOT a doctor, and am definitely NOT giving you medical advice. If you think you have a medical problem, go to a doctor - they can help you.
There are some doctors who are really knowledgeable and helpful when it comes to giving you healthy living advice - like how nutrition can be the answer to many of your needs. But in my experience, most doctors have no training or desire to help you with nutritional advice. And most patients will not take on the personal responsibility of making lifestyle changes – and that’s really what it all boils down to!
So, let’s explore nutrition, and specifically Minerals, and how important they are to E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!
Minerals are essential nutrients for every living cell in the human body. Minerals assist in body functions such as producing energy, growing, and healing. Minerals are required for fluid balance, blood and bone development, maintaining a healthy nervous system, and regulating muscles, including heart muscles. Minerals participate in all enzyme reactions in the body and help in the assimilation and use of vitamins and other nutrients.
What is the definition of a Mineral Deficiency? A reduced level of any of the minerals essential to human health.
Have you ever experienced any of the following: Fatigue; Brain Fog; Numbness or tingling in your extremities; Weakness; Muscle Cramps or Twitches? All of these can be a sign of mineral or nutritional deficiency! The good news is - it's an easy remedy! Let's learn a little more about what each of these can be a symptom of.
Muscle cramps or twitches
Calcium is not only important for healthy bones and teeth, which can reduce your risk of fractures; but it also plays a big part in normal nerve and muscle functions? Some of the signs of low levels of calcium are: muscle weakness, involuntary twitching (particularly around the face and mouth), as well as heart palpitations or abnormal heart rhythms.
Fatigue and weakness
Many people complain of fatigue and feeling “worn out” and that can be a common symptom of many types of nutritional deficiencies, such as: Vitamin D, iron, and magnesium. Vitamin D is also important for healthy bones and muscles – not just calcium. Vitamin D deficiency can present as overall fatigue, or as muscle aches. Magnesium deficiency can cause fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, abnormal heart rhythms and even seizures.
Numbness or tingling
Potassium helps your nerves, heart and muscles function properly. When your potassium levels are low, you can experience a number of things, such as: numbness or pins-and-needles sensations, muscle weakness, constipation and heart rhythm abnormalities. Potassium deficiencies can often appear in people who take diuretics, as well as people who are very physically active or perspire a lot.
Problems focusing or thinking clearly
Another common symptom of mineral deficiencies and vitamin deficiencies is Brain Fog. The most common issue for brain fog or inability to focus can be a Vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 helps your body produce neurotransmitters that serve as messengers between your nerves. When these neurotransmitters decline, that’s when you just can’t think straight! Other symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency can include: fatigue, mood changes, difficulty coordinating walking and other movements, and more. Vitamin B12 is not found in plant food sources, so vegans tend to be at a significantly increased risk for this deficiency.
Ready for Solutions?
For those of you who do not want to do a deep dive into all the deets about mineral deficiencies, and you just want my recommendation for a solid monthly supplement program, CLICK HERE
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Now, for those of you who really like to KNOW WHY these are critical for you to experience a vibrant and vital life…. Read on.
The following information comes from the Encyclopedia of Children’s Health http://www.healthofchildren.com/ and can be seen in its entirety in their article:
The essential bulk minerals include:
- Calcium—essential for strong bones and teeth, healthy gums, and bone growth and mineral density in children. Calcium helps regulate the heart rate and nerve impulses, lower cholesterol, prevent atherosclerosis, develop muscles, and prevent muscle cramping. Calcium is an important component of blood clotting. Calcium and phosphorus are closely related minerals that should be balanced. Calcium deficiency is often due to vitamin D deficiency, because vitamin D is required for efficient absorption of dietary calcium.
- Magnesium—assists in the utilization of calcium and potassium, and functions in enzyme reactions to produce energy. Magnesium protects the lining of arteries and helps form bones. It helps prevent cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and some cancers. Dietary magnesium deficiency may occur in chronic alcoholics, persons taking diuretic drugs, and as a result of severe, prolonged diarrhea.
- Sodium—sodium deficiency is serious and usually happens after excessive losses of body fluids (dehydration) during prolonged and severe diarrhea or vomiting. Sodium and potassium are electrolytes that must be balanced in the body. Since most people get more than enough salt in the diet, potassium may be needed to balance it. Prolonged imbalances in sodium and potassium can contribute to heart disease.
- Potassium—important for a healthy nervous system and a steady heart rate, helps to prevent stroke. Potassium is an electrolyte and must be balanced with sodium. Potassium deficiency is usually associated with sodium deficiency and both are associated with dehydration stemming from excessive losses of body fluid.
- Phosphorus—helps form bones and teeth, supports cell growth, and regulates heart muscle contraction and kidney function. Phosphorus converts food to energy and supports the utilization of vitamins. Phosphorus is closely related to calcium and the two minerals should be in balance with each other and with magnesium. Milk, eggs, and green, leafy vegetables are rich in calcium and phosphate.
Trace minerals essential for human health include:
- Boron—required for healthy bones, brain function, alertness, and the metabolism of bulk minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. As we age supplementation may help absorb calcium. A deficiency in boron is associated with vitamin D deficiency. Boron supplements can improve calcium levels as well as vitamin D levels, and can help prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women by promoting calcium absorption.
- Chromium—required for maintaining energy levels. Chromium helps metabolize glucose and stabilize glucose levels. It helps the body manufacture and use cholesterol and protein.
- Copper—helps form healthy bones, joints, and nerves as well as hemoglobin and red blood cells. Copper contributes to healing, energy production, taste, and hair and skin color. It is essential in forming collagen for healthy bones and connective tissue, and helps prevent osteoporosis.
- Germanium—helps improve the delivery of oxygen to tissues and remove toxins and poisons from the body. Germanium gives garlic its natural antibiotic properties.
- Iodine—helps promote healthy physical and mental development in children. Iodine is required for thyroid gland function and metabolizing fats. Iodine deficiency is a public health problem in parts of the world that have iodine-deficient soils. Iodine is needed to make thyroid hormone, which has a variety of roles in human embryo development. A deficiency during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects. Deficiency in adults can result in an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) in the neck.
- Iron—critical in the production of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells, and myoglobin found in muscle tissue. Iron is essential for important enzyme reactions, growth, and maintaining a healthy immune system. In the blood, iron is found in larger amounts than any other mineral. Iron deficiency causes anemia (low hemoglobin and reduced numbers of red blood cells), which results in tiredness and shortness of breath because of poor oxygen delivery.
- Manganese—essential for metabolizing fat and protein, regulating blood glucose, and supporting immune system and nervous system function. Manganese is necessary for normal bone growth and cartilage development. It is involved in reproductive functions and helps produce mother's milk. Along with B vitamins, manganese produces feelings of well-being. Deficiency can lead to convulsions, vision and hearing problems, muscle contractions, tooth-grinding and other problems in children; and atherosclerosis, heart disease, and hypertension in older adults.
- Molybdenum—found in bones, kidneys, and liver. Only extremely small amounts are needed to metabolize nitrogen and promote proper cell function. Molybdenum is present in beans, peas, legumes, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables. A diet low in these foods can lead to mouth and gum problems and cancer.
- Selenium—an important antioxidant that works with vitamin E to protect the immune system, heart, and liver, and may help prevent tumor formation.
- Silicon—helps form bones and connective tissue, nails, skin, and hair. Silicon is important in preventing cardiovascular disease.
- Sulfur—disinfects the blood and helps to rid the body of harmful bacteria and toxic substances.
- Vanadium—vital to cell metabolism, and helps reduce cholesterol and form healthy bones and teeth. Vanadium functions in reproduction. Deficiencies may be associated with heart and kidney disease and reproductive disorders. Vanadium deficiency may be associated with infant mortality.
- Zinc—important in the growth of reproductive organs and regulation of oil glands. Zinc is required for protein synthesis, immune system function, protection of the liver, collagen formation, and wound healing. A component of insulin and major body enzymes, zinc helps vitamin absorption, particularly vitamins A and E.
If you're still with me, I hope this information has given you some insight into just what might be making you feel older than you should. Aging doesn't have to bring on a whole host of complaints (unless you're talking about what's happening in the world these days!) - you deserve a Vital Life where you can experience all the things you want without nagging symptoms that might easily be remedied with a few supplements! If you have questions or just want to chat, you can reach out to me HERE!
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