Tag Archives: minerals

Why Does My Body Need Boron?

There are many trace elements that the body needs — but only in very small amounts. Boron is one of them. Boron is easily found in the environment: in soil, the ocean, and plants. Green veggies, fruits, and nuts are excellent food sources of boron, and most people get all the boron they need from diet alone. This mineral is thought to help the body use glucose (blood sugar), fats, and other minerals like calcium and magnesium. Boron has been suggested for treating a variety of medical conditions. However, it hasn’t done very well in clinical trials. Hormone regulation: boron … Continue reading →

Why Does My Body Need Phosphorus?

Phosphorus is a mineral that has many useful roles for the body. It is used in energy metabolism, to help the body use some B-complex vitamins, for muscle and nerve function, and for kidney function. But one of the most important roles of phosphorus is to help the body maintain its calcium balance. This mineral is essential to the formation of bones and teeth, and bone and tooth health throughout all stages of life. Cool phosphorus fact: approximately one percent of an adult’s total body weight is phosphorus. However, most of that phosphorus (about 85%) lives in your bones and … Continue reading →

Why Does My Body Need Copper?

It’s a favorite for jewelry, wiring, and coins… but copper is important for our bodies, too. Copper is a mineral that is found in the earth’s crust… and in surface and ground water around the world. Plants grown in copper-rich soil or animals that eat those plants may be rich in copper. What does copper do in the body? It does lots of things! Copper is a component of more than one enzyme in the body. It is involved with regulating cellular metabolism and connective tissue formation. Copper also helps the body absorb, store, and metabolize iron, another important mineral. … Continue reading →

Selenium and Health Issues

Selenium is a trace mineral — a mineral your body needs in small amounts as compared to macrominerals (like iron and calcium) that your body needs in large amounts. But even a trace mineral can have a big impact on your health. Selenium deficiency is often seen in places where concentrations of selenium in the soil are low — like China, and parts of Russia. Studies have shown that selenium deficiency may contribute to a host of health issues, including heart disease, thyroid issues, and a weakened immune system. Researchers believe that a selenium deficiency doesn’t usually cause illness by … Continue reading →

Why Does My Body Need Selenium?

If you look at the list of vitamins and minerals on your multivitamin, you might find selenium there. Selenium is a “trace mineral” — one that your body needs, but only in very small amounts. What does selenium do for the body? This mineral is used by proteins in the body to make antioxidants called selenoproteins. Antioxidants are good things — they help prevent cell damage from free radicals. Selenoproteins also help the immune system function and assist in regulating thyroid function. Many people get their necessary selenium from foods — plant foods in particular. The selenium content of grains … Continue reading →

Tin in Your Vitamin?

I got caught up for a good twenty minutes at the drug store the other day, trying to decide on a new multivitamin. Usually, I take a vitamin B complex and a vitamin D supplement, and that’s it — the rest of the vitamin alphabet I can get from my diet, but I feel like I need some help with the D and the Bs. The problem began when the drug store was out of my usual brand of vitamin D. Oh no! Complicating the problem was the fact that all vitamins from the same brand were buy one get … Continue reading →

What is Surface Mining and is it Bad?

Surface mining is the practice of the removing the soil and rock over a mineral deposit, such as coal. Rather than digging an underground shaft, the mineral is removed from the top, so there is no chance of collapse of a shaft. The three types of surface mining are strip mining, open-pit mining, and mountain top removal. Some say there are advantages to surface mining. The obvious advantage is that it should be safer for mine workers than being in shafts where they can be trapped. There is also a lower cost of recover (since trucks can enter the mine), … Continue reading →

Chromium Deficiency

Your body doesn’t need massive amounts of chromium, but it does need some chromium in order to function properly. The intestinal tract absorbs very low amounts of chromium — not much more than two and a half percent of the chromium consumed at best. What your body does manage to absorb gets stored in the liver, spleen, tissue, and bones. What helps improve chromium absorption? Vitamin C (found in fruits and veggies) Niacin (a B vitamin found in red meats, poultry, fish, and whole grains) You don’t necessarily have to stress about your chromium intake. The body needs very little … Continue reading →

Why Does My Body Need Chromium

It takes a lot of different things to keep your body going. A mineral called chromium is essential for good health… though experts don’t know a whole lot about how much or why. What does chromium do in the body? It seems like it has a couple of related functions for good health, including: Enhancing insulin action. Insulin helps the body metabolize and store carbs, fat, and protein. Chromium seems to play a role in helping the body continue to process blood sugar normally as you age. Enhancing carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. More research is underway on this one, … Continue reading →

Magnesium and Health Issues

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Magnesium is an essential mineral for good health. Research has suggested that it may play a role in managing major health issues! Magnesium and blood pressure: a clinical study called DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) found that high blood pressure could be lowered with a diet heavy in fruits, veggies, and low-fat dairy. That kind of diet is high in minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. It’s hard to see the effects of magnesium alone — it is often present in foods that are high in fiber and potassium, too. But the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, … Continue reading →