Minerals

This blog is a simple overview on minerals, their function and their food source.

Northern California Vineyard

A few facts regarding minerals that I found of interest:

I.                   Minerals consist of 4-5% of our body weight

II.                  Minerals have two primary functions

Road to nowhere?

A)     Building

1. Bones

2. Soft tissue                                                

3. Teeth

B)   Regulating

        1. Heart beat

        2. Nerve responses

        3. Blood clotting

        4. Blood movement

        III.           There are two types of minerals that the body requires

A)     Major or Macro

·      Calcium: builds bones and teeth, nerve and heart functioning, blood clotting, muscle contraction and relaxation. Source: Legumes, sardines, milk, and dairy, salmon, green vegetables, broccoli

·      Phosphorus: Helps in building bones and teeth, helps in transporting fat in the form of phospholipids, helps in maintaining acid/base balance, regulates use and release of energy. Source: Cereals, meat, poultry, fish, milk and eggs.

·      Magnesium:  Bowel movements, nerves, muscle relaxation, teeth and bone structure.  Source: Whole grains, sea food, legumes, meat, dairy products.

·       Potassium: essential component of body fluids particularly inside the cells.  Source:  Melons, citrus fruits, potatoes, banana, meat, milk, legumes, fruits and vegetables.

·      Sodium: Needed for the body fluids to the outside of the cells. Source:  Table salt, baking powder, meat, sea food, cheese, vegetables, baking soda, processed food, milk.

B)     Trace

·      Iron: Red blood cells and myogobin in muscle cells, carries oxygen.  Source:  Egg yolk, nuts, and meat, liver, enriched whole grains, legumes.

·      Iodine:  Thyroid hormones cellular oxidation and growth, regulates energy metabolism.  Source:  iodized salt and sea food.

·      Selenium:  Acts as an antioxidant, decreases toxicity of heavy metals, red blood cell enzyme.  Source:  Poultry, fish, dairy, meats, grains.

·      Zinc: Component in enzymes, insulin, immunity, wound healing, taste, sexual maturation, protein synthesis.  Source:  Sea food, whole grains, meat.

·      Chromium:  Aids in the use of insulin.  Source:  Whole grains, cheese, nuts, brewer’s yeast, liver

·      Copper:  Component in enzymes, enzymes in skin pigmentation.  Source:  Nuts, organ meat, seeds, grains, legumes.

·       Fluoride:  Prevents tooth decay, part of teeth and bones.  Source:  fluorinated water, fish, tea.

Overview

What we see beyond the function of each mineral is a common denominator in the food sources where we can obtain the necessary minerals our body requires. 

Fish/ Sea food

Whole Grains

Beans

Meat

Cheese

Eggs

Milk

IMO too much information can be the same as too much of a good thing, so let’s keep it simple.  Drink and eat  your milk, meat and fish,  grains, eggs, greens and beans and you will grow strong stay healthy and live longer.

Redwoods make anyone look thinner.

Go have some fun.

Geo

Phoenix destroying a plate of pasta.