When we think of minerals the image of prospectors and rocks come to mind. Not exactly an image of organic life. However, these very same minerals that make up the earth itself are essential parts of our body's makeup and absolutely necessary for life.
Minerals are categorized into two types according to their respective amounts in the body.
Macrominerals (measured in grams):
Oxygen
Carbon
Hydrogen
Nitrogen
Calcium
Phosphorus
Magnesium
Potassium
Sodium
Chloride
Silicon
Sulfur
Trace Minerals (measured in micrograms):
Chromium
Cobalt
Copper
Strontium
Iodine
Iron
Manganese
Vanadium
Molybdenum
Selenium
Tin
Nickle
Tin
Zinc
If the body were dehydrated and left to decompose the inorganic remains would consist of few pounds of minerals.
"All we are is dust in the wind dude." Ted
from Bill and Ted's Adventure.
Historically the large macrominerals were considered to be important and trace minerals were overlooked. Today we are discovering the importance of the small amounts of trace minerals.
An interesting example is quoted here from Rudolph
Valentine MD."Though
one atom of a trace mineral like zinc or manganese may be very small
in comparison to a huge, complex enzyme molecule, its role is absolutely
crucial. Something about it is unique, so that bringing the chains of
carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen into contact with it allows them
to be transformed into new compounds. Such specific and subtle properties
recall the alchemist's teachings about the power of the metals. In any
event, the inner workings of a cell reveal reactions between the trace
elements that would cause even a medieval alchemist to raise his eyebrows
in disbelief. During the one second that the blood is racing through
the tiny capillaries of the lung, the single atom of zinc that is set in
the center of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase is brought into contact with
600,000 of its target molecules (carbonic acid). The result is that each
is broken into one water and one carbon dioxide molecule. Only because
of the rapidity of the enzyme's action can the carbon dioxide be freed
fast enough from its compounds to leave the blood during that moment
in the alveolus when it is separated from the air by only the thinnest
of membranes. Our ability to rid ourselves of CO2 through the exhaled
air is then utterly dependent on the presence of these critically located
atoms of zinc. Yet the total amount of this mineral in the body is so little
that it was, up until a few years ago, considered to be of no significance! "
Minerals have two functions.
They are used to make up the building blocks of many tissues such as bones, teeth, hair, nails, and muscles. Secondly they are used in many metabolic reactions within the body such as water balance, oxygen transportation, protein metabolism, hormone production, nervous system communication, and digestion to name a few.
One of the first things you notice when you take mineral supplementation is greater energy.
Homeopathy
Minerals
Vitamins