How Important Are Trace Minerals?
We all know about the importance of minimum daily requirements for vitamins in our diets, but what about minerals? Do you know that they are actually more important to maintaining a properly functioning body? Are you also aware that more than 80% of us suffer a mineral deficiency in our diets?
Minerals are necessary for many of the body’s processes, such as energy production, bone, teeth and blood formation, the transmission of nerve impulses and enzyme production. Some minerals are more essential than others, and there are some about which little is known concerning daily-recommended intake. Known as trace minerals, or trace elements, deficiencies in these minerals have been linked to specific diseases. (Many believe cancer is related to a selenium deficiency.)
Much of the food we eat is grown in soil that has been stripped of its mineral content. Although trace minerals are naturally found in topsoil, flooding and over-irrigation, along with poor crop rotation, have eroded topsoil, affecting the mineral content of our foods.
The overuse of prescription drugs is another cause of mineral deficiency. Many antibiotics and over-the-counter pain preparations interfere with mineral absorption. Diuretics rid the body of potassium and magnesium. Sleeping pills lower the levels of calcium and magnesium in the blood. Since minerals are vital for normal immune system functioning, the use of mineral-depleting drugs has a direct affect on your health and your body’s ability to fight disease.
Aside from making sure you’re getting an adequate supply of minerals, either through the foods you eat or through supplements, obtaining regular chiropractic care in our office can help you to stay healthy by ensuring that your immune system is functioning at its optimal level.
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