Individual Minerals and Mineral Combinations
Calcium - Calcium is one of the most well researched and best known minerals. Building strong bones, teeth, and regulating muscle contractions are its main functions. The popularity that calcium maintains validates its holding in the top sellers list. Calcium is critical to life and is always circulating in the blood. Without adequate calcium in the blood the body will pull from its calcium stores (bones) and thereby cause the bones to eventually weaken.
Food sources:
- Dairy
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Sardines
- Almonds
- Tofu
- Fortified foods (orange juice, cereal, soy milk)
The average dietary intake of calcium per day for a person who does not consume dairy products is about 300 milligrams, far short of the 1000 that is recommended. The most popular form of calcium is carbonate, but is it the best source? The debate about the optimal source of calcium continues because the answer is unknown. Studies have been inconclusive regarding the best form because they do not take into account the factors affecting absorption. For example: taken with or without food, time of day, separated dosages, physiological need, protein, caffeine, fat, citrus, age, activity and individual enzymatic activity.
Chromium - The active component of Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF), chromium's claim to fame is its effects on blood sugar control. It works closely with insulin to help the cells utilize glucose (blood sugar). Exercise and a diet high in refined carbohydrates can increase the body's excretion of chromium, implicating deficiency. Chromium is often used by non-insulin dependent diabetics to help normalize blood sugar levels. Most of the research is based on NIDDM, also known as Type II Diabetes. While it may help normalize blood glucose, chromium is not a cure for diabetes and should only be supplemented by diabetics when under the care of a health care practitioner. Taken in doses of 50-400 mcg per day, chromium has been shown to be safe.
Iron - Essential to human life, iron plays the main role in the transportation of oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues. Iron deficiency is most often found in young, growing children, pregnant women, and the low-income elderly population. Clinically, iron deficiency is known as anemia. Different populations have different needs for iron:
1. Typically, babies, children, adolescents, pregnant women, premenopausal women, elderly (low income), and individuals with certain medical conditions are at risk for anemia.
2. Men over the age of twenty, and post-menopausal women are two categories of the population that generally have little need for additional iron. For these folks, too much iron could increase their risk for heart disease. In both situations, it's important to look at individual health risk and/or blood panels to determine whether additional iron supplementation is needed.
Potassium - A necessary electrolyte in the maintenance of a'healthy pumping heart, it also functions in the maintenance of muscle and nerve function, water balance and distribution, and kidney function. Research indicates a diet low in potassium and high in sodium is associated with high blood pressure.
More than 95% of the body's potassium is inside the cells
Sodium is mostly contained outside of the cells
Potassium and sodium work together, maintaining fluid balance. In the membrane of all body cells is a pump that regulates these two minerals to prevent cellular swelling and facilitate proper function in muscle and nerve cells. Common signs of potassium deficiency are:
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
The RDI for potassium is 3500 milligrams. Why do our supplements only contain 99 milligrams per tablet? The FDA restricts the amount of potassium available in nonfood-based forms to only 99 milligrams per dose. Greater than 99 mg is considered a drug, although an 8 oz. glass of orange juice provides about 500 mg of potassium.
Selenium - The antioxidant workhorse of the minerals, this trace mineral works with vitamin E in preventing free radical damage to cell membranes. Recommended intake is 50-200 mcg per day for adults. The level of selenium in food is related to the amount available in the soil. Preliminary research shows it may reduce the risk of cancer.
Zinc - Last, but certainly not least, zinc functions in more enzymatic reactions than any other mineral. Foods high in zinc include oysters, shellfish, nuts, and seeds. Zinc is involved with the following:
Immune system
Fertility
Healthy skin
Low zinc status can significantly increase the time it takes for wounds to heal. One sign of zinc deficiency is a loss of acuity in sense of smell and taste. Increased popularity of zinc has recently occurred because preliminary research indicates supplementing with zinc lozenges (must dissolve in the mouth) during a cold can significantly reduce the average length and severity of symptoms.
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Products
Cal-Mag - 100 capsules Cal-Mag - 250 capsules Cal-Mag Chelated - 100 tablets Cal-Mag Chelated - 250 tablets Cal-Mag Citrate Complex- 100 tablets Cal-Mag Citrate Complex- 250 tablets Cal-Mag-Zinc - 100 tablets Cal-Mag-Zinc - 250 tablets Calcium Chewable - 120 tablets Calcium Chewable - 60 tablets Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D - 120 tablets Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D - 60 tablets Chelated Iron 29 mg - 90 tablets Chromium Picolinate 200 mcg - 100 capsules Magnesium Chelated 250 mg - 90 tablets Mega Magnesium 400 mg - 90 capsules Potassium 99 mg - 100 tablets Selenium 100 mcg - 100 capsules Zinc 50 mg - 100 tablets Zinc Lozenges - 60
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