Trace Minerals

"Out of 2.1 million deaths a year in the United States,
1.6 million are related to poor nutrition."
-- C. Everett Koop, Former Surgeon General

Mineral Wheel of Balance Between Macro and Micro Minerals

Trace minerals are found in minute (trace) amounts in the body, but are just as important to the body's health. The mineral wheel (image shown at right) shows the complex interactions between different minerals (macro and trace). Some minerals require other minerals to be present in order to do their job (single arrows on the lines of the mineral wheel.). Other minerals interfere with another’s bioavailability (double, opposing arrows on the lines of the mineral wheel). This simplified mineral wheel illustrates the interactions of only 23 minerals. Imagine the complexity if all 73 naturally occurring minerals and elements were included. Included herein are the more widely known trace minerals.

The primary objective of mineral intake should be to obtain the proper mineral balance. All plant-based foods contain trace minerals.

Boron (B)

Cesium (Cs)

Enters cancer cells and produces alkaline condition, causing cancer cells to die.

Chloride (NaCl)

Is an essential mineral occurring in the body mainly in compound form with sodium or potassium.

Chromium (Cr)

This mineral is now being recognized as important in carbohydrate metabolism. Organic chromium is an active ingredient of a substance called GTF (glucose tolerance factor); niacin and amino acids complete the formula. Chromium stimulates the activity of enzymes involved in the metabolism of glucose for energy and the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol. It appears to increase the effectiveness of insulin and its ability to handle glucose, preventing hypoglycemia or diabetes.

Cobalt (Co)

Is an essential mineral and is an integral part of Vitamin B12. Cobalt acts as a substitute for manganese in activating a number of enzymes in the body. It replaces zinc in some enzymes and activates others as well. It is necessary for normal functioning and maintenance of red blood cells, as well as all other body cells. It is present in ocean and sea vegetation, but is lacking in almost all land grown, green foods.

Copper (Cu)

Is found in all body tissues. During growth, the largest concentrations occur in the developing tissues. It is also one of the most important blood antioxidants and prevents the rancidity of poly-unsaturated fatty acids and helps the cell membranes remain healthy.

Fluorine (F)

In its active form, fluoride, it is present in the soil, water, plants and all animal tissue. Minute amounts are found in nearly every human tissue, especially in the skeleton and teeth.

Gaillium (Gd)

Germanium (Ge)

Highly efficient electrical initiator; aids in oxygen utilization; enhances immune system function.

Gold (Au)

Iodine (I)

Is a trace mineral, most of which is converted into iodide in the body. It aids in the development and functioning of the thyroid gland and is an integral part of thyroxine, a principal hormone produced by the thyroid gland. Iodine plays an important role in regulating the body’s production of energy, promotes growth and development and stimulates the rate of metabolism, helping the body burn excess fat. Mentality, speech and the condition of hair, nails, skin and teeth are dependent upon a well functioning thyroid gland.

Iron (Fe)

Is a mineral concentrate in the blood, which is present in every living cell. It is the mineral that is found in the largest amounts in the blood. It is involved in respiration by being the main carrier vehicle for getting oxygen to all the cells in the body. It is essential to the oxidation of fatty acids.

Lanthanum (La)

Lithium (Li)

Manganese (Mn)

Plays an important role, as an antioxidant, in the prevention of toxic oxygen forms. It may play a part in the degenerative process called aging. It also plays a role in activating numerous enzymes that are necessary for utilization of choline, biotin, thiamine and Vitamin C complex. It is a catalyst in the synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol and mucopolysaccharides.

Molybdenum (Mo)

It is found in practically all plant and animal tissues, but very scarcely in the earth itself. The final stages of making urine are aided by molybdenum, which also helps promote normal cell function.

Nickel (Ni)

Is an essential trace mineral found in the body. Human and animal tests show that nickel may be a factor in hormone, lipid and membrane metabolism and cell membrane integrity. Significant amounts are found in DNA and RNA and nickel may act as a stabilizer of these nucleic acids.

Selenium (Se)

Is an essential mineral found in minute amounts in the body. It is one of the essential body substances that can be used in a preventive manner for many diseases, including cancer, arteriosclerosis, stroke, cirrhosis, arthritis and emphysema. Selenium functions either alone or with enzymes. It is a natural antioxidant that protects against free radicals and appears to preserve elasticity of tissue that becomes less elastic with aging. All diseases that are associated with aging are affected by the workings of Selenium.

Silica (SiO2)

Silicon (Si)

Present in the tissues of skin, fingernails, bones, lungs, trachea, lymph nodes, tendons and aorta. The lungs have highest concentration because of their exposure to the air.

Silver (Ag)

Kills over 650 disease causing organisms; systemic disinfectant and immune support; subdues inflammation and promotes healing; anti-bacterial; anti-viral; anti-fungal.

Sodium (Na)

Is an essential mineral that is found in every cell in the body, but predominantly in the extracellular fluids, the vascular fluids (blood pH) within the blood vessels, arteries, veins and capillaries, and the intestinal fluids surrounding the cells. It functions with potassium to equalize the acid-alkali factor in the blood. Along with potassium, it helps regulate water balance within the body and it helps regulate the distribution of fluids on either side of the cell walls.

Strontium (Sr)

Sulfur (S)

Important mineral used in several amino acids with the body; involved in functions of hemoglobin, insulin hormone, adrenal hormones, enzymes and antibodies.

Tin (Sn)

Animal studies show deficiencies cause poor growth and poor feeding, hearing loss and male pattern baldness. May have cancer prevention properties.

Vanadium (V)

Aids in glucose (blood sugar) oxidation and transport. Enhances insulin effectiveness (aids with blood sugar problems), decreases cholesterol production, increases effectiveness of heart muscle contraction, and has Anti-Cancer properties.

Zinc (Zn)

Is an essential trace mineral occurring in the body in larger amounts than any other trace element except iron. It is present in all tissues. Zinc is known for its ability to fight disease and to protect the immune system. It is involved in the Krebs cycle and energy production. More recently, blindness in the elderly has been found to be arrested by zinc. It is also credited with increasing male sex drive and potency because of its ability to regulate testosterone in the prostate.

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Nutrients - Trace Minerals