“The Minerals”
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust… When life leaves the body, what is left behind will indeed become a small pile of ashes. Carbs, proteins, fats, vitamins, and water will all disintegrate, be consumed, or evaporate. What is left behind? Minerals.
About 5 pounds of minerals. Doesn’t seem too vital, but they are. If we ran a magnet through the ashes, we’d get less than a teaspoon of iron. Vital to absorption of oxygen!
“There are 7 major minerals.” And many, many trace minerals. This doesn’t mean that the major minerals are more important, Just that they’re in larger quantities, so we need to eat more of them.
So today… We’ll begin with calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Later, sodium, potassium, chloride, and sulfate.
“Calcium” Where do we find it in the body? “99% is in teeth and bones.” What does it do here? “Integral part of bone structure.” “Also serves as a bank that can release calcium into blood.”
How do bones form? “Calcium and phosphate crystallize on collagen protein.” This happens as our bones form. “These hydroxyapatite crystals accumulate, giving strength to new bone.”
How do they stay strong? “Fluoride can join this, forming fluorapatite.” “This compound resists bone-dismantling forces.” Hence, fluoride in toothpaste. But fluoride can be toxic in large amounts!
What else does calcium do? “Calcium also is important for:” “blood pressure” “blood clotting” “muscle contraction” “including heartbeat!” “secretion of hormones”
Possible connections Perhaps… Cholesterol in blood Diabetes Colon and rectal cancers Healthy body weight
“Calcium Balance” Key to bone health is in calcium balance. “Body must balance new calcium placed in bones” “With calcium taken from bones.” Otherwise, we risk osteoporosis.
How does bone mass vary?
Where can we get calcium? “From dairy, tofu, broccoli, greens, whole grains” Toxicities can include interference with absorption of other nutrients, and kidney stones.
“Phosphorus” Second most abundant mineral in the body. “85% is attached to calcium in bones and teeth.” The unsung hero of bones!
What else does it do? It is also valuable for: acid-base balance part of DNA and RNA storing and releasing food energy present in proteins
Am I short on phosphorus? Probably not, “deficiencies are rare.” Because protein contains phosphorus, where can we get it? “Meat, dairy, and beans are good sources.”
“Magnesium” “Only 1 ounce in a 130-lb person” Still, a lot as far as minerals are concerned! “Over half in bones.” “Rest in muscles, heart, liver, other soft tissues.”
What if dietary intake fails? Bones can be tapped for Mg, and kidneys can conserve it.
So what does it do? “Mg is important for:” “operation of 300 enzymes” “release of energy from nutrients” “heart functioning” “muscle contraction”
Why deficiency? Inadequate intake, vomiting/diarrhea, alcoholism, protein malnutrition. Can cause hallucinations that can be mistaken for mental illness. Half U.S. has intake below recommended.
Toxicity “Toxicity occurs from supplements, or children with access to medicine cabinets.” Also older people who abuse laxatives, antacids, other meds. Diarrhea, dehydration.