Do you know if you are suffering with nutrient deficiencies? Most people are. Even if you are extremely careful with following a healthy diet and preparing home cooked meals, mineral deficiencies are incredibly common. Modern farming practises have meant soils in most parts of the world are mineral deficient. Stress increases your requirement for certain nutrients and promotes urinary loss of others. Having excess inflammation in your body also means that you use up nutrients at a faster rate. If your body is lacking minerals, you simply cannot function at your best. You are likely to feel tired both physically and mentally. It can also adversely affect your mental health and cognitive performance.

The most common mineral deficiencies

Iron - The oxygen mineral

Iron deficiency is common in women and indeed is the most common cause of fatigue.

We can become low in iron because we –

  • Have heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Have poor gut absorption, especially if we are gluten intolerant
  • Have parasites or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in our gut, which can steal our iron
  • You do not eat enough iron rich foods
  • Are losing blood because of internal bleeding from our gut

A blood test for serum iron studies is an accurate way to see if you are iron deficient. Iron is needed to carry oxygen to every cell in our body so unless we have adequate iron in our body, we will remain tired.

It’s easy to overcome with oral iron supplements or intravenous iron infusions.

Selenium - The Great Protector

Selenium is an essential trace mineral for human health and is needed for the genes (DNA) in the nucleus of the cells to repair damage. Selenium is a powerful antioxidant which fights free radicals and binds heavy metals. Selenium is essential for healthy function of the immune system, heart and reproductive system.

In 1977 a study found that elderly people living in North Norfolk in the UK, lived longer because their soils were rich in selenium.

Many studies have shown that a protective dose of selenium is 100 to 200mcg daily. The high sulphur content of most fertilizers reduces the availability of selenium to our bodies. Cooking can also drain selenium from foods. A very well absorbed form of selenium is selenomethionine.

Magnesium - The Great relaxer

Magnesium is required for optimal function of muscles and nerves so you can understand why we need adequate amounts to relax.

Magnesium is required for over 300 enzyme systems that regulate biochemical reactions in the body, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, energy production, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation. It contributes to the structural development of bone and makes your bones and tendons stronger.

An adult body contains approximately 25 grams of magnesium, with approximately 60% present in the bones - yes magnesium makes our bones strong! Less than 1% of total body magnesium is in the blood serum and this makes blood tests an inaccurate way to check if you have enough magnesium in your body.

Foods high in magnesium include - almonds, spinach, dark green leafy vegetables, avocado, cashews and peanuts.

If your muscles are tight, your blood pressure is high, your sleep is poor and you feel restless, you may be low in magnesium.

Iodine - The metabolism mineral

Iodine is an essential trace mineral and is needed for the manufacture of thyroid hormone and a healthy immune system. Iodine helps to maintain healthy cells and tissue in the thyroid gland, breasts and prostate gland. It is also an excellent natural antibiotic.

Obviously, we do not want to be deficient in this life enhancing mineral, but many people are. Worldwide approximately 2 billion people suffer iodine deficiency. Deficiencies are common in all countries including rich countries.

The iodine-replete healthy adult has 15–20 mg of iodine in their body and 80% of this is stored in the thyroid gland. It is also accumulated by breast and prostate tissue.

To see if you are deficient in iodine you can have a urine test to measure the concentration of iodine in your urine. Average normal urinary iodine concentrations are 100–199 mcg/L in children and adults, 150–249 mcg/L in pregnant women and >100 mcg/L in lactating women. If your levels fall into these ranges this indicates that you have adequate iodine in your body.

Thyroid Health capsules and Breast Health capsules are both an excellent source of iodine.

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease