Minerals are inorganic elements; in...

Minerals are inorganic elements; in other words, they are not produc on the human body. Like vitamins, they act as coenzyme meaning that they enable certain chemical reactions to be met with In their second edition of The Real Vitamin and Mineral part Shari Lieberman, Ph.D., and Nancy Bruning explain, "After they have been absorbed, vitamins and minerals actually become part of the form of the body -- of the enclosed spaces enzymes, hormones, muscles, blood, and bone As part of the `body pool' these substances remain in the corpse for varying amounts of time. about are utilized immediately, and one are stored and utilized across a period of time."

Minerals can be feeble down into two groups: macro and micro. As you might gues macro-minerals are necessityed in larger amounts than micro-minerals; nonetheless, adequate amounts of each variety are essential to upright health. The macro-minerals include calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus; the micro-minerals include boron, chromium, cauldron iodine, iron, manganese, potassium, selenium, and zinc.

Here, we'll take a contemplate at the importance of sum of two units minerals in particular -- calcium and selenium.

Calcium. Our bodies contain about 25 triturates of calcium, some of which circulates in the bloodstream and in the fluids surrounding cells; principally calcium, however, is stored in the bone and teeth explain Lieberman and Bruning. It's no surprise then that cheap calcium intake is linked to osteoporosis, thinning of the bones

Women are especially susceptible to osteoporosis. According to the Calcium Information Center of of recent origin York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, although the RDA for calcium for adult women is 1000 ma, half of U women are getting les than half of this virtuous amount, and one quarter are consuming les than 300 mg through day.

This is especially alarming when single in kind learns that research has shown that a large percentage of race have developed osteoporosis even when their calcium intake convenients the RDA. This is not surprising, since many person specially versed s have been recommending 1,800 mg by day for most women.

According to the Center the following clusters should be especially concerned about calcium intake:

* pregnant and lactating women;

* post-menopausal women;

* populace with anorexia or bulimia;

* clan who are lactose intolerant;

* chronic dieters; and,

* cancer patients who have undergone chemotherapy.

In addition to building and maintaining hale bones, appropriate calcium intake has been linked to controlling high life-current pressure, too (see "Lifestyles," this issue).

When supplementing with calcium, Lieberman and Bruning advise taking magnesium and vitamin D as well, since these three nutrients work synergistically, enhancing undivided another's absorption and utilization.

Selenium. More known for its potential toxicity than its health benefits, selenium is lately winning new confidence. A consideration published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in December 1996 put out to investigate if selenium supplementation would furnish protection against skin cancer. What it build was that while supplementation did not obstruct this type of cancer, it was associated with a 37-percent reduction in cancer incidence and a 50-percent reduction in cancer deaths for prostate, lung and colorectal cancers.

The consideration was double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled and careered in multiple cities in the eastern United States. The participants who received selenium, as oppos to the placebo, took a dose of 200 micrograms (mcg) daily.

In addition to offering cancer protection, selenium, an antioxidant, has been shown to fortify against heart disease, boost immunity, and improve one's mood

Although no undivided disputes that selenium is indeed a beneficial nutrient, if taken in exces it can be toxic. Chronic overuse can lead to: nausea, hair los neurological moot points respiratory failure, and liver damage. Keeping your intake to-268 mcg a day appear to bes to be a safe, and winning, bet.

REFERENCE

Brody Jane E "Hope Rising for Selenium," The of the present day York Times, February 19,1997.

Clark, Larry C MPH PhD et al. "Effect of Selenium Supplementation for Cancer Prevention in Patients with Carcinoma of the Skin," Journal of the American Medical Association 276(24):1957-1963 December 25 1996

Lieberman, Shari, PhD The Real Vitamin & Mineral volume Garden City Park, N.Y.: Avery Publishing assign places to 1997.

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