MINERALS OUR BODY NEEDS
The average person's body is composed of nearly 70% water, plus compounds including vitamins, enzymes, hormones, and trace minerals, the balance of which is important to proper functioning of the body. By elements, the adult body consists of 65% oxygen, 18% carbon, 10% hydrogen, 3% nitrogen, 1.5% calcium, 1% phosphorus, and 1.5% other elements.
There are 21 essential mineral elements necessary for the human body. The ground on which we walk contain these same minerals. The difference is that in the ground they are in the inorganic form, and in our bodies they are in the organic form. Man cannot utilize the inorganic form found in the ground. When we eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains, we get the organic minerals. But man cannot eat clay and live, even if it has all of the necessary minerals, because they are in the inorganic form. This also holds true for our drinking water, as it contains inorganic minerals which our bodies cannot assimilate. The best water for drinking is distilled water (rain water is also distilled water). In this chapter we are going to take a look at each one of these 21 organic minerals that our body needs, tel how they help our bodies, and what natural foods contain these minerals.
CALCIUM is one of the most important minerals in the body for building the bones and teeth. It soothes the nerves thus decreasing nervousness. Calcium contracts the heart and is needed for the contraction of all muscles. Calcium is required for the complex processes of blood coagulation. Some natural food sources high in calcium are black strap molasses, almonds, oranges, and most greens such as kale, turnip, collards, etc.
CHLORINE is a trace mineral which is needed in very small amounts. Its main function is acting as a part of the hydrochloric acid produced in the stomach for digesting proteins. It is found in kale, beets, radishes, rye flour, coconuts, tomatoes, and ripe olives.
CHROMIUM is a trace mineral, and its main function is to aid in the synthesization of fatty acids. Those who have problems with low blood sugar or diabetes should eat lots of natural whole grains, as this trace mineral is lost in the refining processes of our food.
COBALT is a trace mineral, the body needs in very minute amounts. It is an essential element in vitamin B12. Cobalt stimulates the production of red cells. It is found in Kelp and all green leafy vegetables.
COPPER is a trace mineral element found in all tissues of the body. An excess can be dangerous and cause insanity. Recent studies done by Dr. Oscar Roth of Yale University School of Medicine revealed serum copper is high with use of birth control pil s. Copper is needed for skin and hair pigmentation, for bone formation, and in the production of red blood cells. Some foods that contain copper are wheat germ, nuts, honey, raisins, soy beans, and oats.
FLUORINE is another trace element that the body needs. It exists in the body in compounds called fluorides. Its action is to strengthen the bones, and it acts strongly on the spleen, the teeth, and the enamel of the teeth. Foods containing fluorine are cabbage, cauliflower, avocados, tomatoes, watercress, etc.. Note: The sodium fluoride that is added to our water supply is not natural and does much harm to our bodies.
IODINE is a trace mineral. Iodine is the thyroid gland's favorite nutrient and helps regulate the body's metabolism and sodium-potassium ratio balance. Major symptoms of iodine deficiency are feeling cold, being tired, prone to gain weight, painful menstruation, and poor memory. Some food sources of iodine are kelp, sea salt, sunflower seeds, turnip greens, and cantaloupe.
IRON is a mineral that aids in the production of hemoglobin and aids the red cells in carrying oxygen to the tissues. It supplies energy and vitality, nourishes the tissues from the blood stream, aids in resistance to disease, and in the growth of children. The highest food source of iron is blackstrap molasses (3 times higher than liver). Other sources of iron are almonds, kelp, lentils, oats, raisins, and whole wheat flour.
MANGANESE is a mineral needed for the glandular system, such as the pituitary gland, pancreas, liver, and kidneys. It acts upon the nervous system, and aids in muscle coordination. Epilepsy, uncontrollable muscle convulsions, and their accompanying blackouts, seem to result from manganese deficiency. Food sources of manganese are buckwheat, oats, barley, brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, peas, beans, almonds, and brown rice.
MAGNESIUM is one of the most important minerals next to calcium. Magnesium helps in the metabolizing of calcium and Vitamin C. It regulates nervous irritability and muscle contractions. Nuts and cereal grains are especially rich in magnesium.
MOLYBDENUM is a trace mineral which assists in the metabolizing of iron which has been stored in the liver. It also helps in converting nitrogen, left over from the digestion of protein, into uric acid. It then travels to the kidneys and is discharged through the urine. Natural food sources of molybdenum are soybeans, peas, honey, whole rye and wheat, squash, vegetables, blackstrap molasses, sea salt, and fruits.
NICKEL is another of the trace-mineral elements, but the role it plays in the human body is not clear. The main food source for nickel is found in vegetables.
PHOSPHORUS performs more functions in the body than any other mineral. Approximately 80% is in the bones, and 20% is found in the tissues. It is closely related with calcium, and is therefore found in the bones, teeth, muscle, and brain. It is needed for nerve tissue, especially the heart. Some natural food sources for phosphorus are whole grains, seeds, and nuts. Many processed foods and soft drinks contain added phosphates; these are harmful and should not be used.
POTASSIUM helps the body keep a proper acid-alkaline balance. It is essential for muscle contractions, therefore, it is vital to proper heart function, especially the normal heart beat. Some natural food sources are all green leafy vegetables, oranges, whole grains, nuts, and bananas.
SELENIUM is an anti-oxidant, which helps prevent the hemoglobin in red blood cells from being damaged by oxidation. Some natural food sources are kelp, garlic, grains, and most vegetables.
SILICON is essential for building strong bones, and for the normal growth of hair, nails, and teeth. It is beneficial in all healing processes, and protects the body against many diseases. Some natural food sources are fruits, particularly apples, whole grains, beets, onions, parsnips, and almonds.
SODIUM has a special function in the body to prevent clotting of the blood, to stimulate the spleen, to regulate heat in body fluids, to neutralize acid, and relax the heart muscle as well as other muscles in the body. Sodium, as an organic mineral does not present any problem to the body if used in moderation; but sodium chloride (common table salt) the inorganic form, can cause problems such as fluid retention, kidney damage, heart problems, high blood pressure, etc.. Some natural food sources are kelp, celery, romaine lettuce, watermelon, and sea salt.
SULPHUR is found in every cell of the body. The cells that contain most of the sulphur are those of the skin, hair, and joints. That is why it is sometimes called the beauty mineral. Some natural food sources are radishes, turnips, onions, celery, string beans, kale, watercress, and soybeans.
TIN is needed for the human body, but little more than this is presently known. This trace mineral element is found in all vegetation growing on soil that is not depleted of tin.
VANADIUM is also a trace mineral that the human body needs, but little more than this is presently known Natural food sources are whole unrefined grains.
ZINC is needed for the brain, the retina of the eye, and the visual process, as well as for normal growth, especially of the bones. It is also needed for the development of the sex organs, and for the normal function of the prostrate gland. A zinc deficiency leads to a diminished sensitivity to taste and smell . Some natural food sources are pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, nuts and green leafy vegetables.
Thus we have taken a look at the 21 minerals our body must have in order to function properly. Have you noticed how each one of these minerals can be found in the natural foods God has given us to eat? I want to encourage you to get your minerals from the natural food as grown, and not in any supplemental form. Vitamin or mineral supplements are not natural. The synthetic ones are chemicals; and the ones derived from the plant itself are refined in the sense that they are separated from the rest of the vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that were in the plant from the beginning.
If the good Lord would have wanted us to take a calcium pill , He would have created a tree that grew calcium pills. Instead, He created the almond tree, orange tree, etc. to grow almonds and oranges, which are high in calcium.